Residential Courses
School Residentials
When bringing a group to the Centre, Braeside’s teachers and instructors will be able to help you plan the best programme that will be tailor-made to your pupils. Effective education outside of the classroom should meet the intended learning outcomes specified by the visiting group. Braeside teaching staff will work with you to meet these outcomes. Your intended learning outcomes may coincide with your current topic of work, you may also want to include some literacy or numeracy, or you may want your group to engage in some team building activities, especially if they are a new class.
We can organise the days for you, as agreed prior to your visit. The evenings are usually your responsibility but you may use Braeside’s resources if required, (i.e. orienteering, treasure hunt). Braeside staff may lead some evening activities by prior arrangement. Many of the activities can be run independently or link up with others to form a whole day of activities based around a particular venue, theme or subject. Other activities take a whole day to complete.
Click here to see details of activities with an idea of running times. These will help you to decide on a possible programme for your visit. If you would like to do something that isn’t on the list please don’t hesitate to ask – Braeside specialises in tailor made activities.
Other activities can be organised directly with Braeside staff, e.g. minibeast hunting, tree and river studies. Any of the one-day programmes can also be followed as part of a residential programme.
As part of your residential visit, you may wish to incorporate a visit to a local heritage site of landmark prior to arriving at Braeside on your first day. Some suggested local locations are Stonehenge, Avebury stone circle, Lacock and the Fox Talbot Museum, Westonbirt Arboretum, Stourhead and the various Pewsey Vale chalk downland (white horse) landscape recreation sites. If you would like more details we can advise.
The activity list is being constantly updated and added to, therefore please check the Braeside activities page or contact our Education staff. We strive to keep our education activities, themes and experiences up-to-date, exciting, challenging and experiential.
All Braeside permanent staff and those staff delivering AGAT and enrichment courses are subject to an enhanced DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) criminal records check.
We welcome feedback, from both visiting staff and students, about the service that we offer. We always respond to feedback and seek to continually improve the service that we provide. An opportunity for you to provide written feedback will be given towards the end of your visit.
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I'd like to take this opportunity to say a huge thank you for the past 3 years of Heathside coming to Braeside and having such a memorable experience each time. I am reminded about how fantastic Braeside is every year we have returned, and how well run the whole organisation is. From the adventure activities led by the experienced team, to the chefs in the kitchen preparing great meals and everyone else that oversees the facilities, it's such a great outdoors educational centre for young people. I know that our Year 4 residential will remain a staple of the programme for years to come.
Heathside Primary School - May 2024
I just wanted to highlight how awesome and appreciated your patience and management of our children with more complex needs was - especially on top of other behaviour. Every single child came away feeling successful and happy. They were all able to create lasting memories and have experiences they probably would have never had without you. You were all able to cater to their needs and develop a relationship with each child that was unique, fun filled and constructive. Those positive interactions are priceless, so thank you. Our staff were also all so positive about their experience, which again is testament to you all. All instructors were always extremely mindful of the various needs of the children and were explicit and clear in their delivery of all activities. They ensured the children were and felt safe, as well as taking time to develop relationships that were fun-filled and positive. All children were treated as individuals and made to feel like they could accomplish the activities and challenges thrown at them. A consistently amazing team. What is available at Braeside suits our children perfectly. The ability to remain onsite has worked well for recent cohorts to ensure high levels of safety for our children with more complex needs.
Paxcroft Primary School - November 2023
I just wanted to say a massive thank you to everyone at Braeside for our fantastic time with you last week. I have had so many positive comments from the children, parents and staff who attended and wanted to pass this on to you. We were very impressed with the activities, the facilities and the food (which was absolutely delicious!). Every member of staff went out of their way to make the activities fun, safe and thoroughly enjoyable. You created such a wonderful atmosphere and allowed the children to step out of their comfort zone in such a positive way. We are already looking forward to next year's residential as we know it will benefit the children so much in their independence and teamwork skills. Thank you so much for everything! Best wishes
Lethbridge Primary School - October 2023
Staff were calm and patient with the children. They were knowledgeable and accommodating.
Gloucestershire Primary School - May 2024
Our pupils loved the staff - they made the trip for our children, it was so much fun, thank you. They have gained so much. The pupils loved their three days and all activities were so fab - the walk was amazing and Cam made the Civil War battle just brilliant. The variety of activities was excellent, well researched, planned and executed. Thank you all!
Wiltshire Primary School - May 2024
The staff were friendly, organised, encouraging, knowledgeable and warm (SUPERB!)
Swindon Primary School - May 2024
Staff have been fantastic throughout our stay. They 'got' the children's personalities really quickly and were really encouraging.
Wiltshire Primary School - April 2024
On behalf of all of the children and staff at All Cannings, I would like to say the biggest thank you to everyone at Braeside for a brilliant residential experience. Every single child loved their time with you and we saw so many of them face fears and grow in confidence and resilience. The choice of activities was spot on and the instructors had the balance between friend and teacher just right. The grounds, accommodation and food were faultless - we'd been given bags of food for fussy eaters, but they were returned to parents untouched. I hope that you had a successful Open Day on Saturday, I know that our pupils were keen to show their parents what they'd been up to! Once again many thanks to the whole team for all your hard work. Best wishes, The staff and pupils at All Cannings School
All Cannings Primary School - June 2024
I just wanted to say a MASSIVE thank you to everyone at Braeside for making our trip this year so successful! I was unsure how this cohort would manage as quite a few of them struggle in the classroom but having 3 days outside was incredible for them – each and every single one of the children thrived! The feedback that we have had from parents today had been fantastic as well. Please pass my thanks onto Stan, Cam, Sam, Josh and Joe for showing the children a great time! The activities went down incredibly well – we all loved the new archery! Also thanks to Lisa and her team and Josh and his team for keeping us well fed and helping with washing clothes etc!
St. Matthews Primary School - September 2024
