And here we are, with the 2025 Kingswood School Journey in the rear-view mirror. For those of you who were not lucky enough to join us for the wild ride, here’s a little taste of what we got up to!

Our well-rehearsed systems kicked on Wednesday morning, so that when children arrived at school, their luggage was labelled and organised, ready to load. Before long, children and staff from across both sites were assembled and distributed across three mini buses. In a horn-tooting convoy we set off for Shorne Country Park, leaving behind a group of waving parents and our friends at school.

Almost before we knew it, we were unloading the buses at our first stop and heading towards the adventure playground. We swung and slid and balanced and spun with lots of confidence, laughter and energy. All of this action gave a good appetite for our packed lunch back at the café, fuelling ourselves for the rest of the day.

Replenished, we boarded the buses again and hit the road for Kingswood. We were soon at our home from home for the next few days: York House. Lots of helpers assisted with unloading luggage, labelling doors and distributing supplies. With so many staff and children who know the ropes, we were soon settled in.

Our first activity was a gentle environmental art session all together. We had lots of challenges to collect natural materials to create portraits and plates with our favourite meals. We included an old favourite: create an outline in leaves for someone lying on the ground, before having some fun exploring, rolling and chasing in the grounds.

Then it was time for dinner – our first meal together and time to acquaint (or re-familiarise) ourselves with the dinner hall, where all our meals would be served. After a good feed up, we strolled over in the mild evening air to our campfire. There, Roman (one of the Kingswood instructors), led us in a chorus of silly songs, and even sillier

actions, before we gave into to the sticky, sweet temptation of s’mores. There was only one was to burn off all of that sugar-fuelled energy before bedtime, and that was an impromptu outdoor disco! Then, as the rush faded it was back to York House, for showers, PJs, teeth and bed.

Thursday dawned, bright and sunny, earlier for some than others! We washed, dressed and assembled for breakfast to sustain us for an exciting day ahead. For one group, it started with fencing, learning some stances and new words to go along with equipment: foils, not swords; masks, not helmets; en-guard, not ready, steady, go! With this new knowledge and the kit to go with it, they were off, parrying back and forth across the piste, jabbing and causing the most dramatic of defeats! Meanwhile, the other group was getting a taste of laser tag: armed with laser shooters, they ducked and hid, blasting at the other team, resulting in cries of mercy and some Oscar-worthy demises.

Next, we came together for one of the highlights of our activity programme, the 3G swing. We had both swings in full action, with pairs of adults and children being hoisted up as far as they dared, before pulling the ripcord and being released into a stomach-jolting plummet. After the initial terrifying drop, they launched back up into the air, gradually slowing to a gentle swing. There was lots of bravery, shrieks of excitement and cheers of encouragement all round.

After a satisfying lunch, the afternoon started with a team tech session, where we were challenged, in teams, to compete to build the longest vehicle, then a dog which could transform into a giraffe! Much sorting, choosing and joining of components later, the results were spectacular. Then we took advantage of the hall space for a game of Duck, Duck, Goose before heading outside for our next session.

Aeroball was a big hit, providing time for a good bounce on the trampolines, whilst tossing balls between them to our friends. Meanwhile, others competed in ever-more challenging bean-bag races, or played football, basketball and chase on the ball court, while we took in turns to visit the shop for goodies or a souvenir.

After a day full of action, it was time for dinner, catching up with friends and talking about our best bits. That provided us with enough energy to head over to the cinema, where after some consideration and a vote, The BFG was selected for movie night.

Much action and popcorn munching later, sleepyheads traipsed back over to York house for showers and bed.

No sooner than our heads had hit the pillow, seemingly, it was Friday morning and the usual last-day flurry of activity: packing up our belongings, stripping our beds and vacating our rooms before we headed over for breakfast. That gave us the substance we needed for the final day’s activities. It was time for a swap over, so one group joined their instructor for fencing, while the other collected the equipment ready for laser tag. Much fun – as well as stunts and choreographed tragedy – ensued.

We came together one last time for the much-anticipated zip-line. Children and adults kitted up with harnesses and helmets, ready to climb the tall tower to the launch platform. Wherever children got to in their ascent, and whether or not they took the leap of faith into thin air, suspended on a wire high above the ground, we were proud of their courage and sense of adventure. And there were many takers for a second go, after they realised what adrenaline-fuelled fun it was.

There was just time for some lunch before we jumped back in the minibuses for the journey back to school to see our friends, and home to see our families.

It was another fantastic school journey, made possible by a brilliant and adventurous group of children, a committed and caring group of staff and a fantastic support team back at school.