The Sixth Form Retreat

Students at Westbourne spend their first days stuck in the mud — quite literally! On the first day of Sixth Form, our bright-eyed, intelligent, ambitious students are taken to west Wales for an experience that they talk about for months … and that stands them in good stead forever!

The first two days of the Westbourne Experience is spent at Sealyham, an outdoor adventure camp on the attractive West Wales coast. Based in the heart of Pembrokeshire, this particular activity centre is chosen because of its unique environment, unspoiled and uncrowded. It is an outdoor pursuit’s paradise!!

An integral part of the Westbourne Sixth Form experience is for students to reflect on who they are as individuals and how they can develop both leadership and teamwork skills. Utilising the spectacular Pembrokeshire coastline along with the beautiful grounds of Sealyham Mansion, students are given the opportunity to work on team building and improving on skills such as canoeing, kayaking, rock climbing and archery. This gives them the opportunity to get to know one another and to secure friendships within the group so that they may build on this with the many other challenges and experiences they may face in the coming two years. They are also given the opportunity to try a range of “different” activities such as coasteering or high rope activity, which allows them opportunity to overcome fears and challenges.

On returning two days later, they have discovered much about themselves, their colleagues and their teachers, and with a greater degree of confidence than they thought possible. With a spring in their step they walk into school with little apprehension and are ready to tackle the wonderful challenge of the IB Diploma Programme. And it only gets more exciting from there!