Bursaries Available!

Inspiring Learning North Devon

School Trips

Bursaries Available! Residentials South West

Why book 'Inspiring Learning North Devon' for Residential School Trips and Educational Visits?

Kingswood has been delivering award-winning outdoor adventure learning trips for 40 years, engaging with the latest pedagogic research to design curriculum-linked programmes that develop confidence, resilience and learning ability.

Our newest centre is set amongst the beautiful hillsides of Abbotsham, beside Devon's 'adventure coast', and offers coastal walks, water sports and breath taking views.

While on site, children can enjoy our high ropes course, the highest in the South West, build new skills on our Ultimate Assault Course, or take on new challenges with our water sports. We also offer mountain boarding which is a great activity for schools looking to try an extreme sport in a safe learning environment.

In the evening, enjoy our cinema, education trails and sensory trails for something a little different.

Students can try a range of activities including raft building, walks across Devon's famous coast, surfing, initiative exercises and team games. After a busy day of adventure, relax around one of our fire pits and enjoy some evening entertainment.

Please note that only Adventure Plus is available at this centre due to the bespoke nature of our programmes. 'Adventure Plus' allows you to tailor-make your own activity programme to achieve specific learning outcomes. Simply let us know your desired outcome and we will work with you to create the perfect activity programme for your needs.

Our outdoor adventures are designed to ensure that you achieve your desired learning outcomes, whilst offering each child an opportunity to increase their resilience, grow their confidence and develop their character.

We work hard to provide quality education courses with affordable options. We offer a selection of trip durations, available all year round.

Our onsite gift shop offers snacks and drinks, plus souvenirs, games and basic essentials. Enjoy a quick snack at our café and a nutritious meal in our large dining hall.

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We have classrooms, break out spaces, presentation rooms, and quiet areas that are perfect for schools to use during their time away.

Teacher Checklist

Risk Assessments
Inspection Visits
Bursaries or Funded Places Available
Resource Packs
LOtC Quality Badge
AALA Licence
Institute of Outdoor Learning
British Activity Providers Association
Adventure Mark

What activities are available during group visits?

At this activity-packed centre you’ll find a high ropes aerial adventure, climbing, abseiling, archery, 3G Swing, aeroball, fencing and much more

North Devon has an exceptional water sports offering, with activities taking place both on-site and on the sea! Students can try out kayaking, surfing or SUP-ing; have a blast on the water assault course; or hone their teamwork in a raft-building challenge.

The stunning Devon countryside makes a fantastic backdrop for activities such as orienteering, camp craft, shelter building and coasteering.

For the real thrill-seekers, we also offer mountain boarding which is a great activity for schools looking to try an extreme sport in a safe learning environment.

Which Curriculum Subjects do you cater for?

Bushcraft

Used as either a full programme, or as individual progressive sessions, Bushcraft teaches young people the wide range of skills necessary to survive in a wilderness scenario.

Young people are encouraged to think about their perception of the natural world, as well as understand which elements can be utilised in conjunction with newly acquired skills; such as learning to construct a shelter, safely lighting a campfire using natural materials, and using campfire gadgets to cook a variety of meals outdoors.

Watersports

Canoeing Raft Building

An assortment of water-based activities are available across our Kingswood centres, from SUP, kayaking and canoeing to raft building and surfing; on a beautiful lake, a reservoir or on the waves at one of our coastal locations.

Raft-building is a great activity for learning the intricacies of teamwork, leadership, planning and problem solving, but more importantly how not to get wet! Pupils work together to design and build their raft out of barrels, logs and rope and take to the water to test out their craft. Naturally, safety is our top priority, so buoyancy aids and protective clothing are provided, and all activities are carried out in carefully controlled, safe environments.

Our fully qualified British Canoe Union trained Instructors organise games and aqua activities in our North American style canoes.

This reinforces basic canoeing skills, giving students the opportunity to try something different and building water confidence and team-working skills, all under the watchful eye of our trained lifeguard. Less confident pupils are always given plenty of gentle encouragement, and where required all of our watersports activities are licenced by the Adventure Activities Licensing Authority (AALA).

SEN

Autistic Spectrum Emotional and Behavioural Disorders Physical and Mobility Partially Wheelchair Accessible

Programmes contain plenty of opportunities to differentiate for varying abilities. Kingswood are able to accommodate participants with learning difficulties, challenging behaviours, and those who are mobility, visually or hearing impaired. An overview of the general suitability of key activities offered at our centres can be viewed on our website under the policies section. We encourage any group leaders to contact their chosen centre to arrange a free visit as early as possible in the planning process to discuss their requirements.

Team Building

This outdoor session encourages participants to make the most of our centres' spacious surroundings with team games. With a mix of formal 'sports' such as cricket, rounders, ultimate frisbee, basketball and football, through to fun games and races based on these skills, there's something for everyone to have fun in the fresh air. Students usually compete in small teams, displaying tactical awareness and strategy.

Physical Education

Climbing Canoeing Orienteering Archery Kayaking High Ropes

We offer a range of physical activities across our centres which promote health and wellbeing, resilience and team-building skills. Activities at North Devon include archery, fencing, laser tag, Quidditch, canoeing, climbing, abseiling and more.

What size groups do you cater for?

Any group size can be catered for. There is no minimum group size and providing there is availability, the maximum is the full centre capacity, splitting into smaller groups (maximum of 15) for activities.

Do you offer on-site classroom facilities?

Yes, please contact us to ask for more information.

Is there first aid on site?

All Kingswood staff complete health and safety training and there are always first aiders on site.

Do you offer access for visitors with disabilities?

We endeavour to make our centres accessible to as many young people as possible. Experience has taught us that the best way to understand the provision we offer, is for party leaders to visit the centre and discuss any requirements with the management team on site. We would encourage you to arrange a free visit for yourself and a guest with special needs to your chosen centre as early as possible in the planning process.

Do you cater for visitors with Special Educational Needs (SEN)?

Kingswood’s support of young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities, including learning difficulties, behavioural issues, hearing, visual or mobility impairment, can be found in the SEND document on the policies page of their website. Kingswood would encourage party leaders to contact the management team to arrange any SEND provisions.

Anything else?

Programme tailored to suit your learning outcomes
- First aiders and NSPCC trained Child Safety Officer on site
- Institute for Outdoor Learning
- AALA Watersports Licence
- Founder member of BAPA
- Adventuremark badge
- SkillsBuilder Level 3 accreditation
- Quality Badge Holder, Learning Outside the Classroom
- School Travel Awards Winner 2022 - Best residential experience
- Specialist environmental field studies teaching
- Our pre and post-visit toolkit will help you link your trip to tangible learning outcomes
- Our experience experts will support you from start to finish
- Programmes link to the curriculum, from character education to revision strategies and Environmental Field Studies
- Launch trips with a whole host of digital resources
- Save on places with one free party leader place for every ten young people. The Kingswood Hardship Fund can also fully fund up to 2 in every 10 places. To find out more about this, visit the funding support section of our website or email the sales team
- Risk assessments and safeguarding materials are easily accessible
- Meet centre teams ahead of your trip and get to know your chosen centre