Dear Families,

This week you may have seen lots of photos on our Instagram account @meadowhighsch of our school residential in Devon. This residential opportunity is open to Pathway 2 (Royal Lane) pupils and our annual Centre Parcs residential is open to Pathway 1 (Northwood Road) pupils.

School journeys and residentials are a vital part of supporting young people to learn skills for life and to gain greater independence. We know that many families are extremely nervous about letting their child attend, and it is often the first time they will have been away from the family overnight. We will always work with you to ensure that your child can not only safely access the residential trip but can have a fun week with their friends. Here are some common concerns and what we do about them below.

Family concerns:  My child has never had a night away from us OR they have only ever stayed with a family member.

How school can help:  We can guide and support you and your child to allow them (and you!) to gain the confidence that is needed to enable them to participate in this development experience.

What does a pupil gain from attending a school residential:  

• Confidence in new locations.
• An understanding that they can stay somewhere unfamiliar safely and happily.
• Developing flexibility and adaptability.
• Strengthening existing relationships.
• Building new relationships.
• Enhancing their social skills.
• Experiencing new activities.
• Using and applying the independent skills they have already learned.
• Making decisions on their own.
• Building resilience.
• Boosted self-esteem.
• Bridging the gap between learning and the real world.

Family concerns:  What would happen if my child is upset? I couldn’t come and get them.

How school can help:  We work with the child to prepare them for the trip, addressing and supporting them with every concern and worry.

Where necessary, we put arrangements in place if we consider there is a risk that a child may become upset and need to return home.

What does a pupil gain from attending a school residential:  Once a pupil has attended a residential, they may still have a preference to stay with parents / carers or familiar family members, but they now know that they can stay with others in unfamiliar places, and it’s OK. They are OK. This significantly reduces their concerns.

Should the pupil be required to stay somewhere unfamiliar in the future, e.g. in hospital, they are now better prepared to do so.

Family concerns:  My child has a complex routine in the evening and at bedtime.

How school can help:  We will meet with you and communicate regarding any routines your child has. Where necessary and possible, we make adjustments to support your child in the way you would at home. Where this is not possible, we prepare the child for the changes and support them with this when away.

What does a pupil gain from attending a school residential:  Many families take this as an opportunity to ‘re-set’ the bedtime routine for the pupil, especially where there may be aspects they have been unhappy with or have been trying to change for some time.

In a new setting, pupils often find it easier to make changes as their behaviour and routines are not so situationally linked to the unfamiliar location. 

Family concerns:  My child has medical needs.

How school can help:  We are familiar with supporting most medical needs in school. Occasionally, a child has a more complicated medical routine at home. In these instances we liaise with you and where necessary the child’s medical team to understand the need and routine. We then put plans in place to enable to child to safely attend the residential. It is very rare that we are not able to do this.

What does a pupil gain from attending a school residential:  The pupil may gain a greater understanding of their medical need and the associated routine.

Pupils may return from the residential asking to take a greater part in their own care.

Should pupils require a hospital admission, they will have greater confidence in unfamiliar people supporting them with their care and medical needs.

Family concern:  My child is a picky eater.   I’m worried they won’t eat enough or anything!

How school can help:  We will talk to you about your child’s allergies, any food they shouldn’t eat for religious reasons and any food preferences or dislikes they have. We are also able to take some specific snacks and foods with us that families have provided where it is absolutely necessary.  We have never had a child return home hungry!

What does a pupil gain from attending a school residential:  Many pupils find the change in location and having the support of their peers around them very motivating to try new foods that they will refuse at home.

Family concern:  I don’t want my daughter attending a trip with boys.

How school can help:  Boys and girls do not share sleeping or bathroom spaces. The nighttime arrangements for pupils are very carefully planned, controlled and monitored and children do not enter each other’s bedroom spaces.

We ensure that pupils are dressed appropriately in communal spaces.

What does a pupil gain from attending a school residential: Pupils learn how to behave appropriately in a situation other than home or school.

Also, lets not forget what parent / carers can gain from the pupils attending a residential:

A full list of 
Designated Safeguarding Leads 
at Meadow High School
can be found on the website here

More information about Safeguarding can be found on our website here:   
Our School / Safeguarding.   

Information is also on the website about what to do if you are worried about a child Out of Hours Safeguarding Contact Information / Reporting a Safeguarding Concern

All Meadow High School job vacancies are advertised on the Crinklerecruitment.com website. 
Applications must be made via the crinklerecruitment.com website.

Meadow High School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff, volunteers and governors to share this commitment. The successful candidate will be subject to an enhanced DBS check, satisfactory references and other pre-employment checks.