A week away from home on a residential stay during the summer holidays could help children feel more confident about the prospect of transitioning from primary to secondary school in the autumn, says outdoor education provider Kingswood.
Steve Anderson, head of activities at Kingswood, said: “During the summer holidays, children can get stuck in a routine of repetitive indoor activities such as video games and watching TV. That’s why a week away from home could be the perfect way to get ready before school starts in September.
“A residential trip with classmates, taking part in outdoor activities and learning through our award-winning life-changing adventures would give them the tools and life-skills they need for a strong start to the academic year.”
The transition from primary to secondary school, which brings with it a change of scenery and the prospect of making new friends, can be a daunting prospect for many children.
Anderson believes that while a week away from home might feel like “jumping in at the deep end”, it can help children feel more independent, improve their interactions with others and tackle problem solving and help them build essential life skills, from making breakfast to planning their day.
Do you use residentials to help with the transition from primary to secondary school? We’d love to hear from you and your experiences, comment below.
He added: “We see so many friendships blossom every day at our camps. It’s wonderful to observe that natural ability of finding a common connection with children. They often make friends without even realising it.”
With children facing a wide range of pressures at secondary school, including stress about exams and those associated with around-the-clock social media, outdoor education can inspire children to try new things in a safe and fun way.
It’s this “trial and error” which builds resilience, says Anderson, adding: “It’s important that children are given the opportunity to ‘fail’ and recover so that they are able to cope with life’s obstacles and learn how to overcome set-backs to be successful.”
Residential visits were suspended during most of the pandemic however the Department for Education confirmed in May that they would once again be permitted in line with the Government’s roadmap, subject to certain conditions.
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