School name: St Martin’s School - Northwood
School motto/mision: Be prepared
School's website: www.stmartins.org.uk/
Favourite activities: Being outside and exploring, watching the campfire being lit, lighting cotton wool
“Some boys were nervous, especially at night… The same boys were up bright and sparky today and you can see a positive change in them.” – Susan Williams, Head of Juniors
St Martin’s School – Northwood recently embarked on an exciting 1-night residential with Rootd Adventure, becoming the very first group to stay in our brand new Pod Village in Hertfordshire. It was a fun-filled adventure that saw forty-three Year 3 pupils (aged 7–8) dive into the outdoors, build resilience, and experience a new level of comfort in our beautiful pod accommodation.
Why St.Martin’s School Chose Rootd
When planning their residential, St Martin’s were looking for something that ticked all the right boxes. Location was key—close enough to school, but still offering a proper ‘away from home’ feel. The accommodation and activities also had to suit the young cohort of boys, with support from the provider being an important factor.
Rootd’s friendly, responsive booking team made the whole process simple and stress-free, answering all questions quickly and helping the school feel confident in the lead-up to their trip.
“Very helpful with booking, any question I had was quickly answered. Responded to emails promptly.”
– Susan Williams, Head of Juniors / Year 3 Teacher
St.Martin’s School Trip Objectives
The school had clear goals in mind for their Year 3 residential trip:
- Encourage independence and resilience
- Promote teamwork and collaboration
- Provide outdoor learning that ties in with the science curriculum
- Help children experience nature in a fun, hands-on way.
Rootd’s programme delivered on all fronts. For some of the boys, it was their first time away from home – especially overnight – but they took the challenge in their stride. One night under the stars (in the pods!) led to noticeable boosts in confidence and positivity.
“Some boys were nervous, especially at night… The same boys were up bright and sparky today and you can see a positive change in them.”
Whether it was building shelters, carrying bags together, or keeping their pods tidy, pupils showed impressive collaboration and pride in their achievements.
Standout Moments for the Boys
The teaching staff highlighted that the group especially loved:
- Sleeping in the Pod Village
- Being outside and exploring
- The magical campfire experience
- Using torches and lighting cotton wool
One of the highlights observed was watching the campfire being lit—a moment of wonder that sparked excitement across the group.
Inaugural Visitors to our cosy Pod Village
As the debut school in our Pod Village, St Martin’s had the full experience—and we’re glad to report that it was a hit!
What the pupils thought:
The pods were a clear favourite. The children loved the storage space, how roomy they felt, and the novelty of staying somewhere so unique.
What the teachers thought:
“OMG! Beautiful, felt very luxurious.”
“Bathroom in the pods was a godsend.”
“Lovely heating—was toasty warm in all parts of the pod.”
“With sofa areas that made socialising easier and smart features like heating and in-pod bathrooms, the pods made a big impression”
“The Teacher fire circle was also very welcome.”
Most importantly, teachers fed back that having everyone together in one place helped staff patrol the site and check-in on pupils more easily.
Tailored School Trip Experience
Compared to previous trips with other providers, Rootd’s format stood out. The experience felt bespoke and age-appropriate, with plenty of hands-on engagement and less downtime. That’s part of the Root’d Difference.
“It’s not all go go go… which is what we have experienced with other providers.”
There was also a good balance between structured activities and free time in the pods—something that helped the children settle and feel at home.
What Year 3 from St.Martin’s School Took Home
- A deeper knowledge of the natural world
- Memories of resilience and independence
- Stronger bonds between classmates
The trip proved to be a perfect first residential for the school’s youngest pupils—fun, engaging, educational, and filled with character-building moments.