Year 7 Residential Trip

Oaker Wood is based in North Herefordshire, in 175 acres of mature woodland, in the heart of the countryside, half an hour's drive from Hereford, 1 1/2 hours from central Birmingham, yet once you arrive, you feel a million miles away. Children experience a magical adventure at Oaker Wood, sleeping in Wooden Pods, learning to light campfires, scaling trees, taking on our challenging assault course or racing the length of the lake on a raft. Accommodation is based in Glamping Villages which are exclusive to each school group.

This year, all houses are attending Oaker Wood from Tuesday 14th July to Thursday 16th July.

As you are aware, the Year 7 Oaker Wood residential is fast approaching. We have prepared the following presentation, which contains all the information you will need and replaces the Information Evening. The presentation is approximately 15 minutes long and there is an opportunity at the end to submit any questions.

Oakerwood Information Presentation 2026

Summary of the week:

	Day 1	Day 2	Day 3
AM	8:00am arrival at school 11:00am approximate arrival time at Oaker Wood - camp introduction	Breakfast Borneo Team challenge	Pack bags Breakfast Paintball
Lunch	BYO packed lunch	Lunch	Lunch
PM	Rafting/Woodland Frypton	Monkey Climb and Quick Jump Gladiator and Zip Wire	One activity 1:00pm depart Oaker Wood 3:15pm approximate arrival time back to school
Evening	Camp fire and games	Camp fire and games	Sleep!

A few things to note for arriving on Day 1

• 8:00am to the canteen

• A packed lunch is required, with a bottle of water for the day

• Medication should be clearly labelled with students name and dosage and time instructions clear. These should be passed on to a member of staff (including paracetamol)

• Asthma inhalers and epipens to stay with the student

 

Any updates on variances to this time will be posted the Henry Box School Facebook page. https://www.facebook.com/thehenryboxschool/

 

Every December we hold a Santa Run for Year 7 to fundraise for their Year 7 residential. This marks the start of discussions and excitement of the Year 7 residential. Any profits made from the run subside the costs of the residential which every Year 7 has the chance to attend in the following July.

Year 7 Santa run - Residential fundraising event

 

At Oaker Wood Leisure, Herefordshire

Follow this link and scroll down to access video tour of Oaker Wood

An Education Secretary once quoted:

"Every young person should experience the world beyond the classroom. It is an essential part of learning and personal development… These experiences can literally change lives”

• Being away from home, trying new things, gaining confidence, making new friends, being more self-reliant, being encouraged to grow, being independent.

• A chance to shine outside of the classroom, away from the traditional curriculum

• Unique opportunity for students to spend time getting to know their peers and staff even better

• A treasured experience, that's talked about and remembered

"Ethan enjoyed his residential. It gave him confidence in himself."

 

"Great trip! Children could feel a bit of independence. Wonderful adventure, I am happy that my son could go there."

 

"Shannon had a wonderful time on the residential, thoroughly enjoyed herself. All the activities that she took part in, she said she had fun with her friends, teachers and staff."

 

"Now, almost 5 days later, and we are still coming out with something that happended whilst being on the residential."

 

Living at the glamping villages and being away from home:

Accommodation at Oaker Wood Leisure is made up of two Glamping Villages. Each village is set amongst mature trees and positioned in a beautiful secluded spot overlooking the sun setting over the Welsh mountains. Designed to give a wilderness feel without removing too many of your creature comforts. The beds will have a bed linen sheet but students will be required to bring a sleeping bag and pillow. Except for the first packed lunch on Day 1, all meals are supplied by Oaker Wood. Each morning is a hearty breakfast to set students up for the day, lunches are packed lunches as the students are on the go for days 2 and 3 and each evening students will have an evening meal. A vegetarian option is offered for every meal. Please inform the school of any dietary requirements that your child may have and these will be accommodated whilst away. 

Hygiene is very important over these three days, as the students are very active. Students will be encouraged to shower daily, change their clothes and clean their teeth, just as they would at home. Please no spray deodorants as they can be known to set of fire alarms.

We suggest bringing old clothes as we have had years with lots of rain and mud and other years of heat and lots of sweating! Clothes should be comfortable and suitable for outdoor activities, please see the kit list. Designer clothes are best left at home, as they may never be the same after this residential!

Students are asked not to bring anything of any value; they will be responsible for their own belongings.  No mobile phones please, we want to encourage friendships and engagement in the planned events. Also, staff who have worked at other schools report no end of problems in dormitories with people awake through the night on their phones.  Students will need a good night’s sleep to get the most out of the daily activities.  If students are discovered with mobile phones they will be confiscated and returned at school. Please support us with this.

Some students may worry about homesickness, this is totally normal, although we have found that most students are too busy with activities to worry.  Please be assured that hearing nothing from them is a good thing, if there are problems our leaders will contact you. 

Daily Facebook updates from the staff will come through; these are usually in the evening after all are settled. Reception is not the most reliable in the area and sometimes staff struggle to upload lots of pictures.

    

Staff with each group carry a school mobile phone in case of emergencies, if you need to contact your child urgently please contact the school and a message will be sent to staff to contact you back.

Equipment / Kit:

Please see below for link

Behaviour and expectations:

• Follow teachers’ instructions at all times

• Arrive at meeting points punctually

• Behave appropriately during meal times

• Wear seat-belts on the coach at all times

• Behave appropriately in the castle grounds and public places

• Complete Oaker Wood diary

School policy is to monitor student’s behaviour on trips. If it’s unacceptable students may not be allowed on future trips.  Should your child’s behaviour be unsatisfactory or unsafe parents will be contacted, if necessary parents may be asked to come and collect their child. This has happened very rarely but I have to say it, just in case!).

 

Website Links:

https://www.oakerwoodleisure.co.uk/