Year 6 Residential at Willersley Castle

By Mrs Lisa Finch, Head of Prep

A Journey of Adventure and Fun

Last week, Year 6 pupils had the chance to embark on a thrilling residential trip to Willersley Castle in Derbyshire, where they stayed in the Castle Mews and experienced four days filled with adventure, challenge, and memories that will last a lifetime.
From high-flying zip lines to the calm of canoeing along the river, the students participated in a variety of exciting activities. Highlights included high element challenges that tested their courage, axe throwing, archery, and the chance to conquer the river with tubing and kayaking. Not to mention, the unforgettable experience of grass sledging and the blind trail, which had everyone relying on their senses and teamwork.

One of the most memorable evenings took place around a campfire, where the children sang songs, played games, and enjoyed magical tricks and marshmallow toasting. And of course, no campfire experience is complete without s’mores! Laughter echoed through the night as friends bonded over these shared moments.
The teachers who joined the trip—Mrs. Finch, Ms. Sturgeon, Miss Mee, and Mr. Wright—were full of energy and enthusiasm, with Miss Mee showing some acrobatic flair (or should we say, ‘flair for falling’?) during the grass sledging competition. Mr. Wright, meanwhile, was a great sport after losing to the pupils in rifle shooting, performing an impromptu ten-minute song as his forfeit. (The instructor might have helped the children win just a little!). Ms Sturgeon demonstrated her own bravery on all activities, and Mrs Finch was the resident photographer and videographer, capturing special moments and highlights to share with parents throughout the visit.
The trip was not just about the activities though; it was a chance for the children to step outside of their comfort zones and embrace new challenges. Whether it was tackling a fear of heights or working together to navigate the blind trail, the trip gave everyone the opportunity to grow, gain confidence, and make unforgettable memories. When asked about the trip, the pupil feedback was very positive:

William B “It was a very fun experience with loads of exciting activities from rifle shooting to river tubing.”
May J “The trip was really enjoyable and the river tubing was an adrenaline-filled challenge!”
Overall, the Year 6 residential at Willersley Castle was a wonderful success, with pupils not only discovering new skills and having fun but also strengthening the bonds of friendship and teamwork. It was a few days filled with laughter, adventure, and a lot of learning along the way.