Each year in January the children in Year 5 have the opportunity to spend five days enjoying outdoor adventures together at Sayers Croft.
Sayers Croft is an outdoor activities centre with 56 acres of woodlands, meadows, ponds and fields.
For many of the children it’s their first time away from home, and the first time they’ve spent time in the countryside. Where typically they’re called inside for “inclement” weather, at Sayers Croft in January the weather is part of the experience that they embrace, and their enjoyment of it confounds many an expectation!
“Five miles through sun and rain… absolutely stunning and the best view at the end. One hundred percent worth it!”
Sayers Croft offers many activities, and our timetable changes slightly each year, sometimes allowing for new experiences. The children have enjoyed such activities as abseiling, rock climbing, archery, caving, shelter building and orienteering. The darkness of winter nights also affords us the thrill of a night walk, a camp fire and a disco! The centre also offers ample opportunity for crafts, making use of the natural resources found on the site.
“Today was one of the best days so far. We did an amazing adventure course but with ropes!”
Consistent emphasis is placed on protecting the environment and teaching the children how to do the same, and during the time they spend in the woods and hiking to the top of Pitch Hill, they gain a deeper appreciation for the natural world.
The Sayers Croft trip is always one of the highlights of the children’s time at Larmenier & Sacred Heart Catholic Primary School. They remember their experiences fondly and it’s also a time of significant personal development: They challenge themselves to try new things, and exceed their own expectations of what they think they are capable of; They develop their relationships with their peers and their team work skills; and They learn to become more independent.
“Today I had an experience that I will never ever forget. I was nervous at first but after a while I had completely fallen in love with caving!”
“I’ve had so much fun at Sayers Croft! I don’t want it to end!”
As part of the school’s Computing curriculum, the the children post to a blog during the trip to keep their family and friends up to date with their adventures. You can view blogs from past years here:
