Dear Parents and Carers,

Thank you to those of you who came to one of the meetings last week where the initial plans and options for the September 2024 Year 5 and 6 Residential Visit were put forward. It was great that 36 families attended. Both meetings were very positive.

The planning and preparation for a residential visit takes a significant amount of time, so the purpose of this ParentMail letter is to share the information with everyone. A copy of the PowerPoint used in the meetings is attached.

At Yapton C. of E. Primary School, our curriculum is led by our vision of ‘Living life it all its fullness.’ As well as areas such as Gymnastics, Games and Dance, the P.E. curriculum includes ‘Outdoor and Adventurous Activities.’ This is delivered in school, but we aim to enhance this through the Year 5 and 6 Residential Visit to the Adur Outdoor Activity Centre, in Shoreham-on-Sea.

The centre is a fully secure and relatively small site situated right next to the River Adur. Activities on offer include water sports such as kayaking, canoeing and stand up paddle boarding as well as different land sports such as indoor climbing, bouldering, low ropes, archery, mountain biking, orienteering and problem solving.

All the instructors and staff at the centre are fully qualified in the activities they will lead as well as being first aid trained and hold an enhanced DBS check.

The children will sleep in teepee style tents and all meals (apart from a packed lunch on the first day) are provided. All dietary requirements are catered for.

A typical full day consists of breakfast, 2 activities in the morning, lunch, 2 activities in the afternoon, dinner and then an activity in the evening.

During the meeting, 2 options for the residential visit were proposed.

Option 1: A 2-night stay (Wednesday 11th – Friday 13th September 2024)

The children would come to school at the normal time

We would leave school during the morning so that we would arrive at the centre in time for the children to be welcomed to the, find their tents, get acclimatised to the centre before eating their packed lunch and then enjoying an afternoon of activities.

On day 3, the children will arrive back here at school before the end of the school day so that they will be collected at the normal time.

Option 2: A 1-night stay (Thursday 12th – Friday 13th September 2024)

This option would include the same number of activities. However, it would include an earlier departure time (before the school day) and then a later arrival time back at school (after the end of the school day). There would not be the opportunity for the children to get settled in to their new environment. Our first visit to the centre a few years ago followed this format and to be honest it felt very rushed.

The estimated costs are:

• Option 1 – £220

• Option 2 – £150

  Both estimated include all the activities, board and lodgings and transport to and from the centre by coach. It is a legal requirement for the school to waive the board and lodging costs to families who are entitled to Free School Meals.

  A non-refundable deposit of £50 to be paid by the end of September 2023 will secure a place for your child. A monthly payment plan would then be set up to clear the remaining balance by July 2024. Families may choose to pay the full balance in one go; others may choose to pay in different installments.

  We are fully aware that we continue to live in challenging financial times. However, as a school, we cannot afford to run this residential visit at a financial loss. Our school budget is extremely tight. We know any payments made are voluntary contributions, but we do not want to be in a position where the residential visit is cancelled due to lack of payments made. If this was to happen, the deposits would be lost.

  The children who have already been on this residential visit have thoroughly enjoyed themselves being away from home and experiencing lots of new challenges. They have learned more about themselves as well as their friends.

  If you did not come to either of the meetings last week, I would very much appreciate an indication of which option you prefer. Please could you let me know using the office2@yaptonschool email address by 9am on Thursday 20th July. If you have any questions about the information shared so far, please use this address as well.

  If you wish to not allow your child to participate in this visit, they would be expected to be in school. This would then affect the estimated costs as the cost of the coaches would need to be shared by a smaller number of children going.

  A decision on which option we will go for will be made once your preferences have been sent back to the school.

  The September 2024 Residential Visit will then be officially launched early in September 2023.

  Kind regards

  Chris Hughes

  Deputy Headteacher