Inspiring residential trips for secondary schools

Support your KS3 students to become confident and resilient learners

A Rootd residential trip for secondary schools gives students the chance to unplug from screens, switch off from daily distractions and discover just how much they can thrive together in the outdoors.

Through a wide range of adventure activities, students gain practical hands-on experience while developing core life skills, such as problem solving and teamwork. And most importantly, they have a great time, forging new friendships and building a real sense of community across the year group.

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Rootd Residential Trips for Secondary Schools to ease transition

With group activities that boost teamwork and inspire collaboration, a Rootd residential is the perfect way to bring students together in nature - encouraging new friendships and creating a strong sense of community as a year group.

An autumn residential at the start of Year 7 can form a valuable part of the settling-in experience for students, helping them to widen their friendship group and make new connections. It can also be a great way to celebrate the end of their first year at secondary school in the summer months, whilst giving teachers the opportunity to get to know students better and identify their strengths and skills.

What’s included in a Rootd secondary school residential trip?

With our flexible activity programmes, we offer a number of options to help you meet your trip objectives:

1. A one-night adventure

On this one-night action-packed residential, children take part in a range of team-building challenges such as buggy building, climbing and shelter building, before relaxing together around the campfire with some evening entertainment.

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2. A two-night adventure

On this two-night three-day residential, pupils enjoy even more activities through a combination of survival sessions, adrenaline-fuelled activities and team challenges. The extra night allows for more evening games and time around the campfire with friends.

Download an example programme

3. A bushcraft adventure

On a one or two-night bushcraft residential, students learn practical skills to help them thrive in the natural environment, such as shelter building, camouflage and concealment and fire lighting, before enjoying evening entertainment and hot chocolate around the campfire.

Download an example programme

Over 95% of schools choose to return to Rootd, confident that every trip will be a success

Discover the Rootd difference and find out why

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Character-building activities

Our activities are carefully designed to challenge and motivate KS3 students. From high ropes to potholing, they’re a great way to help students build confidence and resilience, while supporting your school’s character education.

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Our bushcraft activities

Team activities put students’ survival skills to the test as they try their hand at shelter building, fire lighting, campfire cooking and other survival challenges. Together they learn essential skills to help them thrive in the great outdoors.

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Activities with EDGE

Designed around the English Outdoor Council’s ten outcomes of high-quality outdoor education, our EDGE Framework ensures that every activity meets a range of outdoor learning objectives. When you enquire, we’ll discuss the objectives for your trip and recommend a programme to meet them.

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Inspiring accommodation

With a choice of woodland pods and spacious bell tents, our accommodation gives you an immersive outdoor experience in a safe and manageable setting. Students experience the fun of sleeping close to nature with the convenience of nearby facilities, such as night-time toilets and a dedicated shower block.

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Secondary school trips

Rootd staff are brilliant and make it so easy for us

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.
G Shone, Head of Year 7, Harris Beckenham

Every child can be themselves

The woods don't differentiate, every child can be themselves. Bushcraft teaches soft skills and life skills. Students have the freedom to be outside in the elements which is so sadly lacking in some of their lives
D Mullett, Head of Year 7, Parmiters School

Enjoyed watching our students find new limits

I loved it. I felt complete trust in the Rootd staff and was able to sit back and enjoy watching our students find new limits. Read the case study
P Ball, Head of Year 8 at Ryde School with Upper Chine

New friendships, positive relationships and pride in achievements

We are already seeing the impact of our Rootd Adventure now we are back at school in the new friendships that are formed, positive relationships with new teachers being built and the girls having pride in all that they have achieved.
Read the case study
R Halke, Assistant Principal at Harris Girls' School

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Secondary school residential trips close to London

When you choose a Rootd secondary school residential trip, there are no long coach journeys with students cooped up on a coach for hours. Our woodland locations are conveniently close to London.

Our Hertfordshire activity centre

Located just north of Watford, set in 95 acres of meadows and natural woodland, our Hertfordshire activity centre is within easy reach of the M1 and M25. Quick travel times means more time spent enjoying and exploring the outdoors.

Accommodation for all seasons

With tents for six, complete with bunk beds and a fun chill out area, our bell tent village is a great option for spring and summer. Throughout autumn and winter, students love getting cosy in our fully equipped lodges and woodland pods.

Here’s a summary of what makes a Rootd secondary school trip stand out

A programme tailored to your needs
A choice of 1-night adventures to 3-night stays
Bushcraft, survival and adventure activities designed to create independent learners
Professional instructors to lead all activities
Flexible indoor and outdoor accommodation for year-round adventures
Nutritious meals that cater to dietary requirements
A full programme of evening activities