School residentials in the Lake District
Our school residentials help pupils grow in confidence, independence and teamwork through our programme of outdoor education. Led by experienced instructors, we link outdoor experiences to key stage learning and pupil development.
Outdoor education at its finest
At Ghyll Head, discover courses that make the most of our fabulous Lake District location, with activities including canoeing, ghyll scrambling and mountain walking. Schools love how the curriculum is seamlessly woven into everything that we do, so the children learn within the natural environment.
Our highly experienced instructors stay with their assigned group for the duration of the course, allowing relationships to build and enabling them to adapt to the needs of each individual.
What's more, we create a welcoming, inclusive, safe, home-from-home environment where you will have exclusive access to your accommodation and ample opportunity to develop important independent living skills.
What courses do you offer for schools?
We've worked hand in hand with teachers and educational professionals to tailor our courses to support learning at key stage 3 and 4. Run throughout the year, our courses take advantage of the natural environment to help embed ideas and develop problem-solving away from screens and the distractions of modern-day life. See below for two of our most popular courses or get in touch to discuss a programme tailored to support the needs of your pupils.
View programmes for the following:
Primary school visits
Take learning outside of the classroom with Ghyll Head’s SATS Booster Courses. Designed to unlock your student’s full potential before the exams, these courses are focused on key areas of curriculum to help deepen your student's understanding of a subject and boost their confidence. Here's why you should consider a Ghyll Head SATS booster course:
Boost Confidence & Motivation: Our activity sessions are designed to energize and inspire your students, creating a positive mindset towards learning.
Seamless Subject Integration: Choose your focus. Whether it's English, Maths, or Science, our instructors weave these core subjects into every outdoor activity, reinforcing classroom learning in a dynamic, real-world setting.
English: Describing their adventure using new vocabulary, enhancing comprehension through team challenges, and building confidence in speaking and listening. Reading comprehension, speaking and listening, grammar, punctuation, spelling, vocabulary, writing.
Maths: Applying number skills to real-life orienteering, problem-solving with measurements, and developing mental math strategies through time-based activities. Number, place value, operations, shape, measurement, data handling, fractions, decimals, percentages, algebra, mental maths, problem-solving, position & movement and real-world applications of maths.
If you would like more information or a quote, please email ghyllhead@gll.org or call 0153944375.
Secondary school visits
From revision weekends to science in the outdoors, discover how we work with secondary schools to improve student learning and outcomes.
Revision weekends
Designed for Year 10 and Year 11 students, our revision weekends offer an academic boost in a focused classroom setting, complemented by fun outdoor activities to further motivate individuals and build their confidence.
Reward courses
Looking for a way to motivate and reward your students? Our tailored activity breaks offer a fun-packed program of activities to inspire, engage, and challenge students in a positive and supportive environment.
Team challenge events
Encourage teamwork, resilience, and leadership with our competitive Team Challenge events. These dynamic experiences reward students not only for their outdoor skills but also for essential life skills such as communication, problem–solving, collaboration, and adaptability.
Geography field courses
Our geography field courses provide hands-on learning experiences that bring the subject to life. Students will be able to develop their map reading and compass navigation skills, explore geographical features first-hand in the Lake District, and engage in data collection and analysis for GSCE and A-Level coursework.
Science in the outdoors
Make science interactive and engaging with our practical, hands-on courses and exploring rocks, materials, and ecosystems in a real-world setting. Our expert-led sessions give students a deeper understanding of natural processes while developing analytical skills.
Physical Education
We offer specialist courses that support schools in delivering GCSE ad BTEC PE Outdoor Modules. Led by experience professionals, these courses provide students with a deeper understanding of outdoor and adventure sports, hands-on experience in team-based physical challenged and a chance to develop leadership and coaching skills.
Sports studies
Our sports studies and leadership program enhance students’ knowledge of activity organisation and event planning, risk management in outdoor sports along leadership and coaching skills.
Duke of Edinburgh (DofE) provision
We offer expedition training and assessment for the Silver Award, our 2-day training courses for students, teachers, and youth leaders cover navigation & route planning, walking & hiking skills, canoeing & water safety, and camp craft & outdoor survival skills.
Customised learning experiences
If you have specific curriculum requirements not listed above or unique ideas for your group, we'd love to hear them! We can design bespoke courses tailored to your student's learning objectives, making subjects more engaging and interactive. Simply email us to discuss your vision, and we’ll create a programme that meets your needs.
Stay with us at Ghyll Head
Find a range of stays and activities to help students flourish at Ghyll Head. Departure time for all stays is 1pm.
Two and four night courses
Our residential courses combine outdoor adventure with personal development. Programmes are tailored to your group’s aims and can be adapted for SEND groups.
Example activities: Canoeing, ghyll scrambling, summit walk, climbing and zip wire/ropes course, orienteering, evening campfire (caving available on 4-night courses).
Capacity: 12 per instructor
We’ll work with you to design a course that meets your objectives.
Weekend visits
Weekend stays offer a condensed residential experience, beginning Friday evening and finishing Sunday afternoon, with a full programme of instructor-led activities.
Example activities: Canoeing, ghyll scramble, hill walk, climbing & zip wire/ropes course, evening activities.
Capacity: 12 per instructor
Ideal for groups looking for a shorter immersive experience.
Self-programmed residential options
Stay on site and run your own programme while benefiting from our facilities and outdoor resources. Choose from fully catered or self-catered options.
Available resources: Orienteering course, ropes course, self-led walks and outdoor spaces.
Capacity: House-only hire available
A flexible option for schools and groups wanting greater independence.
Our accommodation
You will have exclusive access to your accommodation. We will create a welcoming, inclusive, safe, home-from-home environment. All our staff are First Aid trained. Accommodation is offered on either a fully-catered or self-catered basis. Our Main House sleeps up to 58 and our Bungalow can sleep up to 29 . We also have our Lodge which has a further 12 - 14 beds, find out more below.
The House
Our largest group accommodation, the House offers generous social rooms, shared bedrooms and catered or self-catered options. Best suited to groups of 40+. Includes a kit drying area and drying room.
Lake View Bungalow
The Bungalow has the most breath-taking views across Windermere, Coniston and Langdale. Situated only a few minutes' stroll from the main house, the Bungalow sleeps up to 29 in hostel-style rooms and can be combined with The Lodge for extra bed space.
The Lodge
With amazing views across Windermere to the Coniston Fells beyond, our Lodge can be hired alongside either the Bungalow or House giving you an extra 14 bunk-bed places in two small dorms of six and a small room for two.
The Pod Village
Our Hive Pod Village has nine modern, heated wooden PODs. 5 x 5 berth, 1 x 2 berth and 1 x 3 berth. The PODs are located in their own discrete area within the Ghyll Head grounds.
What catering options are available?
We offer fully catered or self catering accommodation. Our food is home cooked and healthy! We regularly cater for different dietary requirements including vegan, vegetarian, Halal, gluten free etc. If you let us know in advance of any food allergies we can prepare alternatives for you. If you would like to see an example menu, please just ask.