Calvert Devon School Trip

Exeter EX31 4SJ

Residential Trip Residentials South West

School residential trips are undoubtedly special occasions. At Calvert Devon, we understand the complexities involved and the pressure to ensure that every detail is perfect while keeping students safe and engaged. That's why we're dedicated to providing support in every way possible.

We offer accessible accommodation for up to 106 people, complete with meals and a variety of adventure activities, making us an ideal choice for start, middle or end-of-year treats. We aim to create a venue where pupils and teachers can unwind and enjoy themselves whilst learning.

However, we don't stop at the basics. We assist with educational journeys that align with your school's syllabus and the National Curriculum. Think of us as a pre-planned, off-road trail into outdoor adventure, tailored to support your learning goals.

As proud members of the Council for Learning Outside the Classroom, we recognise the significance of student activities in achieving both individual and national educational targets. At Calvert Devon, we integrate much of the National Curriculum into the experiences of schools during their stay, whether intentionally or inadvertently, through the guidance of our staff and interactions with other residential guests. We collaborate closely with you to ensure alignment with your objectives and desired learning outcomes.

Our Calvert Curriculum offers a detailed overview of how Calvert Devon provides, enables and promotes the National Curriculum during your visit.

Duke of Edinburgh's Award Residential Courses

We are pleased to offer Duke of Edinburgh's (DofE) Award residential courses in North Devon, tailored for participants aged 16-24 years who are completing their Gold Award.

As Calvert Devon specialises in accessible breaks and disability-focused activities, we are in the unique position to welcome disabled, SEND, and high-needs students alongside mainstream individuals.

DATES

16th to 20th February 2026 (Half Term): For disabled, high-needs and mainstream participants

13th to 17th April 2026 (Easter School Holidays): For disabled, high-needs and mainstream participants

Summer School Holidays:

Monday 10th to Friday 14th August 2026 - For disabled and high-needs participants only

Monday 17th to Friday 21st August 2026 - For mainstream participants only

Teacher Checklist

Risk Assessments
Inspection Visits
Bursaries or Funded Places Available
LOtC Quality Badge
AALA Licence
Institute of Outdoor Learning
Adventure Mark
Duke of Edinburgh Award
RYA Centre
Paddle UK Centre
AHOEC Gold

We can visit your school in: South West

What activities are available during educational visits in 2026?

At Calvert Devon, “it’s what you can do that counts.”

We ensure that every individual, regardless of any special educational needs or physical disabilities, has the opportunity to shine. Our structured program of activities, led by qualified instructors with specially designed equipment, is tailored to accommodate a wide range of abilities. We prioritise continuity by assigning the same instructor to each activity group throughout their adventures, fostering familiarity and connection. Plus, all activities take place on-site, with the furthest being a five-minute stroll/roll to the Reservoir!

Which curriculum topics do we cater for?

Physical Education School Trip

High Ropes Archery Canoeing Zip Line Orienteering Climbing

Increasing physical activity increases concentration, improves information retention and releases vital endorphins for improving mental health. Having a fully accessible centre gives young people every opportunity they need to participate in physical activity. Most noticeably, our fleet of accessible bikes, canoes, and climbing equipment provides a challenging yet positive experience for all abilities at Wistlandpound Reservoir.

Bushcraft School Trip

Click to read full text Bushcraft is an activity that unleashes creativity and resourcefulness in the great outdoors. Whether carving tools from branches, hunting for wild edibles, or crafting cosy shelters, it’s an adventure that sparks self-reliance, imagination and a bond with nature that’s as strong as the friendships you make along the way.

Bushcraft sessions at Calvert Devon are a perfect mix of learning and fun! Depending on your needs, sessions can involve building shelters, sharing stories, foraging and even roasting marshmallows while exploring the therapeutic benefits of nature. Connect with nature through enriching hands-on tasks and connect in the tranquil woodlands of Calvert Exmoor. Workshops include fire lighting, water filtration, shelter building, whittling skills, and many more. Or they can be educational-based with classes around the campfire.

Watersports School Trip

Canoeing

Wistlandpound Reservoir provides a picturesque backdrop to experience canoeing and sailing. With no need to go off-site , this safe yet exciting environment provides students with everything they need to potentially experience something entirely new. Our instructors are happy to explain the inner workings of the reservoir and how the dam is helping create a sustainable environment whilst supplying fresh drinking water to Combe Martin, Ilfracombe and Barnstaple.

Team Building School Trip

We ensure that every individual, regardless of any special educational needs or physical disabilities, has the opportunity to shine. Our structured program of activities, led by qualified instructors with specially designed equipment, is tailored to accommodate a wide range of abilities. We foster familiarity and connections. Plus, all activities take place on-site, with the furthest being a five-minute stroll/roll to the Reservoir! Ultimately, it all adds up to create the perfect team-building environment where students embrace and tackle every activity together, communicating, compromising and supporting each other.

What size groups do we cater for?

Up to 106

On-site classroom facilities?

Yes We do have the ability to provide a classroom-like environment. You can tell us your group size and any specific requirements in the form below.

Is there first aid on site?

Yes, including a duty instructor who is on-site and available and on call from 17:00 in the evening until 09:00 in the mornings.

Access for visitors with disabilities

Our centre and 40 acre site is fully accessible.

Visitors with Special Educational Needs (SEN)

100% yes Our mission involves us having stringent accessibility policies, insurances and an array of accessible equipment from which you, our guests, can benefit.

As one of the few accessible activity centres in the UK, we pride ourselves on our ability to offer our services to everyone, regardless of ability.

Anything else?

We work with numerous schools and colleges across the UK, both specialist and mainstream, and have developed several programs to fulfill school's needs.

We also love working with you to tailor our breaks to meet your needs, building a course around a curriculum area or theme that works for you; we would love to hear from you to explore more together!

Who are Calvert Devon?

Calvert Devon is a specialist provider of residential adventure breaks for schools. Our mission is to ensure no barriers exist when it comes to residential trips which we achieve by offering leading facilities and experiences that enable us to provide extraordinary support to all students. It is important to our ethos that we surpass expectations for everyone and offer equal opportunities that provide individually tailored challenges. Whilst our core values focus on ensuring there are equal opportunities for young people and adults with a disability we firmly believe accessible to everyone means everyone; mainstream schools, academies, independent schools, special schools, specialist resource bases, pupil referral units and anyone else who could benefit from our tailored programmes.

Set in beautiful countryside on the edge of Exmoor National Park, the converted Victorian farm courtyard at Wistlandpound Reservoir, North Devon and 40-acre site has been designed to allow us to cater for students of all levels of ability. The centre sleeps up to 106 people; activities are undertaken in groups of 10-12, with shared dining and recreational spaces for meal times. Break-out spaces, sensory room, swimming pool and evening entertainment are all included for your enjoyment outside of your activity programme at no additional cost to our all-inclusive packages.

For schools, our mid-week breaks Monday to Friday consist of four nights in the accommodation, three hot meals a day freshly prepared by our dedicated in-house catering team and three full days of exciting outward bound activities including abseiling, horse riding and carriage driving, cycling, climbing, tandem canoeing, archery, bushcraft and many more - all of course with a capacity to be adaptable for any student with a disability.

How does funding at Calvert Devon work? We can award guests who require financial assistance funding towards a break at Calvert Devon, thanks to the hard work of our fundraising team and the generous donations of our supporters and benefactors. If you’re interested in a funding bursary, please let our Guest Services team know at point of booking and they can talk to you about this in more detail. We can offer: 5-15% off the total tariff cost for groups and schools/organisations