Woodrow High House

At Woodrow we work with over 7,000 young people every year, therefore we understand what makes a brilliant residential.

We use learning and evaluation tools to establish the value of the work we do with the young people that visit us, supporting and challenging them to become the best they can be. Regularly receiving positive feedback on the memorable experiences we have helped to create.

“The staff and instructors go above and beyond the call of duty in caring for their visitors – I always leave impressed” St. Stephen’s CE Primary School

“Woodrow has a ‘family’ feel to it, especially meal times. The environment allows the children to be independent. They get to know their group leaders and take inspiration and enthusiasm from them” St Mary’s Primary School

- 87% of children felt coming to Woodrow helped them try new things.
- 82% of children felt coming to Woodrow helped them not give up.
- 80% of children felt coming to Woodrow helped them to listen

We have a wide range of exciting activities including: high ropes; archery; low-ropes; nightline; pioneering; orienteering; challenge course; team exercise; raft-building; swimming; bushcraft; shelter building; mini beast hunt; scavenger hunt; woodland walk; djembe jam; rocket build; drop-it pop-it; wacky races; sports games; wide games; parachute games; ghost story; quiz; campfire; manor mysteries; and disco.

Did you know... we also run Level 1 OCN accredited youth leadership residentials. The course takes place over three days and includes learning about the theory of leadership, different leadership styles and effective styles of communication. We combine this with a number of our outdoor activities where the young people get to put their learning into practice. The training is delivered using interactive and engaging methods, including group work and practical activities that will support the young people to develop their understanding of leadership. This all feeds into a workbook that young people complete individually, with support from Woodrow staff, over the course of the training.

We cater for a variety of group sizes, with 113 beds spread across 23 bedrooms, and extra space for campers! The house is divided into “zones”, with each group having their own private accommodation areas. Alternatively you may wish to book for exclusive house use. For the majority of our session delivery, we operate on a ratio of one instructor to fifteen young people.

We have three classroom facilities available. Each can be set be set up with tables, chairs, a projector and screen to suit the needs of your group. We can also provide your group with flip-chart stands if required.

All of our instructors are first aid qualified. Our Duty Managers are on call twenty-four hours a day for peace of mind. We also have a Duty Instructor who stays in the house overnight in case of emergencies. The centre also has an AED.

We have a number of rooms with wider doors to ensure they are wheelchair accessible. These rooms come equipped with an en-suite/in-room shower with shower seating. These rooms also have an en-suite, shared toileting area with emergency pull cords and rails for assistance. We can also provide our disabled visitors with a “Seahorse Chair” (shower chair) and manual hoist. Guests will need to bring their own slings. We have an outdoor all-terrain buggy which can be used for getting around the site to various activities.

We encourage and include all members of the group and are flexible in our programme design ensuring everyone has the opportunity to participate. As a charity we work with children of all ages, backgrounds and learning abilities.