While some Wensleydale students were off exploring cities and soaking up the culture, many others enjoyed an equally enriching week right here in the Dales. With sustainability as our guiding theme, the school offered a diverse programme of local trips, environmental projects, creative challenges and community service – all designed to open students’ eyes to the world around them and their place in it.
Learning from the land
One of the most powerful aspects of this week was how students connected with their environment. From hiking up Wildgarsdale Pike to measure peat bog depth and biodiversity, to surveying bees and wildlife in Reeth, students engaged directly with the ecosystems that surround them.
At Nosterfield Nature Reserve, they took part in mindfulness activities, spotted rare birds including ospreys and kingfishers, and helped clear willowherb and build planters to support the fen habitat. These hands-on experiences sparked real conversations about conservation, biodiversity and the practical steps we can all take to care for our planet.
Daily nature walks gave students the opportunity to spot species and build up an impressive 40 miles of walking across the week – a wonderful reminder of the natural beauty we have on our doorstep.
Creativity and contribution
Back on the school site, students explored sustainability through creativity and problem-solving. They designed and built bug hotels, nest boxes, and resources focused on carbon reduction. In science, they took on the “Bridge of Doom” and “Tallest Tower” challenges, exploring the limits of plastic straws in fun, competitive teams.
Crafting sessions included decoupage, friendship bracelets, yarn bombing, and Lego therapy. Sports events – including tug of war – gave everyone the chance to burn off energy and enjoy some friendly competition.
A visit to Metcalfe Farms was a standout moment, where students learned how technology and sustainability are shaping modern farming. They were fascinated by the revolving milking parlour and the scale of operations – a different kind of sustainability story, but an important one.
In the community, students headed to Kirkwood Hall to help with gardening and maintenance. They painted benches, moved soil, and tidied up – all while brightening the environment for local residents. Their efforts were much appreciated, and we hope to build on this connection in the future.
CCF Summer Camp
Another major highlight of the week was the CCF summer camp at Otterburn. Our cadets spent the week immersed in training and adventure alongside students from a partner school in Sheffield. Activities included overnight bivouac camping, fieldcraft, map work, target sports, bushcraft, and team-based drills. Students were challenged both physically and mentally, and they rose to the occasion with determination and good humour.
The camp is an important part of the Wensleydale School calendar – not just for the skills it teaches, but for the character it builds. Staff on site were full of praise for our cadets’ teamwork, resilience, and readiness to learn. It’s a programme that continues to offer students a real sense of purpose, confidence, and camaraderie.
Proud of every step
This week reminded us that some of the most impactful learning happens not from textbooks, but from experience. Whether identifying insects, helping a neighbour, or leading a patrol through the woods, our students embraced each opportunity with curiosity, care, and creativity.
We’re proud of every one of them for throwing themselves into the activities on offer – and we’re looking forward to building even more opportunities like this into school life in the year ahead.
