Each year at King James we offer a free two-week long summer school for Year 7 students who will be joining us in September. We organise a fun-packed programme of activities in school, followed by a free three-day adventure holiday at Winmarleigh Hall in Lancashire to round off the fortnight. The programme is specifically designed to help our new students make friends and build confidence; this makes the transition from primary to secondary school much easier.

This year, around 75 of our new Year 7's took part in a variety of activities in school. Students made rockets in Science, enjoyed a Cluedo-style Literacy challenge and enjoyed a History lesson with a difference, where they learned about World War I using Green Screen Technology. Participants also created a French café and learned how to order food, and discovered creative and performance talents in sessions of Art, Drama and Dance.

Team building activities are an important part of our summer school programme as they help to forge friendships, encourage students to support each other, and prove what can be achieved through working together. For this reason, we arranged a fun Duke of Edinburgh (DofE) taster session, in which students worked in teams to put up tents and develop orienteering skills in a mini expedition; and team sports, including football and a fun "It's a Knockout' competition.

For many of our participants, the trip to Winmarleigh Hall was the first time they had been away from home however, they all embraced a number of exciting challenges. Not only did they experience the thrills of the Zip Wire, which involved climbing 35 feet and jumping from a platform for an exhilliarating high-speed descent, but they also faced the "Leap of Faith', which saw them brave a vertical climb before jumping into a net below! The Forest Sensory Trail, Giant Swing and Raft-Building were among the other activities on offer.

We hope our Year 7's enjoyed the experience and have learned that with a little courage and a positive attitude, they can achieve anything. We look forward to helping them reach their full potential in the coming years.

Winmarleigh Hall Adventure Holiday 2013

In August, over fifty of our new Year 7 students opted into a free three day adventure holiday to Winmarleigh Hall in Lancashire. We offer this free residential trip every year to help new students make friends and build confidence before joining us in September. Students took part in a range of exciting activities including Zip Wire, Forest Sensory Trail, Giant Bungee Swing, Raft Building and an Assault Course Challenge.