Crabtree Farm Primary School in Bulwell, Nottingham shifted from a costly YHA model for residential trips to a self-planned, low-cost camping model at Beaumanor Hall, enhancing student involvement and ownership. The new approach combines school-led activities with some qualified staff, allowing for a more relaxed environment where children can socialize and choose their activities. Supported by the Paul Hamlyn Foundation, this change fosters independence and creates a meaningful experience for students.

1. RESIDENTIALS
- LOW COST MODELS
BECOMING
INDEPENDENT
Crabtree Farm Primary
School, Bulwell, Nottingham

2. INTRODUCTION
At Crabtree Farm Primary School, in Bulwell,
Nottingham, we have recently swapped our
school residential from using a YHA with fully
qualified staff and a range of activities to a
more low-key camping residential but
completely planned by us.

3. WHERE WE BEGAN
 School used a YHA as a base for residential
in Year 5/6
 All catering was provided
 All activities were organised and run by fully
qualified staff
 Staff would supervise the activities (although
we always joined in!)

4. ADVANTAGES OF YHA
 Large range of activities provided
 Main responsibility of activities with guides
 Equipment for activities provided
 Identification of sites organised
 Food provided

5. DISADVANTAGES OF YHA
 Very expensive – heavily subsidised by
school
 The programme felt overly ‘full’
 No ‘free time’ for children to socialise
 Groups often didn’t see each other during the
day
 No real ‘ownership’ of activities for school

6. THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE
ACADEMY CAMP
 Use of Bulwell Academy as a site for a low-
cost model for residentials
 Creating a programme of activities that could
be delivered by staff from feeder schools
rather than externally trained staff
 Training staff to confidently run activities
 Pairing up schools to share knowledge and
experience

7. DEVELOPING OUR INDEPENDENCE
 Moved away from the YHA model
 Sourced a site – we use Beaumanor Hall, in
Leicestershire
 Aimed for camping as it mirrored the Academy
Camp and the EAZ had purchased sleeping bags,
etc that we could borrow
 Self-catered
 Planned our own activities – a combination of using
trained guides and our own staff

8. THE PROGRAMME
a.m. p.m. Eve
Monday
17th
June
Leave school at 10am.
Unpack and familiarise
with layout of area.
Ground rules – together
Tent naming.
Create shield for tent
and badges for
members.
Discuss journeying
sticks
Free play
6.30 – 8.00
Evening walk to
Beacon Hill
Country Park
Tuesday
18th
June
9.30 – 12.00
Canoeing (14 + staff)
High ropes (24 + staff)
1.30 – 4.00
Bridge building
(38 + staff)
Organised games inc:
•Parachute
•Rounders
•Football
•Cricket
Wednesday
19th
June
9.30 – 12.00
Canoeing (24 + staff)
High ropes (14 + staff)
Organised games inc:
•Scavenger Hunt
•Den building
Barbeque
Camp fires with Kelly
kettles
Quiz
Thursday
20th
June
9.30 – 12.30
Pack camp away
1.30
Return to school

9. THE MENU
Breakfast Lunch Dinner
Monday
17th
June
Sandwiches
Crisps
Fruit
Small cake/biscuit bar
Pasta Bolognese
Angel Delight
Tuesday
18th
June
Cereal
Toast
Bacon butty
Sandwiches
Crisps
Fruit
Small cake/biscuit bar
Chicken stew
Camp donuts
Wednesday
19th
June
Cereal
Toast
Beans on toast
Sandwiches
Crisps
Fruit
Small cake/biscuit bar
Barbeque
Ice creams
Thursday
20th
June
Cereal
Toast
Egg, bacon and beans
Sandwiches
Crisps
Fruit
Small cake/biscuit bar

10. ADVANTAGES
 Much cheaper!
 Much more ‘relaxed’ feel – if we plan an activity in
the day, we free-up the evening
 Self-catering – children involved in preparation,
cooking and washing up (they loved it!)
 A combination of school-led and qualified staff led
activities (we did our own campfire and den building)
 Children were able to ‘chill out’ during each day at
some point and actually choose their own activities

11. DISADVANTAGES
 The weather has been extremely kind to us
so far … but …

12. AND FINALLY ….
The Paul Hamlyn Foundation enabled our
Bulwell EAZ to create our Academy Camp,
which in turn increased our confidence
enough for us to now run our own residential
that allows our children to be … well … kids!
For further information, please contact
tracey.west@ntlworld.com