Comments that make it all worthwhile

"My son,Oscar, attends Kings Heath Primary School and has just returned from 5 days at Red Ridge. As a family we have spent the last 24 hours anticipating his return..waiting to hear the tales of his week away...ready to enjoy his company. The table is layed...I have prepared his favourite 'Balti' meal in true Brum style...we can hardly bear the wait...Sadly, it's all a bit of a let down. He is so exhausted he can hardly speak. I have NEVER seen him so worn out in 11 years of having him. I dutifully run him a hot bath while we eat our beautifully prepared meal at the table without him. As we finish eating he finally comes down slightly refreshed, in clean sparking pyjamas....and stays awake just long enough to tell us about all the freedom, fun, excitement and adventure he has had over the past few days! "Mum ..it was amazing, we had so much freedom. We were treated like grown ups. We had a kettle and made our own sandwiches and were allowed to do orienteering on our own...I have never had such a fantastic time...the people there were great...I wish we could have stayed for 8 weeks" And then he collapses into bed for, I guess, a good 12 hours! So, alas, I am writing to say THANK YOU and WELL DONE to you guys. What a fantastic job you are doing! Keep up the good work and I hope my son recovers in time for school on Monday!"  Siobhan Cutts, Mother, King's Heath Primary School, 2006

"Pete, Just a note to say a huge thank you for providing us with such an amazing experience again last week. Every year our stay is better than the previous one. Your amazing staff make the whole experience so enjoyable, not only for the children, but for us as well. I actually returned feeling as though I had been on an enjoyable activity break this time - certainly not away with a class of Year 6 children. I can honestly say that the Red Ridge Experience really and truly changes lives. It enables children to be so much better young people for having worked with you and your staff. It allows children to challenge themselves and to try things that they would never, ever think they could do. It offers the less academic children huge successes and builds their self confidence amonst peers who they often struggle to keep up with in the classroom situation. Enough ...... Thanks again - for an absolutely brilliant week. "  Christine Norman, Head teacher, Winnington Park Primary School, 2009

"I just wanted to email and say what a wonderful week we had at the centre at the end of April. Every child loved the week, and despite being pleased to see their parents when they got back they were all more excited to tell them all about how much they had enjoyed their experiences.
We had the chance to see the children in a different light than we get to see them in school. A couple of children were more organised than they have ever been, others were braver and pushed themselves further than before, and there were some that achieved more than anyone, including their parents, would ever believe.
All the instructors were great with our children and managed their quirks really well, and enabled them to experience things that they won't ever get a chance to do again.
Again, the food was fantastic, and regardless of our many dietry needs the children ate really well. Thank you for everything that you did for us - Red Ridge really is a wonderful centre. I have thoroughly enjoyed visiting and taking part in all of the activities myself over the last three years"   Joanna Lee,Brookside Primary School,Oadby, Leicestershire 2010

"I learnt more about disciplining the kids during three days at Red Ridge than I have all year at school. Cheers"  Birmingham NQT 2005

"Thank you for making our holiday a resounding success. Your staff had the patience of saints! The activities were "just right" for our pupils."  Condover Hall School.

"We would all like to convey our thanks for an excellent week at the centre. As you know, I have been before and know what a great job you do but it is always a bit nerve racking to sell it to a new school and staff, particularly those who were on the reluctant side to move to a whole week of activities. I am delighted to say that you sell yourself so easily by putting on great activities that are very well taught and led. Every member of my staff was extremely complimentary of the centre and your staff. Indeed some are still on a high after nearly a week!

They feel that their children have had an excellent week, which will help them enormously in their school based class work."

"Particular strengths have been identified as follows:

• Very good to excellent instruction.
• Real challenge for children in terms of time, organisation and tasks.
• Highly efficient organisation of equipment and involvement of children in setting up.
• Good quality evening activities.
• Close contact between centre and school staff.
• Plenty of freedom for children to explore their own limits and to solve real, everyday problems but with backup when needed.
• Good food,especially the breakfasts which give plenty of choice.
• Very effective support for children (e.g.providing help for bed wetting).
• Positive integration with other visitors to the centre.

I would like to make special mention of Rob, who gave us all an excellent kayak session on Wednesday. I personally felt that he taught me more about kayaking in three hours than I have learned over several years!  Teachers also learn a tremendous amount from watching how you all work with children.  I have also received a very positive report from the LEA Off-Site Visit Officer, Kevin Brooks, who came to you on the Thursday. I assume that you will receive a copy of this.

There was only one minor point where you might consider ways to improve. We all found the initial carrying of cases to the bedrooms up the steep flight of stairs very trying. I will suggest to parents that two small bags are better than one large suitcase, so that smaller children can manage their luggage more easily. Perhaps there is some advice you could send out?
We will be discussing future trips and how we can continue to improve our provision. I shall definitely be in touch to book a return visit or visits for the school.

Thanks for a great week. As always, I thoroughly enjoyed myself and was sorry to have to miss the last two days." With best wishes,  Graham Luker, Headteacher, St Margaret's Church of England Primary School

"I am writing to say thank you for the excellent time we had at your centre from the 8th-12th July. All the children had an outstanding time and did not want to leave. The staff that attended for the week also thoroughly enjoyed it, even if they did need a week to recover! The main reason for the success of the residential was not only due to the fabulous activities, but the experience, attitude and personality of your instructors. The instructors spoke to the children in a very appropriate manner, were firm / fair and had a good sense of humour.
I have been to many centres with schools over a six year period as outdoor activities co-ordinator. I am also involved in the Scout Association, yet I have never been so impressed with a centre and its staff as I was with Red Ridge. You provide first class activities in a safe environment with excellent instructors. Please pass on my thanks to each and every one of them. May I also say thank you to the people behind the scenes, especially the kitchen staff who provided us with food that was popular with the children and staff ( and large portions too).

I do hope we are pencilled in for the same booking next year. I look forward to seeing you again next year. Thanks very much again for a great time! Yours sincerely,"  Mark C.  Chilcote Primary School, Hall Green, Birmingham

"I would like to thank you and your team, on behalf of the staff and children, for providing a fantastic week of activities for the children. Listening to the comments from them I know that each and every one of them thoroughly enjoyed themselves and were sorry to leave. A particular thanks to the instructors - Rob, Neil, Joe, Ross, Mike and Nic - for all their hard work in explaining, helping, guiding and persuading the children to accomplish tasks that they thought were beyond them."

"I would also like to thank the catering staff for their superb food, and also thank Judith for manning the Tuck shop.The weather was a big bonus - can I order some for next year! I have never given out so much sun cream. Thank you again, Best Wishes," Peter Colburn and the Team. Bentley Heath Primary School.

"Just to say a big thank you from myself and all the children to you and your staff for the wonderful week we spent at Red Ridge. I was most impressed with the range on offer and the high level of leadership and instruction. I even want to come again - though I'm definitely looking for an excuse not to go caving next time!

I've enclosed thank-you letters from the children.

I look forward to my next non-stop visit with you! Yours sincerely,"  M.K., Headteacher. A Leicestershire Primary School

"I am writing to thank you once again for the brilliant week we had at Red Ridge recently. The children absolutely loved it, the staff did too!I know that we learnt an awful lot about ourselves and did things we'd never done before. An unforgettable experience, we're still recovering and have the bruises to prove it!

Please pass on our best wishes and thanks to all the staff - the instructors for their encouragement and humour and the kitchen staff for the brilliant meals. What a team!
Could we please book in for next year for the last week in September?

Thanks again it was worth it to see the children's faces. Hope you enjoy the letters. See you next year." Claire M., Bosworth Wood Primary School.

"Please find enclosed letters from the children of Clinton Primary School. As you can see, all the children had a really great time and that is in no small way down to the first rate instruction and tuition the children received. This is now my second visit to Red Ridge, and I believe that you and your staff offer an extremely high standard of provision whilst maintaining an excellent relationship with the children. Thanks once again."  R.G. Headteacher. Clinton Primary School.

"Superb activities for pupils with learning difficulties - high, satisfying challenge and a very high standard of tuition. I have been for a number of years now, and have always had a most enjoyable and rewarding week."    Tony Smith(Head Teacher, Dorothy Goodman Special School, Hinckley)

"I was expecting a highly organised set up with excellent standards and I was not disappointed. What I was not expecting was the total acceptance of our residents as themselves and the immediate rapport that built up between them and the Centre Staff. This is essential to establish the trust needed to attempt the challenges that faced our group last week. I was also impressed by the total committment of the staff."  Head Occupational Therapist. Carshalton

"I also overcame some of my fears that I would never have conquered without your help."  Tom

"One of the best residentials I have ever experienced."  Melton College

"Once again, many thanks to you and your staff for providing our children with such a wonderful week at Red Ridge. I believe you will be receiving letters from the children as well but I wanted to write myself to say how much the course contributes to our children's development. We did have some concerns about a few individuals this year but they responded to the activities brilliantly. The whole experience has a huge impact on the confidence and`attitude of the children. Best wishes to you and the staff from all of us here. We look forward to coming again next year."  Kathryn Unsworth, Head Teacher, Widney Junior School

"I think your staff were absolutely marvellous - to work so hard, be so skilled and to have such patience. I cannot praise them enough. The relaxed and caring atmosphere that you create was so much appreciated."  Stowe Teaching Unit

"Thank you so much for sending Humpty back. Sorry he was so naughty but he enjoyed himself so much that he wanted to stay so he hid under the pillow."  Gemma