As the days get colder and the nights darker, Learning Away, the consortium behind the successful #BrilliantResidentials campaign, have launched their new #WinterResidentials campaign to spread the word about the benefits of school residential trips during the winter months.
Based on evidence collected through previous winter residentials supported by the Learning Away programme, they have found that benefits of #WinterResidentials include:
Benefit 1: Boost resilience and wellbeing
Residentials improve students’ resilience, self-confidence and wellbeing. Students are more willing to try something new and ask for help, push themselves and participate in class. Imagine teaching a class with more self-belief for the rest of the school year after going on a winter residential.
87% of secondary students felt more confident to try new things after a residential.
Benefit 2: Increase engagement with learning
Residentials improve students’ engagement with learning, including positive changes in behaviour and attendance. Going on a winter residential will give them a passion for learning which can live on throughout the year.
72% of primary pupils said that their behaviour at school is better after a residential and 71% of secondary pupils felt more strongly motivated to learn.
Benefit 3: Embed learning back in school
Going on winter residentials allows time for learning and development to be embedded back in school. We know residentials have a long term impact on students’ progress and attainment when followed up on their return to school.
77% of pupils said the way they were taught on the residential will help them do better in the subject in question.
Benefit 4: Foster deeper relationships
Residentials foster deeper relationships which are sustained back in school. The sooner a teacher gets to know their pupils, the sooner they can ‘set them up for success’. Winter residentials allow relationships between staff and students to become more trusting and respectful back in the classroom. Students get to know teachers as individuals; staff gain a better understanding of their students and how to respond to them.
79% of primary pupils said they know their teacher better as a result of their residential and 84% of secondary students said they get on better with others in their class.
Benefit 5: Discover new learning opportunities
The longer nights and shorter days offer new learning opportunities on an outdoor residential. Try out star gazing, or a torch walk. The beginning of the school year is also a great time of year to kick start key subjects with inspiring hands on learning indoors.
Benefit 6: Greater return on investment
Winter residentials can also be more affordable giving schools the benefit of a greater return on investment. Why not have a sleep-over in the school hall or within the school grounds to keep costs low? Many residential providers have reduced rates or offer discounts over the winter period.
The campaign is supported with a range of resources, including a video, infographics, materials and templates to help residential providers to promote the benefits of #WinterResidentials. You can find these on the Learning Away website, as well as plenty of ideas and tips for winter residentials and activities to do whilst on them, such as astronomy and DIY Winter Olympics!
If your school traditionally runs residentials at the end of the academic year during the summer months, why not consider a winter residential instead? Learning Away raise very good points about the skills and relationships developed on winter residentials being able to be carried through the remainder of the academic year. Whereas summer residentials may see these fade over the long six week summer holiday. On top of this, potential lower costs are always a bonus for both schools and parents/guardians!
For residential venue ideas, use HandsamSchoolTripsAdvisor’s venue search tool which has the ability to filter by residential or not. You can find this on the homepage.
