From visits to the local beach to week-long residential trips to France, school trips play an important part in school life at Spring Grove School. Experiences that take children out of the classroom – and sometimes out of their comfort zone – are an important part of the school’s growth mindset learning. A well-chosen trip can support and extend learning, while adding new perspectives and excitement to a topic. 

Many of the trips are to local destinations such as Canterbury Cathedral, Samphire Hoe or Chatham Docks. To support their learning about China in Year 2, the children visit a Chinese restaurant in Ashford (and experience eating with chopsticks!). A visit to Hever Castle brings a new perspective to Year 4’s Tudor projects. For the younger children, the journey, packed lunch and a visit to the gift shop are often just as exciting as the outing itself! 

Spring Grove also runs week-long residential trips further afield for children in Years 5 and 6, to a chateau in Normandy and a watersports centre in Gloucestershire. These trips are often the first time a child has been away from home for any length of time and offer a taste of independence. As one of our Year 5 pupils said, “I tried out canoeing and bread making, I helped out in the mini farm, and I was so sad to leave the Chateau… but I’ll have great memories of our trip.”

Spring Grove’s next open morning is on Saturday 11 March, register and find out more at springgroveschool.co.uk

Minds Matter

New Beacon give us the lowdown on their forthcoming Mental Health Masterclass Ask any teacher about the impact of Covid and lockdowns on children’s development and it will not be long before the words ‘anxiety’ and ‘focus’ make an appearance....

Creature Comforts

From rugby-loving donkeys to an immortalised duck, we’ve enjoyed hearing all about Saint Ronan’s school farm We opened our school farm with the aim to have a few rescue chickens – modest and easy to maintain. Our first batch of...

Meet Matthew Bryan, Headmaster at Longacre School

From chart-topping ex-pupils to psychology podcasts, we get to know Matthew Bryan, Headmaster at Longacre School What makes Longacre school special? It’s a combination of the people and the ethos. The children are so lucky to come here, but equally...