Parents’ Information

A child's trip to Stubbington can be as daunting for the parents as the child, sometimes more. Below we hope to have answered many of the questions you may have. Please don't hesitate to speak to your child's school if you have further questions and any further concerns can be passed on to us.

What will my child get out of their experience at Stubbington?

During their stay at Stubbington, children will take part in a variety of activities based around outdoor education. They will learn about the environment around them, as well as the animals and plants in the grounds. On top of this there are many learning opportunities for personal skills. There are many activities that encourage and develop teamwork. Children will also develop their independence skills as they learn how to be responsible and organise themselves.

Who will look after my child at Stubbington?

The centre has a number of staff that will lead many of the activities and will be around to supervise the domestic side of things, such as meal times and showers. The children will also be accompanied by staff from their own school. Overnight, some visiting members of staff will sleep in staff accommodation and will be there for children overnight.

What food will my child be given?

The menu for children will change from week to week. Children will be offered a range of foods to choose from. Have a look at our example menu to see what your children could expect to eat.

My child has specific dietary needs, what can be done for them?

Children with specific dietary needs can be catered for. Before the children’s visit, parents will be asked to fill out a medical form. This form also has a section to fill out for dietary needs. Any dietary needs will be looked into and catered for by our kitchen staff. If you have any concerns about your child's dietary needs, please feel free to contact the centre and discuss them with our catering officer.

If my child is sick in the night, who will look after them?

First and foremost, the dorm teacher will look after children if they become ill overnight. This may be one of your child’s teachers, or a member of staff from another school. Centre staff will also be on call if teachers need extra assistance.

How secure is Stubbington overnight?

Each of the dorms are locked from the outside during the night, doors will still open from the inside in the case of a fire. Access to the dorms will then be by coded doors, which teachers will have access to.

What will my child’s sleeping accommodation look like?

Stubbington has four dormitories, two for boys and two for girls. Each dorm sleeps up to 26 children on a mixture of single and bunk beds. Each dormitory also has access to toilet and shower facilities.

If my child is taken ill or injured during their stay, who will look after them?

During the day and into the evening, we have two onsite Welfare Assistants. Children who are taken ill or injured during the day will be taken to the first aid room. The Welfare Assistant is able to administer minor first aid for small injuries and medicines, such as Calpol, are available should teachers need to prescribe these for children. The medical form required by the centre has a section to detail what can be given and, whether or not your child can receive it. If the Welfare Assistants feels that a child needs further medical attention, possibly a doctor, or is too ill to stay at the centre she will contact the child’s parents. If a trip to the hospital is required, parents will need to collect their child and take them to be checked out further.

My child has a specific disability that may make accessibility difficult for them. Will Stubbington be able to accommodate this?

At Stubbington we aim to ensure that all children are included in activities. If visiting children have a disability that may limit their access to an activity we will do our best to adapt. We try to work closely with schools and parents to understand individual children’s needs and how we can help to make their experience whole. We can also offer alternative accommodation to children unable to access our dormitories.

How much pocket money should I give my child?

At the centre we suggest giving children up to £15 pocket money for a weeks visit. Our tuck shop sells sweets and drinks, as well as a wide range of souvenirs. We also sell larger souvenirs such as sweatshirts and puppets. If you would like to purchase one of these, please print off and fill in a souvenir order form. The order form, along with payment, should be brought in with your child's school and we will arrange handing out of these souvenirs during the week.