Are you searching for an exciting, educational and fun school residential experience? Then please get in touch with us and explore the possibilities of a Dartmoor adventure at Heatree Activity Centre.
At Heatree we believe that taking part in an adventure residential is an important and highly beneficial life experience for all children. We know that time spent outdoors plays a significant part in supporting and improving children’s mental health, alongside physical and emotional development.
Surrounded by the beauty and wilderness of Dartmoor National Park, our activity sessions provide opportunities for children to go beyond their perceived limitations, improve their self-confidence and resilience, and build trust and positive relationships with teachers and peers.
We have been awarded the Learning Outside the Classroom (LOtC) Quality Badge, which recognises the quality of our educational provision and safety standards, whilst also ensuring that our curriculum-based activities align with your school’s learning objectives.
We offer free places for teachers and 1:1 support staff for children with SEND.
Children with SEND (and either an EHCP or IHCP) can apply for the Quantick bursary fund to receive 30% off their stay. For more details and to apply click HERE
Our team specialises in creating outdoor activity programmes that are suitable all year round; creating a varied programme of activities tailored to your group’s specific needs and requirements. A typical four-night residential would include eight instructor-led activity sessions, (usually 2.5 hour sessions). The group ratio for most activities is 1:12 and must include an adult group leader or teacher.
Click HERE to see what activities we offer.
Useful things to know
We have wonderful resources available for self-led evening activities, such as the ever-popular campfire and beautiful night walks; please speak to the bookings team about this.
Our indoor sports barn has a bouldering wall and various sports equipment such as unihoc and five-a-side football. This is free to use but must be booked in advance to avoid double bookings.
Each morning your group will meet for a daily briefing from an outdoor instructor which includes an interactive Thought for the Day. The themes covered in this are in line with the Christian topics outlined in the Devon RE Syllabus and the Standing Advisory Council on Religious Education (SACRE) for Devon. This also follows the Department for Education guidelines for school assemblies, known as ‘Daily Collective Worship.’ To read more please visit: Collective Worship in Schools pdf
Right of Withdrawal
Heatree always supports a parent’s choice to remove their child from the Thought for the Day at any point where a child would normally be withdrawn from school assemblies.
We offer private accommodation for your group, including dedicated dining rooms, meeting spaces and en-suite bedrooms. School staff are provided with tea and coffee making facilities in their bedrooms (for full week bookings only) and all bedding is included for school staff during their stay.
Follow this link to read more about our accommodation facilities.
Our beautiful grounds offer extensive areas for outdoor play including a football pitch, swings, willow structures and woodland to explore (please note that children must be supervised at all times outside of formal activity sessions).
We also provide:
If you have not been to Heatree before we recommend coming for a preview visit where we can show you around and answer any questions. Please speak to our bookings team to arrange this on 01647 221307 or email bookings@heatree.org
Our kitchen team work with a premium local Devon supplier to provide fresh and wholesome meals, all of which are cooked on-site. We strive to source the highest quality local produce, prioritising suppliers as close to Heatree as possible.
We do our best to accommodate special dietary requirements or provide alternatives where possible. If you have food allergies or dietary needs that you wish to discuss, please speak to our Food Services Manager, Stew on 01647 221927.
Tea, coffee, hot chocolate and squash are always readily available in the dining rooms. There are fridges available for storing your own items, or for any medication requiring cool storage. Lockable refrigerated storage is also available on request.
For nutritional information on the food we serve, click on the links below:
Safety is paramount to supporting a fantastic school residential. Heatree is licensed by AALA (the Adventure Activities Licensing Authority) and has a highly experienced and qualified instructor team. We have been delivering high quality outdoor education programmes for over 30 years. Risk Assessments are carried out at the Centre and are inspected by AALA, ensuring the Centre is carrying out routine assessments and is compliant with Health and Safety regulations.
What do schools need?
A Provider Statement (or questionnaire) requesting information required by group leaders, EVCs and head teachers etc, is required by schools as part of their risk assessment before coming to Heatree.
For schools in the Devon County Council and Torbay Council areas:
Heatree has a Provider Statement (SOE5) which can be accessed via the EVOLVE system – EVOLVE Login (Devon County Council & Torbay Council)
For schools outside of these areas:
Schools can obtain a Provider Statement from their local council and submit it to us for completion. Please find your local council and then email your Provider Statement to bookings@heatree.org
For a copy of our Safeguarding Policy please email bookings@heatree.org or phone 01647 221307.