School name: Harris Academy Beckenham
School motto/mision: Aspire, Discover, Achieve
School's website: www.harrisbeckenham.org.uk
Favourite activities: Archery, Climbing, Bushcraft, Knife Skills, Team Games
“The students enjoyed building friendships and completing challenges with students they don’t usually work with. They also loved the Rootd staff!”
Celebrating the first year of secondary school and bringing students together was the aim for Beckenham-based Harris Academy when they chose Rootd for their Year 7 one-night residential trip.
Through group challenges and outdoor survival activities, they wanted to encourage new friendships, build closer bonds within the year group and make some amazing Year 7 memories.
Prioritising teamwork
As Rootd guided the Harris Academy teaching staff through the booking process and attended their parent information evening, they got a good understanding of the school’s aspirations for the trip.
It was clear that incorporating activities that encouraged teamwork and collaboration was a priority, so that the Year 7s could mix with a wider group of peers and make new connections.
The school was also keen to include Rootd’s bushcraft sessions in the activity programme, seeing them as a great opportunity for students to learn some important outdoor survival skills – something they thought would inspire this age group.
Group challenges
Rootd’s tailored activity programme met these objectives brilliantly, with the bushcraft activities quick to capture the Year 7 students’ imaginations.
Learning new outdoor survival skills such as shelter building, knife skills and fire making, students worked together to develop their new talents and achieve success as a group. And when it was time for a burst of adrenaline, the Cresta Toboggan Run was the ideal way for students to make some fun-filled memories together!
Chill out time
Some of the best bonds are made in the quieter moments, when children have time to simply chill out together. So Rootd made sure students had plenty of time to relax in the chill out area at the end of the day. With table tennis and other games to hand, it was the perfect space for the students to unwind.
And once they were well rested, a talent show was the perfect way for students to share their interests and skills!
A glowing report
The Harris Academy teaching staff thought the trip was a great success. They really valued the experience of the Rootd staff and their contribution to making it such a memorable experience.
Grant Shone, Head of Harris Academy’s Year 7, has been on previous residential trips with Rootd. He said: “The staff are brilliant and are what sets Rootd apart from other trip providers. They are open with their communication, consistent with their delivery and make it as easy as possible for us.”
He also found the trip to be a great teambuilding experience for the year group, with the activities well-suited to Year 7s, saying: “The activities were fantastic and challenged students to use their key skills. They were kept busy throughout their stay, and it was an excellent bonding experience for the group.”
Recommended without hesitation
And would Grant recommend Rootd to other members of the Harris Federation?
“Absolutely! I would suggest they book. We’ve been coming for three years and have never been disappointed.”
We look forward to welcoming the Harris Academy and other members of the Harris Federation back next year!