Wales High School clocks up fifth residential visit to Gulliver’s Valley
The first school to hold a residential visit to Gulliver’s Valley has completed its fifth consecutive trip – and has already booked to visit again in 2026!
Wales High School first visited Gulliver’s Valley Theme Park Resort in October 2021 and have been bringing students each year for a residential visit that is considered vital in helping youngsters transition between primary school and high school.
A secondary school in Rotherham, Wales High School has more than 1,800 students aged 11-19. Having recently hosted the school, Gulliver’s Valley, nestled in Rother Valley between Rotherham and Sheffield, is keen to let more schools know how they can support them with affordable residential stays while helping them achieve their required learning outcomes through their ever-expanding activity offering.
Over the last five years Gulliver’s Valley has proved a big hit with schools and groups looking for enriching and unforgettable experiences which take advantage of the park’s diverse offering.
Each activity is carefully crafted to develop skills such as teamwork, communication, leadership, and resilience while providing a fun and engaging environment for learning.
Craig Seedhouse, resort director at Gulliver’s Valley, said: “The benefits of residential visits for pupils who have recently moved from primary school to secondary school are well-documented and we are proud that more than 100 schools now choose to stay with us each year, both primary and secondary schools, all of which has been inspired by Wales High’s first visit to us in 2021.
“Making the move to secondary school can be as daunting as it is exciting for young people, not to mention for their parents and carers. We work closely with the schools to plan their visits to help build children’s confidence, so that they begin to feel part of their new school community and get to know their new teachers.
“The children and teachers love the wide range of over 25 different activities we can provide, including a climbing wall, archery, grass sledging, laser tag, nightline and bushcraft. The team-building exercises provide a fantastic platform for youngsters to bond and develop trust.
“All our residential stays are fully catered with all activities led by our activity rangers. We understand that organising a residential stay can be a complex task for schools and teachers. With so many factors to coordinate alongside everyday responsibilities, we recognise the importance of making the process as simple and stress-free as possible.”
Studies show that one of the main reasons children are nervous at high school is because of worry about bonding with their peers and teachers.
Residential visits help boost children’s confidence and self-esteem, away from the school environment. The students meet new friends, develop resilience and confidence, and gain experience in team building, which will be beneficial to their lives in secondary school and when they move into the workplace.
To book a residential school at Gulliver’s, call 01925 444 888 or email [email protected], or visit: https://groups.gulliversfun.co.uk/ for more information.