Activities Week
Summer 2022
Monday 27th June - Friday 31st 2022
Monday 27th June - Friday 31st 2022
Activities Week is a Latymer Upper School tradition which has existed for over 60 years. In the last full week of the academic year, all pupils (except those doing public exams) participate in activities chosen from a long and varied list. Latymerians re-visiting school frequently speak fondly of their experiences gained on Activities Week.
Activities are challenging and ask the pupils to step out of their comfort zone in a new and unfamiliar environment. Many are residential and are based all over the UK and Europe. Over 30 trips go out, ranging from outward bound trips in Devon and Snowdonia, to hiking Mont Blanc, climbing the Juarassic coast, fashion design in London or surfing in Cornwall. There are skill-based activities such as learning cookery skills, scuba diving, sailing, creative writing workshops with published authors and acting workshops in London’s theatres and opera houses, as well as community based activities with a local primary school.
Please find below details of the activities, arranged into Year group clusters for ease of selection. Please note the duration of each activity, the member of staff leading the trip and cost for each are also highlighted. In no order of priority or preference, we ask parents to select four different activities that they would be happy for their child to attend. Please submit your choice selections by replying to the Activities Week email in School Post by Thursday 3rd November 2022.
Trip allocations will be communicated to students and parents before the Christmas holidays. There will not be an option to swap unless a medical or personal emergency so please ensure you chose a trip you are happy to go on. You will be sent a letter from the trip leader with further details of the trip at this point. In May, you will receive a kit list and any other important information, and approximately two weeks prior to departure you will receive clarification on timings of the trip. Students will meet the week before to go through all important information and to meet everyone on their trip and the teachers accompanying them.
We hope that you enjoy your trip!
Scroll down to view activities - please take care to ensure your activity selections correspond to your child's specific Year group.
Outdoor-Adventure- Action
To see the 2022 trip - blog and images click here
Y7 Residential
Monday - Friday £490
Miss Case
Dartmoor is the largest National Park in Southern England. Its rugged beauty has attracted visitors for generations and Latymer has been going there for Activities Week for over 40 years. We will be staying at Okehampton YHA on the northern edge of the moor. Activities will include rock climbing, cycling, gorge scrambling, pony trekking, mountain boarding, kayaking, canoeing, raft building, high ropes, axe throwing and camp fires. The best bits of all the trips rolled into one! All the activities are supervised by experts in a safe environment and the week is always a memorable adventure. On successful completion of the week you will officially become a Dartmoor Dynamo!
Culture-Action-Exploring
To see the 2022 trip - blog and images click here
Y7 Non Residential
Monday - Friday £325
Mr Mitropoulos-Monk
Tired of London? It can be easy to take for granted just how exciting and varied the city we all call home is. This trip aims to give you an exciting taste of London’s rich variety. Each day is centred around a different location and theme. For example, there will be an east London street art day, culminating in a graffiti workshop. In north London, you will explore Camden Market, Hampstead Heath and more. We will have a central London theatre day, taking in a backstage tour before seeing a live show. Our west London sports day features climbing, stand-up paddle boarding on the Thames and a yoga wind-down. This is a fantastic opportunity to reawaken your love of London and try something different every day. This trip may suit those who have mid-week evening commitments in London, or do not wish to undergo a residential activities week trip yet.
Watersports- Action- Physical
To see the 2022 trip - blog and images click here
Y7 & Y8 Residential
Monday - Friday, £590
Mrs Smith
Come to the Isle of Wight, the heart of the yachting world, for a thrill seekers marine week away! This week offers a huge variety of activities including dinghy sailing, keelboat sailing, paddle boarding, kayaking and team games. The outstanding staff at UKSA (United Kingdom Sailing Association) believe in the power of sailing to inspire and make a positive change. There will be plenty to get involved with, on and off the water, including a full programme of evening entertainment to keep students focused, engaged and active. Before lights out, students can wind down in the entertainment zone with pool tables, games, a lounge and kitchen areas. UKSA also has an indoor heated swimming pool, TV lounge and outdoor seating areas overlooking fantastic views of the water. The week at UKSA is about challenge, making new friends and having fun!
Adventure-Horse Riding-Animals
This is a new trip for 2023 but click here for more information
Y7 Residential
Monday - Friday, £650
Mrs Maclean
Take to the saddle and immerse yourself in a week at the stables where you will learn to finesse your riding and horsemanship skills. Open to complete beginners and also to those riders with good prior experience, the week will give you insight into the wonderful world of horse-riding and horse care, which will leave you galloping off into the beautiful Suffolk countryside. Spend your days learning an array of riding skills as well as how to care for the horses, from mucking out to grooming and cleaning tack. In your evenings you will experience camp fires, movie nights under the stars, pizza nights and lots of fun games to keep you busy. You will be staying in wooden holiday lodges in the countryside and eating your meals at the on-site cafe. There will be a requirement for students to have specific riding attire, with a detailed kit list being shared nearer the time. This will be a fantastic experience for you as students to really immerse yourself into the world of horsemanship and to become a more confident and able rider for future endeavours.
Adventure- Outdoor learning-Teamwork
To see the 2022 trip - blog and images click here
Y7 only Residential
Monday - Friday, £480
Mr Boteler
Discover your inner Bear Grylls and learn how to survive in the wilderness with Really Wild Bushcraft. While camping in the wild forests of Sussex, we will learn bushcraft, survival and life skills from experienced professionals. Every day will involve a new challenge from knife craft to building and lighting fires, and building emergency shelters to foraging for safe food in the wild. We will also play night games in the forest and learn navigation techniques. We will be cooking our own meals in an outdoor ‘Master Chef’ style. Be prepared to work as a team, get muddy and make lots of new friends around the campfire as you learn to survive in the wilderness of Sussex!
Exploring-Science-Environmental
To see the 2022 trip - blog and images click here
Y7 & Y8 Residential
Monday - Friday, £440
Ms S Harris
Want to visit a rainforest and wander through the Mediterranean Cornish landscape? Then this trip is for you! We will travel along some of the most scenic stretches of coastline in Cornwall and stay in a beautiful hostel nestled in the centre of St Ives. A highlight of the trip will be a visit to the Eden Project and the world’s largest indoor rainforest, where we will learn about the environment and how we can sustain it. Whilst in St Ives we will explore art galleries such as the Barbara Hepworth Gallery and the Tate St Ives, relax on the beautiful beaches, and take a visit to The Minack Theatre on a rocky outcrop overlooking the sea. We will walk along some of the stunning South West Coastal Path and spend the day on an Organic Farm, learning about Bees, permaculture and looking after chickens. A packed yet relaxing and enjoyable week in Cornwall.
Outdoor Adventure- Culture
To see the 2022 trip - blog and images click here
Y7 & Y8 Residential
Sunday - Friday, £775
Mr J Geoghegan
Based in a lovely gîte in the village of Clécy, we venture out to undertake a balanced mix of cultural, historical and physical activities. Making the most of the fantastic countryside, we have a go at high wires, mountain biking, kayaking and archery. Our accommodation allows us to get a taste of French cuisine, with a further chance to experience the French lifestyle at a goats’ cheese farm and shopping in a local marketplace.
We also spend a day visiting the beautiful Mont Saint-Michel, a spot of culture in addition to all of the exciting activities on offer. Whilst each day is packed with interesting activities, there is a chance to relax in the evenings, playing football or unwinding and making new friends.
Culture-Exploring- Culinary
To see the 2022 trip - blog and images click here
Y7 & Y8 Residential
Monday - Friday, £650
Miss J Wong
Year 7 and 8 are once again invited to cross the Channel and discover the delights of Belgium. This will be a gastronomic and cultural tour. Students will have time not only to see the sights and gobble down waffles, but also to soak up the atmosphere, learn about the history of the country and enjoy a thrilling day out at a theme park. We will be staying in a comfortable hostel. Activities will include:
Visiting Bruges and a tour of the town by boat
A guided tour of Sukerbuyc hand-made chocolate factory
A walking tour of Brussels
Visiting the Battlefields of Waterloo and Memorial 1815 Museum
Trips to a theme park and water park
Visiting Hergé Museum
Adventure-Culture-Exploring
To see the 2022 trip - blog and images click here
Y7 & Y8 £510
Residential Monday - Friday
Mrs A Barlien
While ‘Discovering Northern Ireland’, we will explore astonishing, wild landscapes, such as the famous Giants’ Causeway and the Carrick-a-Rede rope bridge (a structure hung 30 metres above the sea and jagged rocks!). You will be able to test your bravery while taking part in activities such as hydrozorbing, tree-top climbing and abseiling. On a visit to Rathlin Island, we will appreciate the natural beauty and wildlife of the Northern Irish coast by viewing puffins and seals up-close. We will also explore the city and culture of Belfast. Here, we visit the Titanic Museum and learn about the city’s history, including touring the political murals that depict the turbulent events of the ‘Troubles’. Our youth hostel base for the week overlooks a spectacular sandy beach, providing the perfect spot for evening fun and beach games.
Creativity-Mind Sports- Tech
Y7-10 Non Residential
Monday - Friday, £195
Mr Bowles
For more information click here
Robotics Week; design, build, automate! Five days of robotic based activities. Build a remote controlled robot powered by a Raspberry Pi computer. Then make the robot drive itself.
The robots are coming in all walk of life from building products in factories to mowing your lawn. Start out in this fascinating field by building and programming your own remote controlled robot. Then make the robot drive itself by following a line, avoiding obstacles and detecting light. Add a camera to make your robot respond to shapes and people. Explore voice control to make your verbal commands! There will be plenty of competitions and challenges along the way to motivate you in building the best robot! This challenging course does not use a kit but builds the robot from component parts and direct programming of controllers coding in Python. This is an ideal introduction for those looking to learn more about coding, design and robotics.
The course will take place at school led by specialists in the field. In addition to the content explained students will also look to further challenge themselves and work on their problem solving at a techy escape room and visit exhibitions in this field. The Mon-Weds will be based at school building their own robots, and the Thursday and Friday will be partly off site engaging in other problem solving and challenging activities. A problem solving and technology focused week. Students will be provided with a packed lunch each day.
Watersports-Qualification
To see the 2022 trip - blog and images - click here
Year 7-10 & L6th Non Residential
Monday – Friday, £525
Mr A Edwards
The internationally recognised PADI Open Water Diver course is the most popular scuba course in the world. It is a qualification for life and will allow you and a buddy to dive to a maximum depth of 18 meters. Once qualified a wealth of opportunities will open up to you. Your PADI will be eligible at any dive centre in the world. This will be of particular interest to anyone looking towards travelling to exotic locations in the future. It will save time and money, as you will be ready to dive straight in and enjoy without any training. You will spend two days covering all the academic and pool training, leading to six dives in an open water environment to complete the course. No experience is required and all safety equipment is supplied. Unfortunately this activity is not suitable for those with asthma.
Outdoor Adventure- Culture
To see the 2022 trip - blog and images click here
Y8 & Y9 Residential
Monday - Friday, £750
Ms J Clarke
We fly to the activity centre at Delphi, South–West Mayo in Ireland, set in the beautiful and breath-taking landscape of Connemara. The centre offers en-suite rooms with 24 hour supervision. Activities are run by a team of friendly, knowledgeable and enthusiastic instructors. The area is rich in wildlife: seals, badgers and migratory birds. We have been lucky enough to see dolphins while surfing in the Atlantic!
It is an action packed week, which includes activities such as horse-riding, surfing, kayaking, and walking in the amazing landscape of The Lost Valley. We will also visit the picturesque town of Westport during the stay for a spot of souvenir shopping. The week is not complete without a boat cruise and barbeque on the stunning Killary Fjord. A fun and challenging week!
Culture-Exploring- Culinary
To see the 2022 trip - blog and images click here
Y7 & Y8 Residential
Monday - Friday, £650
Miss J Wong
Year 7 and 8 are once again invited to cross the Channel and discover the delights of Belgium. This will be a gastronomic and cultural tour. Students will have time not only to see the sights and gobble down waffles, but also to soak up the atmosphere, learn about the history of the country and enjoy a thrilling day out at a theme park. We will be staying in a comfortable hostel. Activities will include:
Visiting Bruges and a tour of the town by boat
A guided tour of Sukerbuyc hand-made chocolate factory
A walking tour of Brussels
Visiting the Battlefields of Waterloo and Memorial 1815 Museum
Trips to a theme park and water park
Visiting Hergé Museum
Outdoor Adventure-Water activities
To see the 2022 trip - blog and images click here
Y8 Residential
Monday - Friday, £625
Mr E Forbes
Skern Lodge is an incredible centre situated on the edge of Appledore in beautiful North Devon. There are lots of water activities such as surfing, kayaking and a high speed RIB ride in addition to the land based options such as high ropes and tunnelling. A variety of games are played in the evenings, and one evening is spent exploring the local town, Westward Ho!. There is even a swimming pool on site where everyone competes in the Pool Olympics. The wide range of activities promotes team building, problem solving and communication. The staff are outstanding and each year the instructors again prove themselves to be enthusiastic, energetic and highly qualified. As there is a high proportion of water based activities, students must be able to swim 100m competently.
Creativity- Design- Project
Y8-L6 Non Residential
Monday-Friday, £199
Ms Whyte
For more information click here
One for the creatives of Latymer. This week will teach students all of the necessary skills to be able to design and create their very own wardrobe pieces. Students will be taught how to sew, hem, cut fabric and draw designs in a studio in London. They will go out fabric shopping to choose the perfect material for their pieces and will end the week curating their very own fashion show. In addition to this we will explore the work of some of the top designers throughout history at the V&A museum to inspire our designs. A creative week and taste of life in the fashion world. Students will need a zip card to be able to get to the studio in East London and also bring a packed lunch, except for the final day where will conclude our fashion runway with a pizza party. We will meet at school each day and travel as a group.
Outdoor Adventure- Culture
To see the 2022 trip - blog and images click here
Y7 & Y8 Residential
Sunday - Friday, £775
Mr J Geoghegan
Based in a lovely gîte in the village of Clécy, we venture out to undertake a balanced mix of cultural, historical and physical activities. Making the most of the fantastic countryside, we have a go at high wires, mountain biking, kayaking and archery. Our accommodation allows us to get a taste of French cuisine, with a further chance to experience the French lifestyle at a goats’ cheese farm and shopping in a local marketplace.
We also spend a day visiting the beautiful Mont Saint-Michel, a spot of culture in addition to all of the exciting activities on offer. Whilst each day is packed with interesting activities, there is a chance to relax in the evenings, playing football or unwinding and making new friends.
Watersports-Qualification
To see the 2022 trip - blog and images - click here
Year 7-10 & L6th Non Residential,
Monday – Friday, £525
Mr A Edwards
The internationally recognised PADI Open Water Diver course is the most popular scuba course in the world. It is a qualification for life and will allow you and a buddy to dive to a maximum depth of 18 meters. Once qualified a wealth of opportunities will open up to you. Your PADI will be eligible at any dive centre in the world. This will be of particular interest to anyone looking towards travelling to exotic locations in the future. It will save time and money, as you will be ready to dive straight in and enjoy without any training. You will spend two days covering all the academic and pool training, leading to six dives in an open water environment to complete the course. No experience is required and all safety equipment is supplied. Unfortunately this activity is not suitable for those with asthma.
Exploring-Science-Environmental
To see the 2022 trip - blog and images click here
Y7 & Y8 Residential
Monday - Friday, £440
Ms S Harris
Want to visit a rainforest and wander through the Mediterranean Cornish landscape? Then this trip is for you! We will travel along some of the most scenic stretches of coastline in Cornwall and stay in a beautiful hostel nestled in the centre of St Ives. A highlight of the trip will be a visit to the Eden Project and the world’s largest indoor rainforest, where we will learn about the environment and how we can sustain it. Whilst in St Ives we will explore art galleries such as the Barbara Hepworth Gallery and the Tate St Ives, relax on the beautiful beaches, and take a visit to The Minack Theatre on a rocky outcrop overlooking the sea. We will walk along some of the stunning South West Coastal Path and spend the day on an Organic Farm, learning about Bees, permaculture and looking after chickens. A packed yet relaxing and enjoyable week in Cornwall.
Creativity-Mind Sports- Tech
Y7-10 Non Residential
Monday - Friday , £195
Mr Bowles
For more information click here
The robots are coming in all walk of life from building products in factories to mowing your lawn. Start out in this fascinating field by building and programming your own remote controlled robot. Then make the robot drive itself by following a line, avoiding obstacles and detecting light. Add a camera to make your robot respond to shapes and people. Explore voice control to make your verbal commands! There will be plenty of competitions and challenges along the way to motivate you in building the best robot! This challenging course does not use a kit but builds the robot from component parts and direct programming of controllers coding in Python. This is an ideal introduction for those looking to learn more about coding, design and robotics.
The course will take place at school led by specialists in the field. In addition to the content explained students will also look to further challenge themselves and work on their problem solving at a techy escape room and visit exhibitions in this field. The Mon-Weds will be based at school building their own robots, and the Thursday and Friday will be partly off site engaging in other problem solving and challenging activities. A problem solving and technology focused week. Students will be provided with a packed lunch each day.
Watersports- Action- Physical
To see the 2022 trip - blog and images click here
Y7 & Y8 Residential
Monday - Friday, £590
Ms Smith
Come to the Isle of Wight, the heart of the yachting world, for a thrill seekers marine week away! This week offers a huge variety of activities including dinghy sailing, keelboat sailing, paddle boarding, kayaking and team games. The outstanding staff at UKSA (United Kingdom Sailing Association) believe in the power of sailing to inspire and make a positive change. There will be plenty to get involved with, on and off the water, including a full programme of evening entertainment to keep students focused, engaged and active. Before lights out, students can wind down in the entertainment zone with pool tables, games, a lounge and kitchen areas. UKSA also has an indoor heated swimming pool, TV lounge and outdoor seating areas overlooking fantastic views of the water. The week at UKSA is about challenge, making new friends and having fun!
Adventure-Culture-Explore
To see the 2022 trip - blog and images click here
Y7 & Y8 Residential
Monday - Friday, £510
Mrs A Barlien
While ‘Discovering Northern Ireland’, we will explore astonishing, wild landscapes, such as the famous Giants’ Causeway and the Carrick-a-Rede rope bridge (a structure hung 30 metres above the sea and jagged rocks!). You will be able to test your bravery while taking part in activities such as hydrozorbing, tree-top climbing and abseiling. On a visit to Rathlin Island, we will appreciate the natural beauty and wildlife of the Northern Irish coast by viewing puffins and seals up-close. We will also explore the city and culture of Belfast. Here, we visit the Titanic Museum and learn about the city’s history, including touring the political murals that depict the turbulent events of the ‘Troubles’. Our youth hostel base for the week overlooks a spectacular sandy beach, providing the perfect spot for evening fun and beach games.
Outdoor Adventure- Adrenaline
To see the 2022 trip - blog and images click here
Yr9 & Y10 Residential
Monday - Friday, £657
Dr R Oxburgh
Does conquering a rocky tor sound like relaxation to you? Love the thrill of adrenaline as you hurtle down a mountain trail? Like panoramic views as you descend a vertical rock face? Do you want your air clean and fresh…with plenty of it below your feet? This could be just the challenge that you are looking for!
Plas Y Brenin, the National Mountain Centre, provides instruction and facilities to the highest standard. The centre has an indoor climbing wall, canoe training pool and a private lake, and is surrounded by some of the most challenging and beautiful mountains in Britain. The ‘anything but typical’ activities include rock climbing, coasteering (sea cliff traversing/ocean swimming), mountain walking, mountain biking, gorge scrambling, and a high ropes course.
The instructors are seasoned, highly experienced professionals and the ratio will be no more than 10:1. All necessary equipment is provided. The accommodation and dining facilities are excellent (the food is amazing…) and the trip price includes all meals. Transport to and from Plas Y Brenin will be by coach.
More information can be found www.pyb.co.uk/index.php or by asking Dr Oxburgh.
Adventure- Hiking- Scenery
To see the 2022 trip - blog and images click here
Y9 & Y10 Residential
Monday - Friday, £550
Mr T Henwood
Whether you are a long distance rambler, a hilltop hiker, a Sunday stroller, a fanciful footslogger or an enthusiastic pedestrian preferring to explore urban or village life, the Peak District Explorer is for you. After travelling by train to Buxton we will be spending the week walking through some of the most beautiful countryside in the British Isles. This is a fantastic opportunity if you love walking, fresh air and the countryside, and although reasonably challenging we won’t be walking more than about 10 miles each day. Our penultimate day will be spent at Alton Towers, probably the best theme park in the UK. Our accommodation will be in the very comfortable Youth Hostel at Youlgreave and we will be accompanied throughout by experienced and friendly guides. All travel and meals are included.
Culture- Cooking Skills- Explore
To see the 2022 trip - blog and images click here
Y9 & Y10 Residential
Monday - Friday, £740
Miss E Harvey
The trip offers a fantastic opportunity to explore the best of Paris’s cuisine and culture. Students will be developing their culinary skills and knowledge attending a 3-course cookery workshop, exploring Parisian food markets, cheese tasting and crepe making. We will also be visiting Paris’s most famous landmarks including Cathedrale de Notre Dame, Basilique du Sacre Coeur, the Eiffel Tower and enjoying a boat cruise along the River Seine through the heart of historical Paris. Students will also spend a day exploring the city by bike and stopping off to experience Paris’s best bakeries of traditional cakes along the route.
There are plenty of opportunities for students to practice their French. The evenings will mostly be spent socialising and playing games in and around the pool and gardens of the impressive PGL Chateau du Grande Romaine where facilities and staff are excellent.
Adventure- Adrenaline-New Skills
To see the 2022 trip - blog and images click here
Y9 & Y10 Non Residential
Monday - Friday, £390
Mr M Lewis
London Multi-sports sees students involving themselves in a plethora of exciting and engaging activities. Two days will be spent on the water - activities will include white-water rafting, paddle-boarding, knee-boarding, wake-boarding, water-skiing and banana boating, in addition to an afternoon at an aqua park. You will also spend a morning skiing indoors, followed by some fiercely competitive bowling. Another day will be in the woods and will involve zip wires, tree-top walks and bmx bikes. Our final day will take students onto the racetrack, as they race each other in go-karts. This is the trip for you if you want to challenge yourself and try out some new active experiences!
Creativity- New Skills- Arts
Year 9 & 10 Non residential
Monday-Friday, £225
Miss J Hillis Maidment
To see the 2022 trip - blog and images - click here
Photographing London, will enable you to learn new skills with your camera and improve the photographic images that you take. We will travel to London locations in order to take photographs both on film and digitally and then work on them in the Photography Studio and Darkroom. You will learn to process your own film and make cool prints in the Darkroom and also work on your digital images using Photoshop. You do not need to have any previous experience! At the end of the week, you will have your own exciting portfolio of photographic work to take home. Equipment will be provided, so you do not need to own a camera, but you will be able to use your own digital camera if you wish.
Outdoor Adventure- Culture
To see the 2022 trip - blog and images click here
Y9 & Y10 Residential
Saturday - Thursday, £756
Mrs Price
The Gredos Mountains are located between the metropolitan buzz of Madrid and the old world charm of Salamanca. The region is famous for it's dramatic mountain scenery. This will be a fully immersive Spanish experience for all students, so it is recommended that you are studying the subject. Students will visit the medieval walled town of Avila en route from the airport to our home for the week. You will be expected to take all instructions in Spanish as well as ask for your dinner in the native language! There will be organised outward bound activities such as horse riding and ziplining and orienteering, as well as archery and mountain biking. Some more relaxed activities such as T shirt paining and Spanish cookery are also included. Most evenings are spent at the Activity Centre but on our final night we will visit the Parador Hotel, a previous royal residence and dine in their grand hall. By the end of each evening you will be exhausted from the days activities and can relax in the gardens at the centre. A sturdy pair of legs would be a great asset for this trip as well as a sense of adventure. We will fly to Spain.
Creativity- Design- Project
Year 8-L6 Non Residential
Monday-Friday , £199
Ms Whyte
For more information click here
One for the creatives of Latymer. This week will teach students all of the necessary skills to be able to design and create their very own wardrobe pieces. Students will be taught how to sew, hem, cut fabric and draw designs in a studio in London. They will go out fabric shopping to choose the perfect material for their pieces and will end the week curating their very own fashion show. In addition to this we will explore the work of some of the top designers throughout history at the V&A museum to inspire our designs. A creative week and taste of life in the fashion world. Students will need a zip card to be able to get to the studio in East London and also bring a packed lunch, except for the final day where will conclude our fashion runway with a pizza party. We will meet at school each day and travel as a group.
Creativity-Mind Sports- Tech
Year 7, 8, 9 & 10 on Residential
Monday-Friday, £195
Mr Bowles
for more information click here
The robots are coming in all walk of life from building products in factories to mowing your lawn. Start out in this fascinating field by building and programming your own remote controlled robot. Then make the robot drive itself by following a line, avoiding obstacles and detecting light. Add a camera to make your robot respond to shapes and people. Explore voice control to make your verbal commands! There will be plenty of competitions and challenges along the way to motivate you in building the best robot! This challenging course does not use a kit but builds the robot from component parts and direct programming of controllers coding in Python. This is an ideal introduction for those looking to learn more about coding, design and robotics.
The course will take place at school led by specialists in the field. In addition to the content explained students will also look to further challenge themselves and work on their problem solving at a techy escape room and visit exhibitions in this field. The Mon-Weds will be based at school building their own robots, and the Thursday and Friday will be partly off site engaging in other problem solving and challenging activities. A problem solving and technology focused week. Students will be provided with a packed lunch each day.
Outdoor Adventure- Culture
To see the 2022 trip - blog and images click here
Y8 & Y9 Residential
Monday - Friday, £750
Ms J Clarke
We fly to the activity centre at Delphi, South–West Mayo in Ireland, set in the beautiful and breath-taking landscape of Connemara. The centre offers en-suite rooms with 24 hour supervision. Activities are run by a team of friendly, knowledgeable and enthusiastic instructors. The area is rich in wildlife: seals, badgers and migratory birds. We have been lucky enough to see dolphins while surfing in the Atlantic!
It is an action packed week, which includes activities such as horse-riding, surfing, kayaking, and walking in the amazing landscape of The Lost Valley. We will also visit the picturesque town of Westport during the stay for a spot of souvenir shopping. The week is not complete without a boat cruise and barbeque on the stunning Killary Fjord. A fun and challenging week!
Y9 &10 Residential
Monday-Friday £599
Miss Goodchild & Dr Clark
Experience the history and culture of the beautiful Amsterdam. A new trip for 2023.
Join us on our brand new Activities Week trip to Amsterdam! A chance to explore the unique heritage and culture of the Netherlands, from ancient times to the modern day. We will tour Amsterdam on foot and by boat, visiting the internationally renowned Van Gogh museum as well as the house where Anne Frank wrote her famous diary whilst hiding from the Nazis. We will also have the chance to discover more remote areas of Holland, learning about its maritime past and sampling some cheese in the village of Edam. If you love History, this is the trip for you!
Arts- Culture- Perform
To see the 2022 trip - blog and images click here
Y9, Y10 & L6 Non Residential
Monday - Friday, £420
Mr Joseph
Spend a whole week in and around the theatre, taking on the roles of both practitioner and audience member. During the course of the week we will see a different show every day, take part in a workshop with theatre professionals, explore the backstage secrets of a historical venue and enjoy a visit from an actor or director. There will probably be time for a theatre exhibition as well, in addition to one or two unlikely surprises. If you enjoy acting, working backstage or just sitting in the audience, then this is the activity for you. There will be plenty of time to sit around and chat about theatre (or anything else!) over coffee, hot chocolate or cake. Enjoy the riches of London’s theatre and the social interaction that goes with it.
Adrenaline- Outdoor- Adventure
Y9 & Y10 Residential
Monday - Friday, £449
Mr Doneghan
This is a new trip for 2023, For more information click here.
Head down to the beautiful South Coast for a week of action, adventure and challenge. We will be glamping in the lovely seaside town of Swanage located on the Juarassic Coast in Dorset. Hosted by Cumulus Outdoor Adventures, you will be taking part in a jammed pack week of adrenaline filled activities. You will need to be confident in the water and enjoy a sense of outdoor adventure. Activities this week include;
-Coasteering (jumping off rocks and small cliffs into the sea)
-Mackerel fishing and BBQing your fresh catch (back up dinner available)
-Paddle Boarding
-Kayaking
-Raft Building and racing
-TAG archery
-Climbing and abseiling
-Inflatable water park
- Survival in the wild
-Beach Olympics and swim
-Fish and chip night and campfires
-Outdoor movie night
It will be a week of fun and challenge surrounded by beautiful coastal scenery and countryside.
Adrenaline-Adventure-New Skills
To see the 2022 trip - blog and images click here
Year 9 & Y10 Residential
Monday – Friday, £530
Mr J Davey
Surf’s up in Cornwall! This trip involves three days of surfing in the picturesque seaside village of Mawgan Porth. It boasts Cornwall’s premier waves and, if weather permits, a secret cove for a private surfing experience. Teaching us to “trim” will be the amazing instructors of KingSurf surf school. You’ll start the week “grubbing”, but by the chilled out surfing competition at the end of the week, you’ll be “ripping” up the waves and maybe even winning a prize or two!
We will also find time for a session of coasteering: traversing across barnacle-covered ledges, jumping into beautiful blue waters, and exploring hidden rock pools, all whilst taking in stunning views of the gorgeous Cornish coastline.
There is no requirement for pupils to have previous experience of either coasteering or surfing, but they must be able to swim 200m and be prepared for the all-weather nature of water sports! We will be staying in a nearby hotel in Porth next to one of the most beautiful beaches in Cornwall - perfect for swimming, sunbathing and playing beach sports in the downtime after surfing sessions.
Watersports-Qualification
To see the 2022 trip - blog and images click here
Year 7-10 & L6th Non Residential
Monday – Friday £525
Mr A Edwards
The internationally recognised PADI Open Water Diver course is the most popular scuba course in the world. It is a qualification for life and will allow you and a buddy to dive to a maximum depth of 18 meters. Once qualified a wealth of opportunities will open up to you. Your PADI will be eligible at any dive centre in the world. This will be of particular interest to anyone looking towards travelling to exotic locations in the future. It will save time and money, as you will be ready to dive straight in and enjoy without any training. You will spend two days covering all the academic and pool training, leading to six dives in an open water environment to complete the course. No experience is required and all safety equipment is supplied. Unfortunately this activity is not suitable for those with asthma.
Y9 &10 Residential
Monday-Friday £599
Miss Goodchild & Dr Clark
Experience the history and culture of the beautiful Amsterdam. A new trip for 2023.
Join us on our brand new Activities Week trip to Amsterdam! A chance to explore the unique heritage and culture of the Netherlands, from ancient times to the modern day. We will tour Amsterdam on foot and by boat, visiting the internationally renowned Van Gogh museum as well as the house where Anne Frank wrote her famous diary whilst hiding from the Nazis. We will also have the chance to discover more remote areas of Holland, learning about its maritime past and sampling some cheese in the village of Edam. If you love History, this is the trip for you!
New Skills- Adventure-Adrenaline
Year 10 & L6
Monday-Friday, £490
Mr Devenport
For more information click here
This week will be an excellent introduction to the world of rock climbing led by excellent instructors with eh beautiful backdrop of the Juarassic Coast. This is a world class climbing destination for all levels and will offer tuition to get you climbing like Spiderman!
In addition to climbing activities you will also learn how to fish in the stunning bay of Swanage where you will hopefully catch your fish and prepare it for your BBQ dinner. Put your bouldering skills to test as you embark on a coastering adventures of climbing up small cliffs and then jumping off them into the fresh blue sea. After all of this hard work you will have certainly earned yourself some leisure time so take to the inflatable Dorset Water Park for a thrilling adventure. You will be staying in comfortable glamping facilities where you will have a camp fire every night, movies under the stars and of course some seaside fish and chips! Get ready for a week of adventure and maybe the start of a new favourite hobby in the form of climbing.
Y10 Residential
Monday - Friday, £850
Mr O'Hara
Click here for more info
Trek the Alps and tackle the Tour du Mont Blanc. You will hike the first half sections of this famous route , taking in three countries in just five days! We will stay at hostels and mountain huts along the way. The Swiss, French and Italian Alps await those who fancy a challenging, but ultimately rewarding, week of hiking. You will need to maintain and develop your fitness throughout the summer term. You will be rewarded with a constantly changing landscape: fertile valleys, snowy peaks, precarious gorge crossings, glaciers, and more. We will fly to Geneva before transferring to Chamonix and joining our local guide. For more information about this spectacular trek which unwinds around the Mont Blanc massif, click here or ask Mr O’Hara.
Adrenaline-Adventure-New Skills
To see the 2022 trip - blog and images click here
Year 9 & Y10 Residential
Monday – Friday, £530
Mr J Davey
Surf’s up in Cornwall! This trip involves three days of surfing in the picturesque seaside village of Mawgan Porth. It boasts Cornwall’s premier waves and, if weather permits, a secret cove for a private surfing experience. Teaching us to “trim” will be the amazing instructors of KingSurf surf school. You’ll start the week “grubbing”, but by the chilled out surfing competition at the end of the week, you’ll be “ripping” up the waves and maybe even winning a prize or two!
We will also find time for a session of coasteering: traversing across barnacle-covered ledges, jumping into beautiful blue waters, and exploring hidden rock pools, all whilst taking in stunning views of the gorgeous Cornish coastline.
There is no requirement for pupils to have previous experience of either coasteering or surfing, but they must be able to swim 200m and be prepared for the all-weather nature of water sports! We will be staying in a nearby hotel in Porth next to one of the most beautiful beaches in Cornwall - perfect for swimming, sunbathing and playing beach sports in the downtime after surfing sessions.
Watersports-Qualification
To see the 2022 trip - blog and images click here
Year 7-10 & L6th Non Residential
Monday – Friday, £525
Mr A Edwards
The internationally recognised PADI Open Water Diver course is the most popular scuba course in the world. It is a qualification for life and will allow you and a buddy to dive to a maximum depth of 18 meters. Once qualified a wealth of opportunities will open up to you. Your PADI will be eligible at any dive centre in the world. This will be of particular interest to anyone looking towards travelling to exotic locations in the future. It will save time and money, as you will be ready to dive straight in and enjoy without any training. You will spend two days covering all the academic and pool training, leading to six dives in an open water environment to complete the course. No experience is required and all safety equipment is supplied. Unfortunately this activity is not suitable for those with asthma.
Arts- Culture- Perform
To see the 2022 trip - blog and images click here
Y9, Y10 & L6 Non Residential
Monday - Friday, £420
Mr Joseph
Spend a whole week in and around the theatre, taking on the roles of both practitioner and audience member. During the course of the week we will see a different show every day, take part in a workshop with theatre professionals, explore the backstage secrets of a historical venue and enjoy a visit from an actor or director. There will probably be time for a theatre exhibition as well, in addition to one or two unlikely surprises. If you enjoy acting, working backstage or just sitting in the audience, then this is the activity for you. There will be plenty of time to sit around and chat about theatre (or anything else!) over coffee, hot chocolate or cake. Enjoy the riches of London’s theatre and the social interaction that goes with it.
Creativity- Design- Project
Year 8-L6 Non Residential
Monday-Friday, £199
Ms Whyte
For more information click here
One for the creatives of Latymer. This week will teach students all of the necessary skills to be able to design and create their very own wardrobe pieces. Students will be taught how to sew, hem, cut fabric and draw designs in a studio in London. They will go out fabric shopping to choose the perfect material for their pieces and will end the week curating their very own fashion show. In addition to this we will explore the work of some of the top designers throughout history at the V&A museum to inspire our designs. A creative week and taste of life in the fashion world. Students will need a zip card to be able to get to the studio in East London and also bring a packed lunch, except for the final day where will conclude our fashion runway with a pizza party. We will meet at school each day and travel as a group.
Creativity-Mind Sports- Tech
Y7-10 Non Residential
Monday-Friday, £195
Mr Bowles
For more information click here
The robots are coming in all walk of life from building products in factories to mowing your lawn. Start out in this fascinating field by building and programming your own remote controlled robot. Then make the robot drive itself by following a line, avoiding obstacles and detecting light. Add a camera to make your robot respond to shapes and people. Explore voice control to make your verbal commands! There will be plenty of competitions and challenges along the way to motivate you in building the best robot! This challenging course does not use a kit but builds the robot from component parts and direct programming of controllers coding in Python. This is an ideal introduction for those looking to learn more about coding, design and robotics.
The course will take place at school led by specialists in the field. In addition to the content explained students will also look to further challenge themselves and work on their problem solving at a techy escape room and visit exhibitions in this field. The Mon-Weds will be based at school building their own robots, and the Thursday and Friday will be partly off site engaging in other problem solving and challenging activities. A problem solving and technology focused week. Students will be provided with a packed lunch each day.
Adrenaline- Outdoor- Adventure
Y9 & Y10 Residential
Monday - Friday, £449
Mr Doneghan
This is a new trip for 2023, For more information click here.
Head down to the beautiful South Coast for a week of action, adventure and challenge. We will be glamping in the lovely seaside town of Swanage located on the Juarassic Coast in Dorset. Hosted by Cumulus Outdoor Adventures, you will be taking part in a jammed pack week of adrenaline filled activities. You will need to be confident in the water and enjoy a sense of outdoor adventure. Activities this week include;
-Coasteering (jumping off rocks and small cliffs into the sea)
-Mackerel fishing and BBQing your fresh catch (back up dinner available)
-Paddle Boarding
-Kayaking
-Raft Building and racing
-TAG archery
-Climbing and abseiling
-Inflatable water park
- Survival in the wild
-Beach Olympics and swim
-Fish and chip night and campfires
-Outdoor movie night
It will be a week of fun and challenge surrounded by beautiful coastal scenery and countryside.
Adventure- Adrenaline-New Skills
To see the 2022 trip - blog and images click here
Y9 & Y10 Non Residential,
Monday - Friday, £390
Mr M Lewis
London Multi-sports sees students involving themselves in a plethora of exciting and engaging activities. Two days will be spent on the water - activities will include white-water rafting, paddle-boarding, knee-boarding, wake-boarding, water-skiing and banana boating, in addition to an afternoon at an aqua park. You will also spend a morning skiing indoors, followed by some fiercely competitive bowling. Another day will be in the woods and will involve zip wires, tree-top walks and bmx bikes. Our final day will take students onto the racetrack, as they race each other in go-karts. This is the trip for you if you want to challenge yourself and try out some new active experiences!
Creativity- New Skills- Arts
Year 9 & 10 Non residential
Monday-Friday, £225
Miss J Hillis Maidment
To see the 2022 trip - blog and images - click here
Photographing London, will enable you to learn new skills with your camera and improve the photographic images that you take. We will travel to London locations in order to take photographs both on film and digitally and then work on them in the Photography Studio and Darkroom. You will learn to process your own film and make cool prints in the Darkroom and also work on your digital images using Photoshop. You do not need to have any previous experience! At the end of the week, you will have your own exciting portfolio of photographic work to take home. Equipment will be provided, so you do not need to own a camera, but you will be able to use your own digital camera if you wish.
Outdoor Adventure- Culture
To see the 2022 trip - blog and images click here
Y9 & Y10 Residential
Saturday - Thursday, £756
Mrs J Price
The Gredos Mountains are located between the metropolitan buzz of Madrid and the old world charm of Salamanca. The region is famous for it's dramatic mountain scenery. This will be a fully immersive Spanish experience for all students, so it is recommended that you are studying the subject. Students will visit the medieval walled town of Avila en route from the airport to our home for the week. You will be expected to take all instructions in Spanish as well as ask for your dinner in the native language! There will be organised outward bound activities such as horse riding and ziplining and orienteering, as well as archery and mountain biking. Some more relaxed activities such as T shirt paining and Spanish cookery are also included. Most evenings are spent at the Activity Centre but on our final night we will visit the Parador Hotel, a previous royal residence and dine in their grand hall. By the end of each evening you will be exhausted from the days activities and can relax in the gardens at the centre. A sturdy pair of legs would be a great asset for this trip as well as a sense of adventure. We will fly to Spain.
Outdoor Adventure- Adrenaline
To see the 2022 trip - blog and images click here
Yr 9 & Y10 Residential
Monday - Friday, £657
Dr R Oxburgh
Does conquering a rocky tor sound like relaxation to you? Love the thrill of adrenaline as you hurtle down a mountain trail? Like panoramic views as you descend a vertical rock face? Do you want your air clean and fresh…with plenty of it below your feet? This could be just the challenge that you are looking for!
Plas Y Brenin, the National Mountain Centre, provides instruction and facilities to the highest standard. The centre has an indoor climbing wall, canoe training pool and a private lake, and is surrounded by some of the most challenging and beautiful mountains in Britain. The ‘anything but typical’ activities include rock climbing, coasteering (sea cliff traversing/ocean swimming), mountain walking, mountain biking, gorge scrambling, and a high ropes course.
The instructors are seasoned, highly experienced professionals and the ratio will be no more than 10:1. All necessary equipment is provided. The accommodation and dining facilities are excellent (the food is amazing…) and the trip price includes all meals. Transport to and from Plas Y Brenin will be by coach.
More information can be found www.pyb.co.uk/index.php or by asking Dr Oxburgh.
Adventure- Hiking- Scenery
To see the 2022 trip - blog and images click here
Y9 & Y10 Residential
Monday - Friday, £550
Mr T Henwood
Whether you are a long distance rambler, a hilltop hiker, a Sunday stroller, a fanciful footslogger or an enthusiastic pedestrian preferring to explore urban or village life, the Peak District Explorer is for you. After travelling by train to Buxton we will be spending the week walking through some of the most beautiful countryside in the British Isles. This is a fantastic opportunity if you love walking, fresh air and the countryside, and although reasonably challenging we won’t be walking more than about 10 miles each day. Our penultimate day will be spent at Alton Towers, probably the best theme park in the UK. Our accommodation will be in the very comfortable Youth Hostel at Youlgreave and we will be accompanied throughout by experienced and friendly guides. All travel and meals are included.
Culture- Cooking Skills- Explore
To see the 2022 trip - blog and images click here
Y9 & Y10 Residential
Monday - Friday, £740
Miss E Harvey
The trip offers a fantastic opportunity to explore the best of Paris’s cuisine and culture. Students will be developing their culinary skills and knowledge attending a 3-course cookery workshop, exploring Parisian food markets, cheese tasting and crepe making. We will also be visiting Paris’s most famous landmarks including Cathedrale de Notre Dame, Basilique du Sacre Coeur, the Eiffel Tower and enjoying a boat cruise along the River Seine through the heart of historical Paris. Students will also spend a day exploring the city by bike and stopping off to experience Paris’s best bakeries of traditional cakes along the route.
There are plenty of opportunities for students to practice their French. The evenings will mostly be spent socialising and playing games in and around the pool and gardens of the impressive PGL Chateau du Grande Romaine where facilities and staff are excellent.
Explore-Culture-City
To see the 2022 trip - blog and images click here
L6th Non Residential
Monday - Friday, £400
Mr C Palmer
London is the amazing, world-class city we live in but how much do we actually know about it? This is an excellent Activities Week option to experience a diverse range of activities here in London.
Most days will have a cultural theme, and a sports activity involved. Activities will include a gastronomic tour of Brixton, architectural tour of London Docklands, kayaking in the Shadwell Basin, and hopefully climbing the O2! The only requirement is that you have a pair of trainers, you can ride a bicycle and you are interested in learning more about our diverse city.
Outdoor- Scenery- Unwind
To see the 2022 trip - blog and images click here
L6th Residential
Monday - Friday, £610
Mr J Haines
As you approach over winding roads and purple moors, you are warmly welcomed into the heart of Ilfracombe, our setting for adventure, relaxation, gastronomy and mystery. This beautiful seaside town is right on the edge of the heavenly Exmoor National Park, famous for its wild ponies, red deer, towering cliffs, secret coves, pirates, smugglers and poets. You will enjoy sumptuous food such as luscious cream teas in a quaint tea room, al fresco picnics amongst the heather, and homely evening meals prepared by our in-house chef. After dinner, we can settle in around the fireplace with a pack of cards and a hot chocolate.
We’ll spend our days with a mixture of rambling across the rolling hills in our hiking boots, enjoying watersports on the beach, and relaxing in the stunning countryside. Ultimately, prepare yourself to relax, unwind, enjoy each other’s company, and distance yourself from the hustle and bustle of the city for a few days. Idyllic.
Y10 & Y12 Residential
Monday- Friday £850
Mr O'Hara
Click here for more info
Trek the Alps and tackle the Tour du Mont Blanc. You will hike the first half sections of this famous route , taking in three countries in just five days! We will stay at hostels and mountain huts along the way. The Swiss, French and Italian Alps await those who fancy a challenging, but ultimately rewarding, week of hiking. You will need to maintain and develop your fitness throughout the summer term. You will be rewarded with a constantly changing landscape: fertile valleys, snowy peaks, precarious gorge crossings, glaciers, and more. We will fly to Geneva before transferring to Chamonix and joining our local guide. For more information about this spectacular trek which unwinds around the Mont Blanc massif, click here or ask Mr O’Hara.
Creativity- Design- Project
Y12 Non Residential
Monday-Friday £199
Ms Whyte
For more information click here
One for the creatives of Latymer. This week will teach students all of the necessary skills to be able to design and create their very own wardrobe pieces. Students will be taught how to sew, hem, cut fabric and draw designs in a studio in London. They will go out fabric shopping to choose the perfect material for their pieces and will end the week curating their very own fashion show. In addition to this we will explore the work of some of the top designers throughout history at the V&A museum to inspire our designs. A creative week and taste of life in the fashion world. Students will need a zip card to be able to get to the studio in East London and also bring a packed lunch, except for the final day where will conclude our fashion runway with a pizza party. We will meet at school each day and travel as a group.
Culture-History-Explore
Y12 Residential
Monday (in school)
Tuesday - Friday (in Berlin) £695
Mr Copeman
Explore historic Berlin and take in places of significant war time interest, including Hitler’s Bunker, the Topography of Terror (sited on Gestapo and SS HQ), the Reichstag Building and the Holocaust Memorial. Gain an understanding of life under Communist rule with a fascinating walking tour, stopping off at the Stasi Museum and passing Brandenburg Gate. Along the way you will visit Checkpoint Charlie and see remains of the infamous Berlin Wall, marking the divide between East and West Germany. Join us on a visit to the notorious Hohenschonhausen Prison, where the Stasi imprisoned domestic enemies of the East German state, intellectuals and those who tried to escape to the West. We will then head out of the city to the beautiful Plotzensee Lake, where there is a golden sandy beach and the opportunity for swimming and paddle boating.
On the Monday you will come into school for a workshop where we learn about the important history prior to arriving in Berlin. This will provide students with important historical information and greater context.
New Skills- Adventure-Adrenaline
Year 10 & L6 Residential
Monday-Friday £490
Mr Devenport
For more information click here
This week will be an excellent introduction to the world of rock climbing led by excellent instructors with the beautiful backdrop of the Juarassic Coast. This is a world class climbing destination for all levels and will offer tuition to get you climbing like Spiderman!
In addition to climbing activities you will also learn how to fish in the stunning bay of Swanage where you will hopefully catch your fish and prepare it for your BBQ dinner. Put your bouldering skills to test as you embark on a coastering adventures of climbing up small cliffs and then jumping off them into the fresh blue sea. After all of this hard work you will have certainly earned yourself some leisure time so take to the inflatable Dorset Water Park for a thrilling adventure. You will be staying in comfortable glamping facilities where you will have a camp fire every night, movies under the stars and of course some seaside fish and chips! Get ready for a week of adventure and maybe the start of a new favourite hobby in the form of climbing.
Environment-Adventure-Outdoor
To see the 2022 trip - blog and images click here
L6th Residential
Sunday - Thursday, £590
Mr Birchmore
If you want an action packed week away, full of awesome outdoor adventures with campfires and marshmallows, boat tours and time to enjoy the beautiful beach, whilst learning about the planet and how to make a difference, then this is the trip to join.
This eco-adventure week is run by Flooglebinder and will give you the chance to explore the beautiful steep limestone cliffs and volcanic headlands of the Pembrokeshire coastline, through kayaking, coasteering and plenty of outdoor adventures. You will get to play in the ocean, enjoy a boat tour around the uninhabited Ramsey Island, see seals, dolphins and puffins, and learn about kelp farms and the marine ecosystem. There will be a yoga class and a coastal run offered every morning. You will get to explore St Davids, the smallest city in the UK, and learn about conservation, sustainability as well as gain a deeper understanding of your own social and environmental impact. We will be staying at Carn-Nwchwn Farm, in bunk barns, a few minutes’ walk from the sea. Brad, Ian and his team will run a range of workshops, including conservation, sustainability and bushcraft. We will visit ‘Dr Beynon’s Bug Farm’, as seen on TV, with the aim of understanding the gap between science, farming and food. Dr Benyon spent the last ten years working with the University of Oxford researching the future of sustainable food production alongside wildlife conservation. The Pembrokeshire coast is one of the UK’s most spectacular stretches of unspoilt wilderness, and your guides will take you to the very best parts. From Jasmine, Year 13: “Brad and Ian at Flooglebinder organised such an amazing week with incredible adventures and some of the most inspiring and thought provoking careers discussions and eco workshops that we’ve been given at Latymer.”
Please note this trip runs Sunday to Thursday. You can see further information about the trip here: https://flooglebinder.co.uk/latymer-upper-wales-23
Password: Latymer23.
Creative-Learn-New Skills
To see the 2022 trip - blog and images click here
L6th Residential
Monday - Friday, £530
Mr L Maxted
Spend a week writing fiction and poetry in a Victorian country manor in Exmoor National Park. Remove yourself from the frenzies of metropolitan life, in favour of heather moorland, wooded river valleys, dusty bookcases and literary conversation. Each morning, you will attend writing workshops in the period drawing rooms and the verdant gardens of Northmoor House with Adam Dalton, an inspiring novelist, who will teach you to hone your writing in a vibrant atmosphere of creativity.
Each afternoon, a small group, with the help of a cook, will prepare supper for the party, with use of a nineteenth century dairy, larder and scullery, while others read and write in the gardens, play badminton, and paddle in the stream. Our evenings will be spent at poetry readings in the sitting rooms, taking long walks in the countryside, playing table tennis and billiards, and lounging in the sprawling grounds.
The Creative Writing Retreat is a marvellous chance to seclude yourself in the Somerset countryside and to bask in greenery and inspiration. You will return with a notebook packed with your own writing, and enough ideas to fill many more.
Take a look at the beautiful environment via the Northmoor House website: https://www.northmoorhouse.co.uk
Outdoor Adventure- New Skills
To see the 2022 trip - blog and images click here
L6th Residential
Saturday - Wednesday, £695
Ms J Selby
This RYA Competent Crew certificated sailing course teaches you the basics of sailing and all the skills you need to be an effective member of a yacht crew. You will spend 5 days living aboard a cruising yacht visiting many of the beautiful harbours and anchorages of the Solent and the Isle of Wight. It is a complete sailing course suitable for beginners or those with some sailing experience (perhaps in dinghies). You will learn how to steer the boat on a compass heading and ‘on the wind’, how to set and trim sails, operate winches, how to prepare a boat to enter and leave harbour, how to pick up moorings and anchor, safety at sea, and of course ropework and knots. We will be in a different harbour or anchorage every night. Travel (included) will be by train from London to The Hamble. Breakfast and lunch will be supplied and students will help prepare food on board from Monday morning - Friday lunch. There will also be opportunities to eat and drink ashore on two evenings. Please note - this is not included in the cost of the course.
Watersports-Qualification
To see the 2022 trip - blog and images click here
Year 7-10 & L6th Non Residential
Monday – Friday, £525
Mr A Edwards
The internationally recognised PADI Open Water Diver course is the most popular scuba course in the world. It is a qualification for life and will allow you and a buddy to dive to a maximum depth of 18 meters. Once qualified a wealth of opportunities will open up to you. Your PADI will be eligible at any dive centre in the world. This will be of particular interest to anyone looking towards travelling to exotic locations in the future. It will save time and money, as you will be ready to dive straight in and enjoy without any training. You will spend two days covering all the academic and pool training, leading to six dives in an open water environment to complete the course. No experience is required and all safety equipment is supplied. Unfortunately this activity is not suitable for those with asthma.
Explore-Learn-Cuisine
To see the 2022 trip - blog and images click here
L6th Non Residential
Monday - Friday, £490
Mr G Cook/Mrs S Motz
Be inspired by the wonderful food of our capital and learn how to create exciting and mouth-watering dishes. Gastronomic London is a unique and fascinating opportunity both to explore London as the food capital of the world, and to hone your culinary skills in an action-packed week of visits, cook-offs, tastings and tours. Students will be provided with opportunities to learn from professional chefs in creating and experiencing a tantalising range of different cuisines and dishes. This is a fabulous opportunity to practise a creative, addictive and extremely practical hobby. Cookery beginners welcome!
Arts- Culture- Perform
To see the 2022 trip - blog and images click here
Y9, Y10 & L6 Non Residential
Monday - Friday, £420
Mr Joseph
Spend a whole week in and around the theatre, taking on the roles of both practitioner and audience member. During the course of the week we will see a different show every day, take part in a workshop with theatre professionals, explore the backstage secrets of a historical venue and enjoy a visit from an actor or director. There will probably be time for a theatre exhibition as well, in addition to one or two unlikely surprises. If you enjoy acting, working backstage or just sitting in the audience, then this is the activity for you. There will be plenty of time to sit around and chat about theatre (or anything else!) over coffee, hot chocolate or cake. Enjoy the riches of London’s theatre and the social interaction that goes with it.
Parents are asked to select four different trips that they would be happy for their child to attend. These four choices are in no order of priority or preference.
Pupils: Please discuss the different options available to you for Activities Week with your parents. You will need to select four different trips. You must be prepared to go on any of the trips that you select - there is no ‘first choice’. Do not put down a trip that you have been on before unless you would be prepared to go on that trip again!
One of the key aims of Activities Week is to push you out of your comfort zone, and encourage you to mix with a different group of people to your normal friendship group. Therefore we will not take existing friendship groups into consideration when allocating your trip.
Parents/Guardians: Please complete the Choices Form on School Post by Thursday 3rd November 2022 by clicking ‘Reply’ at the bottom of the email. Forms received after this date, or incorrectly completed, will receive lower priority and we may not be able to guarantee one of your four options.
Please ensure that four different choices are made. Do note the specific days given in the booklet, as well as the member of staff organising the trip, and ensure that your child can attend any of the trips applied for: while most trips run from Monday - Friday, some leave and/or return at the weekend.
Returning the Activities Week Choices Form will count as consent that you are happy for your child to attend an Activities Week trip. This will save us from having to ask you for your consent again later in the year.
Pupils will be informed which Activities Week trip they have been allocated in December, and we will write to you then with more details about the trip that they have been allocated.
Sixth Form
Please note that work experience or University Open Days are not an option. All L6th pupils are expected to participate in Activities Week.
1. Code of Behaviour
School rules apply on all school trips
Alcohol, drugs and smoking are not permitted. Pupils who ignore this rule may be sent back to school at their parents' expense.
2. Respect
Staff - including instructors, catering/cleaning staff or any other employees at centres/hotels/restaurants.
Each other
Property
The environment: please pick up your litter.
Your room/tent: please keep this tidy.
Transport such as plane/train/coach: do not leave a mess.
Be polite and friendly: remember ‘Please’ and ‘Thank you’.
3. General Advice
Listen carefully to instructions.
Follow the rules of the centre/hotel/campsite.
Be punctual for meetings.
Be sensible with your valuables and avoid bringing expensive items or large sums of money.
4. Health and Hygiene
Staff will have details of your medical requirements but please discuss any issues/concerns with them at an early stage.
Ensure you have your correct inhaler/medication with you.
Apply sun-cream regularly when needed.
Keep hydrated by drinking plenty of water.
Wash your hands before eating.
Wash/shower, use deodorant, and change your clothes regularly.
Ensure you get enough sleep at night.
5. Friendships
Look after each other and make sure that everyone feels included
Alert staff if you are worried about anyone
Do not tolerate bullying of any kind
Open your eyes to new friendships; trips are about being open-minded.
6. Transport
Statistically, the journey time is the most dangerous part of any trip.
Follow instructions carefully, particularly on-board a ferry.
Always wear your seat belt.
Be aware of evacuation procedures.
Know where your meeting point is.
If you are crossing roads when you are abroad, remember to look LEFT
7. Emergency Procedures
If you get into any sort of difficulty, you must get in contact with a member of staff as soon as you can. Do NOT go to your parents as the first point of call. Staff will then contact the appropriate person at home so that you can talk to them once the facts and situation are clarified.
It is not helpful to cause unnecessary stress for parents at home, who may hear rumours second/third hand via alarmist text messages.
Ensure you have the emergency contact details with you. Put this contact number into your mobile phone if you have one.
Know the address of the place where you are staying.
Trips are both fun and enriching. Please secure the future of Activities Week by being helpful and thoughtful. Thank you.
Sending your child off on a school trip can produce mixed feelings for parents. There is the excitement of allowing children to explore new horizons, pursuits and adventures, but the possibility that you may harbour anxieties about how they will get on socially, and remain fit and well.
Most school trips pass off without any concerns. Pupils generally socialise well with each other and have a great time. The trip’s dynamics help reinforce the School’s ethos of pupils treating others with friendship, tolerance and respect, whilst having fun. A few observations for parents to note:
Communicating with your child
Trip leaders need to focus their time and concentration on leading the group. Your child’s school trip will be supported on site at Latymer Upper by a control officer, a senior member of school staff, who acts as liaison for any essential communications and assists the trip leader and families with support should any incidents arise.
Trip leaders’ phone batteries can quickly run down and signals can be weak. For these reasons, we do not facilitate direct calls between parents and the trip leader.
For younger pupils who are not used to being away from home, feeling homesick is not unusual. Generally keeping the pupils engaged and busy will stop these feelings building up. Constant reminders about home can be unhelpful in reinforcing homesickness. For this reason we do not advocate regular messaging to and from your child.
Children are instructed to let the teachers manage the communication if any concerns do arise. On all trips phone access and use of devices will be restricted and in most cases students will not have access to their phone unless there is an emergency. They are also asked to avoid social media, as dependence on this can detract from socialising with the other students on their trip. It can also lead to misconstrued messages reaching home, which can cause undue anxiety to parents and friends. Fully immersing yourself in the trip will ensure a better and more memorable experience.
Dates and timings
A school trip is a commitment and the details are published well in advance. Once you have signed up your child for a trip, please avoid clashes with other events that might cause you to ask for your child to arrive late or depart early.
Issues relating to timings, activities, religious observance or a special diet, must be raised at the time of booking, or as soon as possible thereafter with the trip leader.
The control officer is an emergency 24/7 service by a senior staff member who cannot field routine enquiries such as arrival or return timings. Children will be encouraged to text you with confirmation of their safe arrival and of any variation to their return time.
During Activities Week, leaders try to post a daily blog on the school website; this is dependent on them finding an internet signal!
Documents, Valuables and Possessions
All possessions should be named. Children should be educated about taking responsibility for keeping their property safe. If facilities exist to keep money, passports or valuables safe, your child should use this. The same applies to any medications.
At a very early stage please check your child’s passport and visa (if applicable) and ensure that all documents will be valid for the trip. Passports can be renewed several months ahead of expiry to avoid a last minute rush.
Activities Week Film