‘Back to basics and back to nature’: Schoolchildren escape to countryside for week without technology

Primary school children played ‘nature detective’ and learnt how to make their own fire during a week-long school trip to the countryside with no technology.

Pupils from Broadmead Primary School in Sydenham Road, Croydon, recently enjoyed an ‘in nature’ residential at Bore Place, a rural retreat in Kent.

Twenty two pupils from Years 3 to 6 attended the trip which included a tour of the farm and the 247-strong dairy herd, where the children learnt about the matriarchy in the herd and the milking process.

The children were also able to try the milk which was available in a refrigerated vending machine on site. 

Another highlight included laying wildlife tunnels to expose the footprints of small creatures. The children played detective to work out who had visited their tunnel.

In the evenings, the children had their very first experience with campfire making and cooking using their own fires. 

The trip was arranged through a collaboration between Ernest Cook Trust and Bore Place.

Broadmead Primary School benefits from The Pioneer Academy Trust’s ‘Pioneer Passport’ – a cultural capital programme which enables all pupils to take part in cultural capital trips at no cost to parents and carers.

Sarah Hunter, headteacher at Broadmead Primary School, said: “Back to basics and back to nature was truly the order of the day and truly a wonderful experience for all.

“A parent said they were blown away by the enthusiasm of their child when they returned having questioned whether they could survive a week without electronics. They found that they most definitely can!”

Pictured top: Broadmead Primary School children during their stay at Bore Place (Picture: Broadmead Primary School)