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Adventures & life lessons at Year 9 camp

13th August 25

Students are pictured from behind walking down a coastal path, with greenery around them, the sea to the right and a big blue sky

Experience, travel – these are an education in themselves” – Euripides, 5th century playwright

Summer Term saw our Year 9s swap classrooms for coastlines, heading off on week-long adventures in Cornwall, Dorset and Devon.

Hiking over rugged cliffs, cycling along winding lanes, paddle-boarding on the glistening sea – every day brought new challenges and adventures.

With phones locked away on arrival, evenings were spent playing board games, cooking for one another and deepening friendships.

Along the way, students developed invaluable life skills, including independence, co-operation, self-awareness and confidence.

See more from each of the camps in the photo fact files below. Click on the images to see them in more detail and scroll through more!

Haven Holiday Park, Poole, Dorset

Highlights: Kayaking, windsurfing, paddleboarding, hiking to Lulworth Cove

A student says: “The best bit for me was hanging out with new people and making new connections” Eila Z-J

A group of 15 students sit in a circle on the beach at sundown. They are all turned to look at the camera. A long, low row of buildings can be seen behind them.

Three male students on the terrace of a static home at sundown. Two are sitting around a table and one stands.

A group or around students pose on and around a giant rainbow-coloured deckchair

Four female students stand in a line in the kitchen of a static caravan. Two hold dirty dishes, one is washing up, and the fourth is using a tea towel to dry a plate.

An open glass door on the side of a holiday home reveals a group of female students sat inside, smiling for the camera

Tintagel, Cornwall

Highlights: Paddleboarding, hiking to Tintagel Castle, seeing the Gallos sculpture, biking the Camel Trail

A student says: “We took a boat and did cliff jumping one day – that was a real highlight for me” Max C

A group of nine students stand on a country lane, with green fields either side and a grand building in the distance.

A group of students stand on a suspension bridge, with a clifftop, the sea and a vast blue sky behind them

A group of around 10 students pose on bicycles next to a sea view

A group of 12 students wear wetsuits and stand next to a paddleboard on the floor. An adult instructor is giving a tutorial.

A group of nine students stand around a metal statue on a stone-platform by the sea

Surf Camps in Woolacombe and Twitchen, Devon

Highlights: Surf lessons, hiking to Baggy Point, coasteering, beach games

A student says: “This camp was great for pushing your abilities. Being in a smaller group really encouraged you to make friends with new people in your year group.” Kitty M

A group of students from The King Alfred School sit on a beach, with one student buried in the sand up to his neck. Sand dunces and a lifeguard station can be seen behind them.

Three female students sit with their backs to the camera on a picturesque clifftop, with the sea beyond them.

Two students wearing wetsuits carry surf boards across wet sand at a beach, with a small town and clifftops behind them.

Four male students sit smiling on a sandy beach. a fifth boy can be seen buried in the sand, with only his head visible.

A group of students walk a coastal path across a green clifftop, with the sea and a vast sky to the left and above.

A group of four male students stand on a miniature golf course. One is putting a ball with a golf club, whilst the others watch on.

A girl in shadow hands a plate of food to a boy through the window of a static caravan. A queue of fellow students is stood behind him.

A female student swings from a rope tied to a tree branch in a woodland area, whilst two male students watch on.

Year 9 Camp is just one of the enriching trips we offer throughout the school year. You can discover more about the full range of camps and residential trips we offer at home and abroad in our booklet Beyond The Classroom on our Upper School co-curricular page.

Adventures & life lessons at Year 9 camp

Haven Holiday Park, Poole, Dorset

Tintagel, Cornwall

Surf Camps in Woolacombe and Twitchen, Devon

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