Stepping Beyond the Classroom: Year 12’s Residential Highlights

Wednesday, 13 November 

As part of their Sixth Form studies, students are encouraged to complete service hours within the community. Year 12 were given the option of three placements, and once divided into groups, they were on their way!

At St Herbert’s Primary School, the students supported learning in various year groups. Some were teaching Maths and helping pupils add up to 10, while others were improving reading skills or perfecting their dance moves! At the Calvert Trust Outdoor Centre for Disabilities, students learned about the purpose and aims of the organisation. They were tasked with clearing footpaths for wheelchair users and even did some gardening. At Keswick Museum, students helped improve the outdoor classroom and learned how to make impressive origami books for the local community. The placements were grateful for our support, and the staff were thoroughly impressed by the students’ confidence and willingness to get involved.

After settling into the YHA Borrowdale, it was time to focus on academics. Year 12 reflected upon their organisational methods—both successful and manage their studies. At this stage of their Sixth Form education, we teach Year 12 the importance of conducting reliable research and how to cite and reference accurately. Academic integrity underpins many of our values at Windermere School.

After a delicious tea, the Collaborative Project began. These interdisciplinary tasks involved competitive team-building challenges requiring strategy, leadership, and critical thinking as students worked to collect as many points as possible. From boiling an egg with very limited resources to outdoor remote communication exercises, the students fully engaged and were determined to use their cross-curricular skills to win!

Thursday, 14 November

The morning began with an introduction to the Extended Essay for our Diploma Programme students and the Reflective Project for our Career-related Programme and Vocational Pathway students. We learned about the requirements of these projects as well as the valuable skills students will develop on their journey. Both the Extended Essay and Reflective Project are student-driven; we encourage Year 12 to base their projects on topics they are passionate about. These components are excellent preparation for further education.

A visit to Honister Climb the Mine injected some adventure and changed the pace of the day. Our risk-taking students took on the challenge of the via ferrata and climbed the walls of a working slate mine in darkness. There were nerves and excitement, but the day ended with everyone feeling a huge sense of achievement.

Friday, 15 November

The students were rewarded with a free morning and explored the beautiful town of Keswick. Shopping in the local markets and sampling the delicious food popular activities!

The final task of the residential required Year 12 to share their Global Presentations. This individual activity had students explore the Sustainable Development Goals and reflect on the skills they learned and developed throughout the trip.

At the end of a busy few days, we were all exhausted but grateful for the time spent together. Here’s to the next exciting challenge of Sixth Form!

Windermere School is an Independent Boarding and Day School for ages 3-18, across Junior School, Senior School and Sixth Form. The school offers holiday courses and a summer school programme, as well as short term immersion courses for international pupils, as well as an award winning IB programme. Join the adventure today >