Coastal Adventures and Character Building

We have recently welcomed back our Year 8 students from their four day outdoor residential trip to Swanage in Dorset. This was the first time we have run this specific trip with the outdoor education company Land and Wave, and it has proved to be a highly rewarding addition to our calendar. While our community back home in Woodley was dealing with a significant heatwave, our students were making the most of the cool coastal breezes, testing their personal limits and building new friendships along the way.

For prospective families considering secondary schools in Woodley or Reading, this brand new residential highlights the kind of extra-curricular opportunities we offer to support student wellbeing. 

Coastal Games and Overcoming Challenges at Sea

The adventure began immediately upon arrival in Dorset, with the students heading straight down to the beach to cool down with sea games and bodyboarding. The first evening set a positive tone for the rest of the week, featuring a Mini Olympics on the campsite and a sensory night line obstacle course. During this blindfolded trail, it was wonderful to see the students giggling and guiding each other through the trees, demonstrating care and communication.

As the heatwave peaked, our staff worked flexibly to adjust the schedule to keep everyone safe and comfortable. The main highlight for many was coasteering at Dancing Ledge. Kitted out in wetsuits, helmets and buoyancy aids, our students scrambled over coastal rocks, swam in the sea and challenged themselves to jump from high ledges into the water. Students showed immense resilience, looking out for their peers and pushing past their comfort zones. Both activity groups also enjoyed plenty of time on a giant slip and slide and participated in a series of lighthearted Taskmaster games to stay out of the midday sun.

Exploring Castles and Mastering Bushcraft Skills

After a couple of active days in the water, the focus shifted toward land adventures. The group enjoyed a scenic hike to see the historic ruins of Corfe Castle before heading into the shaded protection of the local woods. Under the canopy of the trees, our students participated in a hands-on bushcraft skills extravaganza.

The students spent the afternoon learning traditional woodland crafts under the guidance of the camp instructors. They practised safe knife handling, built dens, experimented with fire lighting and tried their hand at axe throwing. A particularly popular session involved whittling wooden mushrooms, which required great focus and patience. Throughout the trail and the workshops, the students were accompanied by our school mascot, Bully the Bull, who made regular appearances in our daily photo updates.

After some overnight rain and thunder cleared the air on the final evening, the students packed up their camp and enjoyed one final morning of sea activities before boarding the coaches back to Berkshire.

The journey home featured an amusing, if slightly unharmonious, choral masterclass led by Mr Chandler, who tried to teach the coach the chorus of American Pie. While the singing might need some refinement, the trip itself was a resounding success. The Land and Wave instructors were quick to praise the group, commenting specifically on the excellent manners, high effort and positive attitude displayed by our students.

Strengthening the Bulmershe School Community

This residential trip perfectly illustrates the Bulmershe way of developing the whole child. By removing young people from their normal routines and technology, they are encouraged to discover hidden strengths and build stronger bonds with their classmates and teachers.

Thank You to Our Team

An enrichment opportunity of this size relies entirely on the dedication of our staff. We would like to say a huge thank you to Miss Bishop for leading the trip, and to Mr Chandler, Mr Tomas, Mr Morden, Miss Hook and Mr Maree for their energy and support throughout the week. Our teachers had to face their own fears and push themselves physically alongside the students, and we are very grateful for their commitment.

We hope to run this residential for many years to come, ensuring it becomes a stable tradition for future cohorts. If you would like to find out more about our supportive environment, please explore our website to find out how to visit our school.