Year 5 and Year 6 Residential Visit to High Borrans

From Monday 22nd June to Friday 26th June, our Year 5 and Year 6 pupils enjoyed an unforgettable residential visit to High Borrans Outdoor Education Centre in the heart of the Lake District.

The excitement began on Monday morning as we set off from school for our week of adventure. Breaking up the journey with a lunch stop at Talkin Tarn, pupils enjoyed spending time with friends before continuing on to High Borrans. After arriving at the centre, everyone was shown to their rooms, introduced to their activity groups and headed out on a walk to explore the local area and begin settling into their new surroundings.

As the evening approached, pupils were introduced to one of the important parts of residential life – their weekly chores! Everyone was allocated responsibilities to help keep the centre running smoothly and to encourage independence. There was still plenty of time to relax afterwards, with many children making the most of the glorious sunshine by playing football, making friendship bracelets and enjoying the centre grounds with friends.

The rest of the week was packed with exciting and challenging activities. Pupils took part in a range of outdoor adventures, including coastal scrambling, ghyll scrambling, kayaking, canoeing on Lake Windermere, abseiling, a ropes course and orienteering. The programme was carefully designed to provide a fresh experience for those pupils who attended High Borrans last year in Year 5, with abseiling and canoeing on Lake Windermere being brand new additions this year.

The week coincided with a heatwave, making many of the activities even more physically demanding. However, the inclusion of several water-based activities provided welcome opportunities to cool down while still taking on exciting challenges. Pupils showed great maturity in looking after themselves and one another, ensuring they stayed hydrated throughout the week.

The fun certainly didn't end when the daytime activities were over. Each evening brought new opportunities for laughter and team spirit, including the now legendary Mr Fallon's Quiz, a lively bingo night, crafts, games and visits to the ever-popular tuck shop.

Throughout the residential, pupils were challenged both individually and as part of a team. It was wonderful to see confidence grow, resilience develop and teamwork strengthen as the week progressed. Whether supporting each other during a difficult climb, encouraging friends during abseiling, or working together to solve orienteering challenges, the children consistently demonstrated the values we are so proud of at St Stephen's.

The residential was a fantastic way for our Year 6 pupils to round off their time at St Stephen's, creating memories that will stay with them for years to come. At the same time, it provided an excellent introduction for our Year 5 pupils, who embraced every opportunity and gained a real taste of what outdoor adventure and residential life can offer.

We are incredibly proud of every child who attended. Their enthusiasm, determination and positive attitude made the week a tremendous success, and we would like to thank the staff at High Borrans and our accompanying school staff for helping to make the experience so special.