YEAR 9, 10 & 11 RESIDENTIAL EXPERIENCES 2010

 I am writing to inform you about this year's residential visits for pupils. We plan to offer three residential experiences for pupils in year 9, 10 & 11 to choose from.

Two will take place during the week Monday 21st - Friday 25th June, and the third (China) takes place from Friday 18th - Monday 28th June. Parents of Year 11 pupils should note that Friday 25th June is also the official school leaving date and so this will be their last day at school. A brief outline of each residential visit follows below. All pupils will have the opportunity to see photos of the type of activities on offer in a special assembly soon.

 (A) Exmoor Outdoor Adventure Camp (£200 per pupil)

 This residential follows on from the highly successful outdoor adventure camp in Wales last year. We are planning a full and exciting programme of outdoor activities using Dulverton Residential Centre on Exmoor in North Devon as a base. The accommodation is self catering. This year we will have the opportunity to participate in activities such as: raft-building, high ropes course, horse riding & mountain biking as well as rock climbing and a variety of water sports.  We also plan to have a structured programme of evening activities which will include night walks and outdoor games. It is not essential for pupils to be very good in these activities, but it is essential that they are prepared to have a go. For several of the activities, pupils will need to be able to swim 50 metres unaided and be confident in open water with a buoyancy jacket. It is also hoped that the group can stop off for a visit on the way to Exmoor and a shopping trip on the journey home. This residential may not be suitable for any pupil with a physical disability but please check if interested. This week will be very active!

 (B) Center Parcs Experience (£200 per pupil)

 The trip to Center Parcs at Sherwood Forest will be for pupils who prefer a less adventurous week and who would like to have a more relaxing break.

 The week will include some of the following activities:

·          A visit to Cadbury World

·          Swimming at the Subtropical Swimming Paradise

·          A visit to Nottingham Castle and caves

·          Activities in Sherwood Forest

·          A visit to White Post Farm

·          A visit to Stratford Upon Avon

·          Barbecues

·          Activities at Center Parcs including swimming every evening.

A full programme of activities will be confirmed when we have a greater idea of numbers.

Accommodation will be in one of the villas which sleep 5 ~ 8 people.

Food arrangements will be self-catering.

(C) International Vocational Trip to Beijing, China (£250 per pupil)

 Following on from the first two highly successful trips to Beijing in 2008 and 2009, we are planning on taking a third group of youngsters to China from 18th-28th June 2010 (inclusive).

We will be visiting Jinsong School (Catering and Hairdressing) and Dongfang School (Horticulture) again with a view to participating in practical vocational lessons alongside Chinese pupils (pupils do NOT need to have chosen these vocational subjects in order to go to China).

This trip is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to experience Chinese culture, as we will be visiting many of the famous sights. As it is being subsidised by the British Council, we have been able to keep the parental contribution to a flat rate of £250 (to be paid by all parents). This covers all food, accommodation, travel, insurance and entry costs, and so represents excellent value for money.

There are additional costs involved, namely the cost of a British passport (if needed) - about £70, a Chinese entry visa - about £30, innoculations if preferred (these are voluntary), and spending money (£50-£100 recommended).

The group will stay in the Long Ding Hua, a modern, 3-star hotel in Eastern Beijing, and travel whilst there will be by a combination of underground metro, bus, coach, taxi, rickshaw and on foot!

Highlights of the trip will include visiting the Great Wall of China, the Summer Palace, the Forbidden City, the Olympic Stadium and the Temple of Heaven among others. We will also see the world famous Chinese acrobats, and a Kung Fu show.

We will be eating Chinese food wherever possible, guided by our Chinese hosts.

This visit is suitable for pupils with physical difficulties.

We are limited to 10 pupils again, so should this visit be oversubscribed, the final decision on who attends will be made by Mr Lock.