School residentials are an exciting time for students and teachers alike – which is why it’s so important to ensure ample preparation is done to make the experience as smooth and fun as possible. To help you get started, we’ve put together a list of considerations to make when you’re thinking about how to plan for your next school residential – whether it’s the first or one of many! Continue reading to find out more about how to prepare for your trip and how to get the most out of the activities. With so many activities to choose from, you’ll have plenty to think about to give your students the residential of a lifetime.
Organisation
When considering a residential school trip, it’s important to be as organised as possible to ensure a smooth excursion – particularly when you’ve got the responsibility of a number of students. Research is paramount to understanding the environment you’ll be staying in, the activities your students can partake in and any health and safety considerations that need to be taken into account. Leaving this until the last minute can lead to missing out on deals or missing out on the location you want. Organise any paperwork that you’ll need to take with you so that you are prepared and know exactly what the trip will entail.
Planning
It’s essential to plan your trip, looking into potential activities and locations you can take your students to. This is particularly important for health and safety, so that the potential risks can be taken into consideration and a risk assessment can be conducted. At this point, you may want to arrange a meeting with the parents, where they can ask questions and fully understand what is planned and what will happen. School residentials are valuable educational and social resources, therefore it’s important that the parents understand this from the outset. Some parents may not be convinced, but it is a good opportunity to help them see the benefits for their child – especially those that may be lacking in confidence.
Budgeting
Budget is good to consider so you know exactly what you can afford for both activities and accommodation. You may also need to consider food and drink for the length of time you are away. It’s a good idea to draw up a list of all of your costs, so you know roughly how much you’re going to be spending on each person on the trip. This allows you time to raise funds for the trip, whether the parents contribute to the excursion or there’s a budget from the school.
Look for Inspiration
As school residentials are good for education, it’s important to look into activities and locations that will provide the most enrichment for the students. When meeting with the parents, it’s a good idea to broach the subject with them – where do they think their children will enjoy the most? Researching popular locations, with engaging activities, can provide a memorable experience for the students that will build their confidence, engage them in social activities and create memories that they’ll treasure. Take a look at other residentials that the school has gone on in the past to see if they’d fit in with the plans you have.
Look to the Experts
Ringing ahead to the experts can help you understand what’s on offer – what kinds of activities are available, how much it’ll cost, who the staff members are and so on. They will be able to guide you on some of the best activities for your students, tailored to your requirements and what you’d like to do. It’s ideal to talk through your ideas for what you’d like to gain from the excursion to help you make the most of the residential.
Pack for the Trip
One of the most important considerations is what to pack when you go on a school residential. Depending on the destination and time of year, you will need to be sensible with what you pack – for example, if it’s going to rain, pack waterproofs and spare clothing so that you remain comfortable throughout the day. It’s essential to create a packing list so that parents fully understand what their child needs to pack, especially if they need medication to take with them.
School Residential Activities with PEAK
School residentials can provide the perfect enrichment for students, which allows them to experience activities that they may not have had an opportunity to do before. At PEAK, we offer a range of bespoke school residential activities that will cater to every student’s needs. If you’d like to find out more about our school residentials and what we have to offer, get in touch with us today and we’d be happy to talk through our activities and which would be best for your students.
