With restrictions easing, Highfields have been able to restart the Lower School Outdoor Education Programme based at both Llandrinio and Lake Vyrnwy. Year 8 students have been working with Bethania Adventure to perfect their raft building skills at Lake Vyrnwy. To succeed, students learnt the fundamental design required to enable their raft to have enough buoyancy to hold up the eight students in their team.

Mr Moody, Head of Outdoor Education said, ‘Students must pay attention because the better their design and the tighter their knots, the drier they will be!’

Once their rafts were built, their team had to sail them out to the island where they spent some time learning about the amazing history of the dam. In particular, students were fascinated to learn about the lake’s importance in terms of providing flood protection for the people of Llandrinio.

Year 7 students have also been out having fun out at Llandrinio for their own adventure day! Students have taken part in either a trepidatious expedition through Breiden Forest, or have completed a challenging orienteering course through Llanymynech Heritage Site. As part of both activities, Mr Moody has encouraged the students to appreciate the significance of the landscape they have explored. Mr Moody said, ‘The year seven activity day is designed to encourage students to engage with others within the year group, to build stronger friendship groups.’

An impressive 140 Year 8 students took part in activities at Lake Vyrnwy, and the Year 7 activity day will be continuing into next half term with 190 students eager to take part. All students so far have been very positive about their experiences. Mr Moody said, ‘For many, this has been their first school trip for two years because of the pandemic.’