School residentials in the Lake District
Our school residentials help pupils grow in confidence, independence and teamwork through our programme of outdoor education. Led by experienced instructors, we link outdoor experiences to key stage learning and pupil development.
Outdoor education at its finest
At Ghyll Head, discover courses that make the most of our fabulous Lake District location, with activities including canoeing, ghyll scrambling and mountain walking. Schools love how the curriculum is seamlessly woven into everything that we do, so the children learn within the natural environment.
Our highly experienced instructors stay with their assigned group for the duration of the course, allowing relationships to build and enabling them to adapt to the needs of each individual.
What's more, we create a welcoming, inclusive, safe, home-from-home environment where you will have exclusive access to your accommodation and ample opportunity to develop important independent living skills.
What courses do you offer for schools?
We've worked hand in hand with teachers and educational professionals to tailor our courses to support learning from year 3. Run throughout the year, our courses take advantage of the natural environment to help embed learning and develop problem-solving skills away from screens and the distractions of modern-day life. See below for two of our most popular courses or get in touch to discuss a programme tailored to support the needs of your pupils.
Primary school visits
Take learning outside of the classroom with Ghyll Head’s SATS Booster Courses. Designed to unlock your student’s full potential before the exams, these courses are focused on key areas of curriculum to help deepen your student's understanding of a subject and boost their confidence. Here's why you should consider a Ghyll Head SATS booster course:
Boost Confidence & Motivation
Our activity sessions are designed to energize and inspire your students, creating a positive mindset towards learning.
Seamless Subject Integration
Choose your focus. Whether it's English, Maths, or Science, our instructors weave these core subjects into every outdoor activity, reinforcing classroom learning in a dynamic, real-world setting.
Curriculum focus areas
Click to explore what's covered in each subject.
English
Describing their adventure using new vocabulary, enhancing comprehension through team challenges, and building confidence in speaking and listening. Reading comprehension, speaking and listening, grammar, punctuation, spelling, vocabulary, writing.
Maths
Applying number skills to real-life orienteering, problem-solving with measurements, and developing mental math strategies through time-based activities. Number, place value, operations, shape, measurement, data handling, fractions, decimals, percentages, algebra, mental maths, problem-solving, position & movement and real-world applications of maths.
If you would like more information or a quote, please email ghyllhead@gll.org or call 0153944375.
Secondary school visits
From revision weekends to science in the outdoors, discover how we work with secondary schools to improve student learning and outcomes.
Revision weekends
Designed for Year 10 and Year 11 students, our revision weekends offer an academic boost in a focused classroom setting, complemented by fun outdoor activities to further motivate individuals and build their confidence.
Reward courses
Looking for a way to motivate and reward your students? Our tailored activity breaks offer a fun-packed program of activities to inspire, engage, and challenge students in a positive and supportive environment.
Team challenge events
Encourage teamwork, resilience, and leadership with our competitive Team Challenge events. These dynamic experiences reward students not only for their outdoor skills but also for essential life skills such as communication, problem–solving, collaboration, and adaptability.
Geography field courses
Our geography field courses provide hands-on learning experiences that bring the subject to life. Students will be able to develop their map reading and compass navigation skills, explore geographical features first-hand in the Lake District, and engage in data collection and analysis for GSCE and A-Level coursework.
Science in the outdoors
Make science interactive and engaging with our practical, hands-on courses exploring rocks, materials, and ecosystems in a real-world setting. Our expert-led sessions give students a deeper understanding of natural processes while developing analytical skills.
Physical Education
We offer specialist courses that support schools in delivering GCSE ad BTEC PE Outdoor Modules. Led by experience professionals, these courses provide students with a deeper understanding of outdoor and adventure sports, hands-on experience in team-based physical challenges and a chance to develop leadership and coaching skills.
Sports studies
Our sports studies and leadership programmes enhance students’ knowledge of activity organisation and event planning, risk management in outdoor sports along with leadership and coaching skills.
Customised learning experiences
If you have specific curriculum requirements not listed above or unique ideas for your group, we'd love to hear them! We can design bespoke courses tailored to your student's learning objectives, making subjects more engaging and interactive. Simply email us to discuss your vision, and we’ll create a programme that meets your needs.
Duke of Edinburgh Award scheme
Ghyll Head is an Approved Activity Provider (AAP) for the expedition component for the Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme. Our philosophy is to offer training and qualifying expeditions to groups whatever their starting point and we will work with you to develop an itinerary that is challenging and developmental, within the framework of DofE Bronze, Silver and Gold.
We offer:
- Bronze and Silver Expeditions - walking or canoeing or both
- SEND expedition packages to meet the needs of your group
- In-house assessors or supervisors if needed
- Training weekends and practice expeditions
- Accommodation in tents, our POD Village or bungalow
- Expedition equipment hire
- Linear or circular route options from Ghyll Head
- Expeditions in the Lake District or Scotland e.g Great Glens
- Training for your staff and volunteer leaders
Stay with us at Ghyll Head
Find a range of stays and activities to help students flourish at Ghyll Head.
Two and four night courses
Our residential courses combine outdoor adventure with personal development. Programmes are tailored to your group’s aims and can be carefully adapted for SEND groups.
Example activities: Canoeing, ghyll scrambling, summit walk, climbing and zip wire/ropes course, orienteering, evening campfire (caving available on 4-night courses).
Capacity: 12 per instructor
We’ll work with you to design a course that meets your objectives.
Weekend visits
Weekend stays offer a condensed residential experience, beginning Friday evening and finishing Sunday afternoon, with a full programme of instructor-led activities.
Example activities: Canoeing, ghyll scramble, hill walk, climbing & zip wire/ropes course, evening activities.
Capacity: 12 per instructor
Ideal for groups looking for a shorter immersive experience.
Self-programmed residential options
Stay on site and run your own programme while benefiting from our facilities and outdoor resources. Choose from fully catered or self-catered options.
Available resources: Orienteering course, ropes course (with an induction from our staff beforehand), self-led walks and outdoor spaces.
Capacity: Various options available
A flexible option for schools and groups wanting greater independence.
Our accommodation
You will have exclusive access to your accommodation. We will create a welcoming, inclusive, safe, home-from-home environment. All our staff are First Aid trained. Accommodation is offered on either a fully-catered or self-catered basis.
The House
Our largest accommodation, The House sleeps up to 58 with generous social rooms, shared bedrooms and catered options. Ideal for larger groups. Includes a kit drying area and drying room.
Lake View Bungalow
The Bungalow sleeps up to 29 in hostel-style rooms with breath-taking views across Lake Windermere. Located minutes from the main house, it can be combined with The Lodge for extra bed space.
The Lodge
Our Lodge provides an extra 12-14 bunk-bed places with amazing views across Windermere. Can be hired alongside the Bungalow or House, with two dorms of six and one small room for two.
The Pod Village
Our Hive Pod Village has nine modern, heated wooden PODs (5x5 berth, 1x2 berth, 1x3 berth). Located in a discrete area with access to a separate classroom and outdoor spaces.
What catering options are available?
We offer fully catered or self catering accommodation. Our food is home cooked and healthy.
We regularly cater for different dietary requirements including vegan, vegetarian, Halal, gluten free etc.
If you let us know in advance of any food allergies we can prepare alternatives for you. If you would like to see an example menu, please just ask.
Visiting Ghyll Head during the Holy Month of Ramadan
If visiting during Ramadan, we will fully support and respect children from Muslim families while they are observing the customs of Ramadan during their stay with us.
Prior to their arrival with us, we will discuss with the school all aspects of the course and make additional arrangements if needed such as.