Lanehead offers a high quality residential experience for schoolchildren from The Boroughs. Most courses are aimed at personal and social education using a range of adventurous activities, but courses can be arranged to meet the needs of the user, for example to fulfil the requirements of the National Curriculum or of the Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme or GNVQ’s.

It is usual for the teacher arranging the visit to contact the Head of Centre a few weeks in advance in order to discuss their aims. Telephone 015394 41293, or fax 015394 41687.

An important factor for the success of a residential course is the relationship between the visiting staff and their students. It is expected that teachers who bring groups to the Centre will be involved with their pupils throughout the course, and will take responsibility for their good behaviour, especially at times when they are not involved in organised activities. As part of their preparation some schools ask their pupils to make a written agreement of good behaviour and positive attitudes. School staff are responsible for the students’ welfare when the students are not on supervised activities and should be available on site at all times unless an arrangement has been made with Centre staff to provide cover.

A member of the Centre staff will normally be on overnight duty on the first evening of each course. It is expected that at least one visiting teacher will accompany the Centre staff the first evening in order to become familiar with the routines and to help their pupils to settle in. The Centre staff will take charge of routines and activities, but it is helpful if the visiting staff have a presence and are seen to take an interest.

It is necessary for both male and female teachers to be available when the students are sent to bed, normally at 10.30pm. A member of the Centre staff will be on evening duty on one or two other evenings during the course. If an outdoor activity is chosen, for example a night exercise or use of the climbing wall, then it will be necessary for one or more of the school staff to be involved on this evening.

The school staff are responsible for running the programmed evening activity and the safe and smooth running of the Centre for the remaining one or two nights. The Centre provides some resources for this, but teachers should also come prepared with their own resources.

Students are expected to keep a record of their visit in the form of a journal which is kept each evening as part of the programme. Material for this is provided by the Centre, and it is seen as an important part of the reviewing process. It could form part of a record of achievement, and it is hoped that there will be some follow up at school and that pupils will be given incentive and opportunity to complete the work and to have it seen by other staff and students before they take it home.

The Centre provides a Certificate of Residential Experience for each participant which lists their achievements and responsibilities and this is presented to all students at the end of the course.

There is a choice of menu for both breakfast and evening meals, and a varied packed lunch is provided. Special diets can be catered for if advance notice is given. Please do not allow students to bring food and drink, or quantities of sweets, as this causes problems.

Smoking is not allowed anywhere on the site and this needs to be considered when selecting the students.

There is a payphone at the Centre but if students wish to bring mobile phones with them we ask that they are collected in by visiting staff during the day and overnight, the students having access to them in the evening. This is obviously extra work for the visiting teacher so it is up to you whether you want to allow students to bring them or not. It can also cause problems with the younger students in terms of homesickness and it is often better to not allow any phone calls home.

It is now a health and safety requirement that no electrical appliances are brought to the centre. Hairdryers are supplied for student and staff use.