Kingswood - Overstrand Hall

School Trips

Why book 'Kingswood - Overstrand Hall' for Residential School Trips and Educational Visits?

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.

Head for an adventure at our unique coastal Tudor manor house, Overstrand Hall.

Set in a nine-acre estate with an impressive manor house in a vibrant seaside town on the North Norfolk coast, situated next to a sandy beach on a stretch of coastline designated an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Overstrand Hall is nestled right beside the beach in a beautiful area of North Norfolk, in a breath-taking rural setting that's perfect for adventure.

Drive through the gates of Overstrand Hall and you are greeted by the spectacular Lutyens Manor House, where students and group leaders are housed during their visit. It also features classroom space for on-site learning and privately-run workshops. This location also offers excursions that can be fitted into your trip, such as: London River Cruise or Walking Tour, London Knightsbridge - Science Museum & Natural History, Punting in Cambridge and the Brighton SeaLife Centre.

This tranquil, stately setting is home to an exhilarating adventure activity park set amongst beautiful landscapes and wooded gardens. Here, students can face challenging adventures ranging from the high ropes to an artificial caving system, and demanding initiative exercises such as woodland problem-solving course.

This centre boasts recently refreshed party leader bedrooms that are complete with contemporary furnishings, tea and coffee making facilities.

All party leader rooms are close to student dormitories and contain ensuite bathrooms. Student accommodation is dormitory-style ranging from 4-16 beds, with gender-separated bathroom and shower facilities.

Whether you would like to create your own activity programme, or let the experts do it for you, 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.

Our most versatile programme, 'Adventure', is the perfect choice if you are looking for a diverse set of challenges and activities that cover all aspects of the curriculum. This programme features a mix of daily activities, evening educational entertainment and dedicated time with the Course Director for each child to engage in all aspects of the curriculum and reflect on their learning.

Alternatively, '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.

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

Other facilities: diner, social hubs, party leader lounges, indoor classroom spaces

Our on-site shop sells snacks and drinks, souvenirs, games and mementos

Teacher Checklist

Risk Assessments
Inspection Visits
Free Places for Teachers
Resource Packs
LOtC Quality Badge
AALA Licence
Institute of Outdoor Learning
ABTA Licence
British Activity Providers Association
Adventure Mark
NCS Centre

What activities are available during group visits?

Outdoor highlights: High ropes, aeroball, climbing, abseiling, archery, bushcraft, environmental sessions, outdoor laser zone, obstacle course

Indoor highlights: Artificial indoor caving system, bouldering, classroom space in the spectacular Lutyens Manor House

Nearby: Woodland and beachside surroundings perfect for exploring and bushcraft activities

Which Curriculum Subjects do you cater for?

Team Building

Creativity, collaboration, communication and critical thinking are recognised as the key 21st century skills needed for success in education and beyond. At Kingswood, young people are challenged in a myriad of ways, both as individuals and in teams, whether this be during raft building, orienteering, bushcraft challenges or high ropes scrambling; spurring one another on to complete the adventure. New for September 2023 is the Skills4Life programme for secondary school aged students, designed to offer progressive exposure to challenges which have meaningful, real-life application and will build resilience. Working in teams to collaborate with or compete against one another, young people will gain important life skills whilst enjoying some fun and rewarding experiences.

SEN

Autistic Spectrum Emotional and Behavioural Disorders General Learning Difficulties Deafness 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.

Fieldstudies

Ecosystems Sustainability Mapping

GCSE Geography fieldwork programmes are delivered by our specialist environmental instructors; designed to meet the needs of your chosen specification and study focus. With fantastic locations your students can study real world geography. IT follow up sessions allow your students to present their fieldwork results using GIS and Excel. Enabling them to analyse their findings and evaluate their investigation whilst it is still fresh in their minds.

At A level, Geography students undertake fully independent investigations with trained instructors on hand to facilitate and advise in the research, methodology development and collection of their primary data. Our instructors can also give practical support when presenting this data using Excel and GIS. Programmes can be tailored to include a variety of human and physical topics, meeting the needs of the different exam board specifications and the questions of your students.

Kingswood also offers GCSE and A level Biology fieldwork studies. Bring ecology to life with our specially trained and passionate instructors and explore a wide variety of environments with our specialist instructors.

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 Overstrand Hall include climbing, abseiling, archery, laser tag, fencing, raft building, canoeing, zip-lining and an extensive high ropes course featuring our Leap of Faith and Jacobs Ladder challenges.

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

Kayaking Canoeing Raft Building

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).

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?

Classrooms are available to use throughout your residential. Please contact us directly to find out more about our computer labs.

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
- 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