As part of the school's commitment to meeting the Scottish Government's policies on Outdoor Education, all pupils are engaged in learning experiences which take them;
in to the school grounds - playground and adjoining woodland
around the immediate locality and surrounding area - Chirnside, Eyemouth, Duns etc.
to events and locations within the Scottish Borders and north Northumberland - Galashiels, Alnwick, Ford & Etal
to areas outwith the Scottish Borders - Perthshire
As pupils progress through the school, generally, the outdoor experiences take them futher afield, broadening their knowledge and understanding of their place within Scotland. For many years, our Primary 7 pupils have taken part in a residential experience to Kindrogan Field Centre at Enochdhu, near Pitlochry in Perthshire. The week-long stay is designed to allow pupils to experience time away from parents, build personal and social skills and to begin to help prepare them for the move from primary school to high school, encouraging and promoting independence and inter-dependence skills. The experience of the week-long residential has always been hugely positive and much enjoyed by all, but pupils occasionally struggle with the thought of being away from home.
In 2013, the school took the decision to formalise three outdoor experiences for the Primary 5, Primary 6 & Primary 7 pupils in order to 'build in' a gradual exposure for pupils to experience time away from home, and give them opportunities and experiences to work towards the final Primary 7 residential. Primary 5 pupils will spend ONE day at Ford Castle experiencing activities which promote team-building and which challenge their personal strengths and areas of confidence. Primary 6 pupils will spend TWO days and ONE night at Ford Castle taking part in team-building and activities which challenge their personal strengths and areas of confidence. Primary 7 pupils will spend FOUR nights (Monday to Friday) at Kindrogan Field Centre taking part in activities which encourage and promote independent and inter-dependent working and which challenge their personal strengths and areas of confidence.
The three experiences happen in the summer term (April - June) and parents will be given information regarding costs, dates etc. in the first few months of a new session. If parents/guardians/carers have any questions regarding a visit which is planned for their child(ren), please contact your child(ren)'s class tecaher(s) at school (01890 818274).