Year 5 and Year 6 High Borrans Residential

In the summer term, our Year 5 and Year 6 pupils swapped their classrooms for the stunning hills and lakes of the Lake District on an unforgettable residential trip to High Borrans. Over the course of the week, the children challenged themselves, discovered new strengths, and made memories to last a lifetime. 

From the moment they arrived, the spirit of adventure kicked in! We split into three groups, with each group following a similar programme of activities. The trip was packed with exciting outdoor activities, including caving, where pupils squeezed through dark tunnels and explored underground caverns like real explorers. They showed real bravery and teamwork as they faced the unknown with only the light on their helmets to illuminate the path!  

Another highlight was the High Borrans ropes course, where children climbed, balanced, and zipped their way through tricky high wires. Everyone pushed themselves to try new things, even if it felt a little scary at first. The cheers and encouragement from friends as they worked in partnership was a joy to see.  

On the water, pupils took part in raft canoeing and kayaking, where they worked in teams to paddle across the High Borrans tarn. They learned how to steer, communicate, and (most importantly) stay afloat, although the day wouldn’t have been complete without getting wet jumping off the jetty!   

The group also explored the beauty of the Lake District on several walks including Orrest Head, Stickle Ghyll, Gummers Howe and Humphrey Head. Year 6 took part in a 2-hour independent walk where children took more responsibility for navigating and keeping the group together with only walkie-talkies to communicate with their group leaders. It was a fantastic way for them to show how much they had learned and grown during the week. 

A big part of the trip was about building independence and resilience. Pupils were responsible for looking after their own equipment and belongings, which meant remembering where their things were, keeping kit dry, and packing for each day’s adventure. It wasn’t always easy, but by the end of the week, we started to see the pupils had become more organised, confident, and ready to tackle challenges head-on. 

Teachers were incredibly proud of how well the children supported each other, worked as a team, and took responsibility for themselves. High Borrans wasn’t just about outdoor fun — it was about growing up, stepping out of comfort zones, and realising they are capable of more than they believe they are!  

Well done, Year 5 and Year 6 — you were amazing ambassadors for our school, and we can't wait to see how you bring your new skills back into the classroom!