Expeditions

We believe in offering the children every opportunity to develop as individuals by providing them with meaningful experiences which lead to greater confidence and success.  ‘Expeditions’ Week’ (which lasts five to eight days and takes place in the last full week of the summer term) is an integral part of this process.  It is very different from anything else offered on the curriculum, in games or activities; and deliberately so.  The expeditions are extra to the normal term charges and vary in price accordingly. The children follow a progression which has evolved over many years.

Year Three

Daily trips to places of interest of an educational and fun nature. This year, the children enjoyed a variety of visits that included the Countryside Educational Trust, Hurst Castle, the New Forest Centre, The Verderers’ Court and the RNLI’s lifeboat station at Lymington.

Year Four

The whole year group undertakes various trips and activities whilst camping in the safety of the school grounds. The main emphasis of ’Lodge Camp’ (as it is called) is for the children to develop their independence and to promote and improve their team-building skills. Individual Log Books frequently record that very few want to go home at the end of the week.

Year Five

The year group is divided into two or three different expeditions each of which head further afield to camp and to take the opportunity of visiting sites of interest in that area. In recent years, the children of Year Five have been to locations on the Isle of Wight, Devon, Cornwall and Norfolk.

Year Six

The whole year group is based at a recognised Outward Bound Centre (Skern Lodge in North Devon for example), sleeping in their accommodation and undertaking activities of a physical and testing nature to fulfil the requirements for the National Curriculum.

Year Seven

This year group travels to the school’s own accommodation in Mull, Scotland where they undertake an exciting and stimulating Leadership Course designed to prepare all of the children for their final year. It is at Mull that many children demonstrate their suitability and potential to become Patrol Leaders and Prefects.

Year Eight

The children’s final Expeditions’ Week and whilst they always have a fabulous and memorable time, there is also some poignancy as they prepare to leave Hordle Walhampton. In 2010, Year Eight had a fantastic time on an Outward Bound expedition to North Wales where they engaged in kayaking, white water rafting, wind-surfing, riding, climbing, walking and many other adventures.