​Residential Trips
"This was the sort of activity residential experience that, in the ideal world, I would wish every Primary aged child to have. Time to  look at and to think about the positive aspects of the world around us"​
Hampshire County Council      ​Monitoring Report 2018  

Years 5 and 6​
​Eco Explorers Experience          

Eco Explorers is our residential for up to 5 days which gives pupils the opportunity to explore many aspects of sustainability with holistic approach to their experience.

The program has direct links to the curriculum covering topics on sustainable food and farming, Fair Trade, wildlife, sustainability in building design, woodlands & forest skills, energy & resources, and team building.

Days are full of hands on activities that ​provide excellent opportunities for team bonding and fun. It is suitable for Year 5 and 6 pupils and can be adapted for years 7 and 8.

South Bank School ​Year 6   

Years 5 and 6
​The South Downs Experience

A residential visit which includes trips to our partner venues, Butster Ancient Farm and Queen Elizabeth Country Park.

This residential will give your pupils a broad insight into the history, geography and habitats of the South Downs National Park, which feeds in to multiple areas of the National Curriculum.

Years 3 and 4
​Green Guardians Experience

​We can create an itinerary for a shorter residential. Perfect for a first time away from home and local visit. Pick your topics from the Day Trip options.

St Marys School​ Year 3

GSCE and A Level Trips

We can also arrange residential trips ideal for GSCE and A level students. We are currently working on a very exciting A level package with our local partners perfect for Geography students. Keep an eye on this page for more details.

​​Staying With Us

South Downs Eco Lodge
"Each day proved to be very different. The structure of the week certainly catered for the wide range of interests that primary age children have. I can't praise Janet and her team highly enough for their care and attention to detail. We had a thoroughly enjoyable and worthwhile week and have already booked again."
Head Teacher Rowledge School
The South Downs Eco Lodge can accommodate 34 pupils and 3 adults and gives you the opportunity to stay over and get the best from The Sustainability Centre.

We provide full catering including buffet breakfasts, packed lunches and evening meals. All meals are home made by our on site chef of the Beech Cafe with local organic ingredients- a favourite with teachers and children alike.

The Lodge was once home to Royal Navy recruits. It has since been completely renovated and equipped with green energy technology that meets all the heating needs of the building.

Pupils can monitor the output of the photovoltaic solar energy panels on the roof, and find out how much wood chip is needed to provide all the heat and hot water for their stay.

Pupils also recycle their lunch box waste, help to feed the chickens, use the low-flush option on toilets, and discover how hot the water gets when heated by the solar panels.

​Catering

The lunches and dinners are all freshly prepared every day by our onsite Beech Cafe using local and healthy ingredients.

We are very careful to cater for food allergies and intolerences. Menus are sent prior to your trip for options and choices to be made.

The food is a favorite on our residentials. Many schools have asked if they can take the chefs back to school with them. Sorry, they are staying here.
"Thank you for the delicious dinner.  It was one of the best dinners I have ever
had!"

Joe Lipman Age 8
Dunhurst School

​Evening Activities

Story Telling
During your evening session our story teller, Charlotte, will look at three different types of true,  how or traditional tales from around the world suitable for KS1 and KS2.

Campfire Circle
The centre will provide a fire and log circle for teachers to lead their own farewell campfire experience. 
 
Self Led Resources
The centre has the following seasonal resources to loan for evening activities. We have Woodland Trail sheets, Nature Detective, Identification Sheets, Torches Games with tourches, Night Sky and Stargazing sheets.

Our Shop

​We have a small shop selling postcards, and gift items. all made by local producers or from recycled materials and teachers bring pupils into the shop in small groups towards the end of their stay.

We advise that pupils bring change to purchase small items up to a maximum of £10 each. Kindly let the education team know in advance if you plan to visit the shop.

Booking & Costs

The costs of the residentials will vary according to the activities chosen and the length of your visit. To get a costing and to book please contact the education team.

​Travel Grant Scheme

If travel costs are an issue then make the most of the South Downs National Park travel grant scheme. 

​Awards

We offer the John Muir Award in the South Downs National Park. Pupils can work towards both the Practical Environment Skills and the John Muir Award during their placement.
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Quality

The quality badge for Learning Outside the Classroom is a national award that we have earned for our education provision. It recognises the essential elements of safety and learning for all types of outdoor provision.
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