Residential Week FAQs

by Vashti Turner  on July 31, 2017  in  Parents Trips

Hopefully our arrangements for September are clear to students and parents following the end of year updates, answers to FAQs are provided below for parent reference. If you have any further questions please email info@kaa.org.uk.

When & where are the residentials taking place?

Will there be further information about the residential trips?

We will be holding parent information evenings on the following dates to provide further details of the residential trips and to allow parents to ask any questions they may have:

How do I give consent?

If you are still to respond with your consent form for the (fully funded) residentials in September, please do reply ASAP as we need to confirm numbers for planning purposes. You can do this online by clicking here. If you have any questions at all about the residentials, you can email residentials@kaa.org.uk, or you could wait until the Information Evenings we will be hosting at the beginning of September.

What activities will my child take part in?

These trips have been tailor made for each year group, providing excellent opportunities for students to develop vital team building skills as well as re-inducting our students into life at KAA.

Research shows that residential trips have strong developmental value for students. More than just a fun ‘school trip away’, residential trips for schools are a key part of the national curriculum, creating experiences that enhance pupils’ classroom learning, adding opportunities pupils may not otherwise have, and building confidence and independence. The aim of this programme is to provide a meaningful educational experience for our students, offering our young people the opportunity to take part in a wide range of enrichment opportunities delivered by professional youth coaches, and led by KAA staff.

Students will take part in a variety of team building and adventure activities that aim to challenge and foster resilience. Each year group will take part in a bespoke programme provided by our trusted, high quality providers PGL and Wide Horizons. Depending on the year group, this could include any of the following activities; high ropes course, climbing & abseiling, raft building, orienteering, archery and Jacob’s ladder, as well as team games such as Capture the Flag. These activities will be complemented by sessions run by KAA staff. Year 7 students will learn about KAA expectations, culture and ethos, including taking part in their first ever KAA house competitions. Year 9 & 10 students will also take part in 3 hours of lessons each day.

Year 12 & 13 students will take part in normal AS and A2 lessons during the residential alongside activities provided by the University of Oxford, including lectures from professors, talks on UCAS and admissions and visits to the University museums and collections.

Which staff will be attending the residentials?

Our plan is that form tutors and Directors of Learning will lead the residential for their year group with members of the Senior Leadership Team, which will help strengthen positive relationships between your child and their pastoral team for the year ahead. Any SEN students will of course be supported by teaching assistants throughout.

Who will be running the activities?

Each residential will be led by the Director of Learning for that year group, with lessons delivered to the same high standard as is always provided by KAA teachers. Team building and adventure activities will be run by qualified and experienced PGL or Wide Horizon instructors. Every staff member at each of the centres holds an enhanced CRB check.

During the Sixth Form Oxford residential, lessons will be taught by KAA subject teachers as the week will form the beginning of students’ AS and A2 courses. Other activities will be provided by University of Oxford staff, such as professors, admissions tutors and student ambassadors.

Can I contact the staff on the residential?

Emergency contact numbers for each residential trip are provided below:

What does my child need to bring on the residential?

A detailed kit list can be found here.

What should I do if my child does not have some of the things on the kit list?

The activity centres have a small amount of wellington boots and waterproofs to lend out for students who do not have their own. However, we do recommend bringing your own as availability will be fairly limited.

Can my child bring their mobile phone?

We will be allowing mobile phones to be brought on the Year 7 residential, however, we strongly advise that students do not bring expensive smart phones with them due to the risk of loss or damage.

Students on the Year 8, 9 & 10 residential trips are not allowed to bring phones with them. We will be providing regular communication with parents via the website when necessary.

Will I have to pay for the trip?

The trips are fully funded and therefore require no contribution from parents/guardians.

How much spending money should my child bring?

All meals and activities are provided by the activity centre so there will be limited opportunity for your child to spend money. There will be a small gift/tuck shop at each centre where students can buy snacks and souvenirs, for which we recommend no more than £15 pocket money.

What time will my child need to be at school on the morning of the residential?

All students will be leaving for their residential on Monday 11^th September. Students should arrive at Burlington Danes Primary Academy at the following times:

Year 7 – 10am

Year 8 – 9:15am

Year 9 – 8:15am

Year 10 – 7:15am

Year 12 & 13 – 7:30am

What time will students be returning?

Traffic permitting, we aim to arrive back at Burlington Danes at the following times for each year group:

Year 7 – Friday 15^th Sep, 3:30pm

Year 8 – Friday 15^th Sep, 4:00pm

Year 9 – Wednesday 13^th Sep, 3:00pm

Year 10 – Wednesday 13^th Sep, 4:30pm

Parents will be notified via text if coaches are due to arrive later than scheduled.

I do not want my child to go on the trip, what alternative activities will be provided?

We really hope 100% of our students will come with us on these residential trips. If you have hesitations, we really encourage you to come along to our parents’ information evening taking place on September (see dates above) and we will seek to reassure you. However, if even after hearing all the details you do not want your child to attend, we will be providing an alternative ‘Cultural Experiences Week’ for those students who need to remain here in London.