After the strains of Common Entrance and Public School Scholarship Examinations, the Headmaster together with members of the Senior Staff take Year 8 on a three to four day Geography Field Trip to the West Country and a complete “wind down”!

We centre our activities around the beautiful South-West coastal path between Weymouth and Poole . The Purbeck Hills provide challenging hikes in idyllic surroundings. There is also much geographical knowledge and local history to be gleaned by analysing various coastal features – Old Harry, Lulworth Cove, Dancing Ledge and Durdle Door are great favourites as are the ancient field systems.

We spend the nights under canvas – if we are feeling tough – or in mobile caravans when the teachers get their way!; the emphasis is on self-reliance and relaxation… not all the children think of an 18 mile hike as their idea of relaxation!

Boys and girls help prepare their own meals and on one day we run a competition based on “Ready, Steady, Cook!” A visiting panel of culinary experts taste the sumptuous dishes and marvel at the unusual three course Sunday Lunch the student “chefs” prepare! All the leftover ingredients must be used and here is one year's winning menu: