Kingswood – Dearne Valley
Photos of Kingswood – Dearne Valley
What will students see and do?
Dearne Valley was formerly the Earth Centre, one of the Millennium Commission projects. Situated in beautiful southern Yorkshire, just a 40-minute drive from Sheffield, this site opened its doors as a Kingswood Centre in 2012, following a multi-million pound investment programme.
It is the most environmentally sustainable of Kingswood’s centres and has one of Europe’s largest solar panels as well as its own on-site recycling plant. Outdoor classrooms are spread across 50 acres, delivering interactive learning in grassland, orchard and wooded areas.
Featuring both high- and low-ropes courses with zipwire as well as a range of exciting activities that include fencing, archery and water-based fun, Dearne Valley is a residential trip experience you will remember for some time to come.
How does the trip link to the curriculum?
Kingswood’s programmes are designed to specifically meet your needs and link back to the core curriculum, as well as developing environmental awareness and improving mental and physical wellbeing.
To enable you to deliver high-quality educational outcomes from your trip and effectively evaluate and evidence them in accordance with Ofsted Inspection Criteria, Kingswood has partnered with a range of innovative educational providers and sports associations, including the Council for Learning Outside the Classroom, the Institute of Outdoor Learning, British Fencing, Aim4Sport, British Canoeing, and EtonX.
Teachers will learn how to take part in the delivery of educational outcomes during the visit and give you the answers to any questions your OEA or EVC may have before they even ask.
Character development is at the core of each Kingswood programme, with a focus on confidence, resilience and life skills, which are delivered through a carefully designed mix of challenge, play and reflection.
Kingswood has adopted a ‘challenge by choice’ philosophy, incorporating a balance of outdoor adventure experiences matched to the capabilities of the learners.
Activities are designed to be exciting but not too far removed from pupils’ everyday experiences. This is to provide relevance for home and school life, acting as a motivator for personal growth.
Self-reliance, communication skills and teamwork are developed by reflecting upon and sharing information about challenges that require effort and perseverance. This type of strength-based learning allows participants to learn as much from their unsuccessful activities as they do from their successes.
Subjects covered
Teaching resources provided
• Lesson plans are linked to learning outcomes, and clear curriculum links are made for teachers in various subjects. Kingswood also provides teachers with after-trip lesson plans and materials that can be used in their own classrooms.
• To help teachers plan their trip, Kingswood has launched a user-friendly online portal called Trip Planner. Here, you’ll find everything you need to know, as well as all the forms you need to complete to ensure your stay runs smoothly.
• Make the Most of Your Residential booklet. In this guide, Kingswood suggests methods for making direct links from the activities you choose to the curriculum through extension activities which incorporate science, maths and drama amongst others.
For English language learning trips, Kingswood also provides:
• Pre-arrival academic testing to ascertain ability before arrival, so groups can jump straight into lessons from day one.
• A certificate of attendance of the English Language Course and a report on students’ individual progress, to help them record and continue their studies back home.
Minimum and maximum group size
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.
Details of risk assessment
All aspects of Kingswood’s operation are subject to risk assessment by its own in-house team. These are individuals who are qualified and experienced in outdoor education, adventurous activity and health and safety.
The content of the risk assessments is subject to further review and scrutiny by external technical advisors, statutory regulators and inspectors from the British Activity Providers Association.
All of risk assessments are reviewed on an annual basis as a minimum but may be subject to additional review and updates following incidents, external inspections, feedback from user groups or changes to operational practices.
Please click here for Kingswood Dearne Valley’s risk management arrangements.
Don't miss our downloadable A-Z guide on completing a risk assessment
Facilities on-site
Outdoor: high- and low-ropes courses with zipwire. Raft-building, kayaking and canoeing also available.
Indoor: indoor sports hall for climbing, archery, fencing, sport, teambuilding activities and laser zone as well as classrooms for learning.
Gift shops: selling snacks, drinks and souvenirs.
Other facilities: diner, chill-out areas, party-leader lounges and an outdoor amphitheatre.
Accommodation: dormitory-style accommodation, adventure lodges and new eco pods!
Opening times
This centre is open all year round.
Pricing
Prices vary depending on size of group and time of year; enquire today to get your bespoke quote.
Don’t forget to ask about Kingswood’s subsidised and fully funded places…
Kingswood Hardship Fund: Kingswood believes that outdoor adventure is for everyone and that every young person should have the chance to experience a transformative residential trip. That’s why it’s launched the Kingswood Hardship Fund to provide financial support for individual young people who face barriers to accessing this experience.
NCS Experiences: Kingswood proudly delivers fully funded National Citizen Service experiences to 15–17-year-olds. These five-day residential experiences are designed to build confidence, resilience and life skills for those entering adulthood.
Travel arrangements
Kingswood’s partner company, Britannia Coach Services, offers a convenient and competitive travel service for you to save you time and money.
All drivers from these coach operators are experienced in transporting school groups and have been through a DBS background check. Their vehicles are kept in top condition and meet all European safety standards as a minimum.
When you book your visit to Kingswood, you will automatically be sent a competitive transport quote tailored to your trip, so you won’t have to spend time shopping around; they’ll do the rest!
Address
Denaby Main
Doncaster
South Yorkshire
DN12 4EA
Book your school trip to Kingswood – Dearne Valley
For information on booking your school trip to this venue, click below.
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