Year 5/6 Ford Castle Residential 2026

Our Year 5 and 6 children enjoyed an unforgettable three-day residential at Ford Castle last week, packed with adventure, new experiences, teamwork and plenty of fun!

The children travelled to Ford Castle on Wednesday morning and, after arriving at around lunchtime, quickly settled into their surroundings – including the excitement of discovering that their bedrooms were inside the castle itself!

It wasn’t long before the adventures began. Across the three days, the children took part in a fantastic range of activities, including zip wire, rifle shooting, archery tag, Aeroball, disc golf, obstacle and challenge courses, trapeze and the vertical challenge.

For many of our children, some of these activities involved overcoming nerves, stepping outside their comfort zones and trying something completely new. We were incredibly proud of the determination and resilience they showed, as well as the way they encouraged and supported one another when things became challenging.

After busy days outdoors, there was still plenty happening in the evenings. The children enjoyed team games in the beautiful castle grounds, while Thursday evening ended with a brilliant silent disco! Those looking for something a little quieter could relax in the games room – complete with some very popular giant bean bags!

One of the highlights of the residential was seeing how well the children worked together throughout their stay. Staff at Ford Castle complimented them on numerous occasions for their excellent manners, teamwork and the encouragement they showed towards their friends. They were wonderful ambassadors for Lemington Riverside and an absolute credit to our school and their families.

Residential visits provide children with experiences that extend far beyond the activities themselves. Spending time away from home gives children opportunities to develop their independence, confidence and resilience, while strengthening friendships and creating memories that will stay with them for many years to come.

After one final morning of activities and lunch at Ford Castle on Friday, it was time to head back to Lemington – with plenty of stories to tell and around 300 photographs for Mr Murphy to sort through!

A huge well done to all of our Year 5 and 6 children for embracing every aspect of the experience with such enthusiasm and courage. We are incredibly proud of you all.

Finally, a huge thank you to our staff who gave up their time to accompany the children and make the residential possible. Trips like this require a great deal of organisation and commitment, but seeing the confidence, friendships and memories our children bring home makes it all worthwhile.

What a fantastic three days at Ford Castle!