Bravery, courage, focus and determination at Dukes Barn

The Year Five Dukes Barn trip is always a rite of passage for our pupils and last week 5CK and 5SH departed from King’s Hawford bound for the beautiful surroundings of the Peak District. The children spent the week at Dukes Barn, part of the stunning Chatsworth Estate. Over the course of the four-day residential, pupils took part in a number of challenges and a wide variety of fun-filled outdoor and adventurous activities. The trip was fantastic opportunity for pupils to demonstrate the key King’s Foundation values of ambition, resilience, humility, creativity, and kindness.

Dukes Barn is the perfect location for our pupils to experience the great outdoors in a safe yet adventurous environment. Over the course of the week, our pupils overcame personal issues and fears, enabling them to grow in confidence and self-esteem, which will no doubt equip them to meet the challenges in their day-to-day lives.

Activities planned by the fully qualified and experienced staff at Dukes Barn ensured that each and every activity met specific objectives, whilst also challenging this lively cohort. All the staff were absolutely blown away by the behaviour shown by the pupils. Year Five were an enthusiastic and lively bunch, who demonstrated great resilience throughout the trip. Activities including climbing, caving, weaselling, stream scrambling and abseiling encouraged pupils to step out of their comfort zones. There was plenty of bravery, courage, focus and determination on display.

It was a tired yet thoroughly accomplished group that returned to school on Friday evening. All of the children fully embraced every opportunity on the residential and we are sure that they have created memories that will stay with them for a very long time. As always, a huge “thank you” must go to Mrs Redman for organising the trip, and to all of the staff at Dukes Barn for making the activities so special and enjoyable.