Pupils from St Chad’s Catholic Primary School in Witton Park, Bishop Auckland have been enjoying an action-packed and memorable residential visit to Derwent Hill in the Lake District, with a day full of adventure, teamwork and new experiences.

Hear from our Media Correspondent, Darcy

Derwent Hill was a brilliant place to go! There were lots of fun activities, like the Death Swing. It was 12 feet tall and you went really high. You went above a tree, and you could even go off the swing. You would just hang as you swung, and it was also very fun because you did not have to hold on to the swing. It was one of the best activities.

There was also the low ropes, which we went on every night for about 30 minutes. It felt like ages. We did kayaking, which was very fun. We had to kayak around the whole lake, and then we got to stand up and do a dance while people were holding on to both sides of the kayak.

We also went swimming and got to jump in. We got to swim in the deeper areas too. We also did gorge walking, where we had to climb over a load of tree branches. We also had to swim under trees, and we got to jump in when it got really deep.

A Day Full of Adventure and Achievement

The group had a fabulous day, taking part in a range of exciting activities designed to challenge and inspire. One of the biggest highlights was the Death Swing, where pupils bravely faced their fears. Even Miss Maitland joined in, encouraging everyone to push themselves and try something new.

Developing Teamwork and New Skills

Children have been working together and building important life skills through activities such as:

  • Orienteering
  • Low ropes
  • Gauge walking
  • Kayaking

These sessions have helped pupils develop confidence, communication and teamwork, as they support each other through challenges.

Exploring the Outdoors

The natural surroundings have played a big part in the experience. Pupils enjoyed a walk around Derwent Water, taking in the scenery and spending time together outside the classroom. During the walk, Seth helped teach others how to skim stones, creating a fun and shared moment for the group.

After a busy day, everyone cooled down with a well-earned ice cream, rounding off the experience on a high.

A Positive Residential Experience

Alongside the activities, pupils have also been enjoying lovely food and the chance to spend time with friends in a new environment.

Building Confidence and Creating Memories

The residential is helping pupils to:

  • Build confidence by facing new challenges
  • Strengthen teamwork and friendships
  • Learn new outdoor skills
  • Create lasting memories

This exciting visit is proving to be a rewarding experience for all, with plenty more adventures still to come.