Case Study Walney Transition Residential

Learning Away ResidentialCamp Junior 2 Senior

June 2011

The bags arrive!Two primary schools arrive at the camping site attached to one of the schools. They will stay for two days and a night before the next two schools arrive.

‘The importance of the coordinator role in keeping the camps running smoothly is critical.’ Headteacher

The tent village is createdPupils choose their own companions for sharing a tent and work out how to set it all up.

...all hands on deck

Yay...the tent is up!

Getting to know each other...‘The one girl coming to (secondary school) from (this primary school) knows us now so she’ll get on better when we meet up again.’ Year 6 pupil

Transition SkillsBefore the residential pupils worked together to decide what transition skills could be developed during the trip away.

Sharing our talents...The transition skills recognised by the pupils were well chosen….

‘.. not to shy to express ourselves.’ Year 6 pupil

Effective Teamwork

‘Rock climbing helps you overcome fear so it will help us be brave for next year.’ Year 6 pupil

Looking after each other‘The one girl coming to (secondary school) from (this primary school) knows us now so she’ll get on better when we meet up again.’ Year 6 pupil

Trying new things….‘It will be a bit more interesting because you can keep on learning. You don’t have to stop when you get to a certain level. There’ll be bunson burners too in science.’ Year 6 pupil

Sharing ideas for games...Involving year eight students and year seven staff helped to build relationships with people from the secondary school.

Beads for Transition SkillsDifferent coloured beads are awarded during the residential when transition skills are shown. Both pupils and teachers can award them.

Journey SticksJourney sticks were also used to give each pupil a way to remember their own experience of the residential.

‘Me and my new friend carved our names...’ Year 6 pupil

Reflection timePupils also chose the activities they thought would most help them with their transition skills – including time for reflection.

… and social time …

...and happy times!

The activities‘We introduced the beach and the leisure centre as activity venues as these are both options for families to become involved in during leisure time.’ Camp co-ordinator/TA

‘We took on the climbing wall. It was ‘awesome!’ Year 6 pupil

The fabulous Catering Team...‘Developing capacity by bringing on new staff and giving experienced staff more responsibility allows the camps to meet the demand for new schools to join the cluster until all feeder primaries are involved.’ Headteacher

Time for tea...

Evaluation...Blob TreesAt the end of the first day we evaluated the residential so far.

‘Cool...look what we made...’ Year 6 pupil

‘How great is this place...’ Year 6 pupil

Beads were awarded

Journey Sticks were adjusted

Night time TeambuildingTrusting each other…

Hot chocolate & toasted marshmallowsLots of opportunities for social time built the relationships between new friends from across the schools taking part. The pupils also got to know their teachers in relaxed settings.

Nurse ‘Smith’Staff gained CPD in a range of new skills so that they could run the camps including first aid, driving and catering

Striking campStriking camp highlighted many of the newly acquired transition skills.

‘Come on Miss ………, I’ll help...’ Year 6 pupil

‘I think it goes down like this...’ Year 6 pupil

‘Mum would be proud of me!!’ Year 6 pupil

Beads to bracelets.The beads are threaded onto bracelets. These have been worn with pride well into year seven.

Final evaluationBefore returning to home and school pupils recorded their thoughts about the residential using active reviewing techniques

‘Inside or outside learning, which do you like best?’ Year 6 pupil

‘Do you feel more confident about moving up?’ Primary teacher

Reflecting on our skills...organising our beads..

‘I showed all of these Transition Skills during the camp...’ Year 6 pupil

‘This will help me feel confident at my new school … memories of being brave, joining in, having a go...’ Year 6 pupil

‘Thank you Miss...’ Year 6 pupil

Collecting staff views...‘The organisers have created a staffing structure that allows for a progression of responsibility that is clear to staff and supported with CPD.’ Evaluators

‘That was brilliant but blimey I’m tired!!’ Primary teacher

I hope there was a bead for this for the staff!