For many children, the Year 5 Isle of Wight residential marks the point at which they truly realise how much they have grown since joining the residential programme in Year 3.

Following the Camp Out in Year 3 and PGL in Year 4, our Year 5 pupils take the next exciting step in their residential journey with a four-day, three-night adventure at PGL Little Canada on the Isle of Wight.

Set on the shores of Wootton Creek, Little Canada provides the perfect environment for children to challenge themselves, develop resilience and experience the excitement of travelling further from home with their friends.

Building on Previous Experiences

One of the strengths of Fielding's residential programme is that each visit is carefully designed to build on the previous year's experience.

By the time children arrive in Year 5, they are already familiar with staying away from home, sharing accommodation with friends and participating in organised residential activities. The Isle of Wight visit introduces new challenges, including:

• Travelling by ferry.
• Spending three nights away from home.
• Tackling more adventurous activities.
• Developing greater independence and self-management.
• Learning to work with a wider range of peers.
• Preparing for international travel in Year 6.

This progression means children arrive feeling confident and ready to embrace new opportunities.

What Will Children Be Doing?

The Isle of Wight visit is packed with exciting outdoor and adventurous activities designed to challenge and inspire children.

Children will have the opportunity to take part in a range of exciting adventurous activities. Further information can be found at the Centre’s website, http://www.pgl.co.uk/en-gb/adventure-holidays/centres/little-canada.  

Activities vary from year to year but can include:

• Climbing
• Zip wire
• Trapeze
• Archery
• Adventure courses
• Problem-solving challenges
• Team-building activities
• Water-based activities
• Orienteering

While the activities are exciting, the real value lies in what children learn about themselves. They discover that they can overcome fears, persevere when things are difficult and achieve more than they thought possible.

Supporting Personal Development

The Isle of Wight residential makes a significant contribution to our personal development curriculum and reflects many aspects of the Ofsted Personal Development framework.

Through the experience, children develop:

• Confidence and self-belief.
• Resilience and determination.
• Independence and responsibility.
• Teamwork and leadership skills.
• Communication and cooperation.
• Respect for others.
• Problem-solving and decision-making skills.

Many children return from the trip noticeably more confident and mature. We frequently see children surprise themselves by climbing higher, trying harder and showing greater independence than they ever imagined possible.

Developing a Sense of Belonging

One of the most powerful aspects of the Isle of Wight residential is the sense of belonging it creates.

Living, learning and taking on challenges together helps children strengthen existing friendships while forming new connections across the year group. Shared experiences, whether celebrating success on the climbing wall or supporting one another through a challenge, create memories and bonds that last well beyond the trip itself.

These experiences help children feel connected not only to their peers but also to the wider Fielding community.

Preparing for France in Year 6

The Isle of Wight residential is the final step before our Year 6 visit to France.

The increased responsibility, longer stay and ferry crossing all help prepare children for international travel the following year. By the end of Year 5, pupils have developed the confidence, resilience and independence needed to embrace the exciting opportunities that await them in Burgundy.

Key Information

Venue: PGL Little Canada, Isle of Wight

Dates: Friday 14th May - Monday 17th May 2027

Cost: £305.00

Booking Opens: Friday 4th September 2026 at 9.00am via MCAS

To secure your child's place, please make an initial deposit payment of £65.00 by Friday 25th September 2026.

As with all Fielding residential visits, we expect all children to attend and will work with families to ensure that finances are not a barrier to participation.

Pupil Premium Passport

If your child has a Pupil Premium Passport, the full cost of the trip will be covered by the school.

Please contact our Finance Manager, Jane Peterson, at finance@fielding.ealing.sch.uk to indicate that you would like your child to attend. You do not need to book via MCAS as this would generate a charge. Jane will add your child to the trip register directly.

Financial Assistance

Under the terms of the Education Act 1996, the cost of this visit must be met through voluntary contributions. The visit can only take place if sufficient contributions are received.

The Governing Body has adopted a charging policy which allows assistance for families in receipt of certain benefits and allowances, including (but not limited to):

• Universal Credit
• Income Support
• Income-Based Jobseeker's Allowance

If you anticipate any difficulty meeting the cost of the trip, please contact me confidentially. We can discuss alternative payment arrangements and, where appropriate, reduced contributions. We are committed to ensuring that every child is able to participate, and we never want cost to be a barrier to taking part.

Before making a payment, please read our Residential Trips Terms and Conditions. Please note that we are unable to accept childcare vouchers or tax-free childcare vouchers towards the cost of this visit.

Find out more:

To get a flavour of the experience, below are the details from last year's trip (summer 2026) - as we get nearer to departure this page will be updated:

• Link to parent meeting that took place on 23rd April

Travel

Provisional plans, we will be travelling by 3 coaches and transferring by Red Funnel ferry Southampton to East Cowes,  Isle of Wight.  Each coach will be labelled with a colour.

Departure from school 

In the morning:

• Children will need to arrive at school at the normal time
• Children should drop their luggage, by their coach label, in the area in front of the main entrance of the school (between the two halls) and then make their way to classrooms.
• Children should keep their day bag and packed lunch with them.
  • Children will need two small meals, one to eat at break time and one to eat on the ferry (afternoon crossing)
• Parents are asked to say goodbye to their children at this time.

Where are we staying?

We are staying at the PGL centre 'Little Canada'

PGL Little Canada, New Road, Wootton, Ryde, Isle of Wight, PO33 4JP 

Arrival at school

We will depart the centre at 3.30pm pm lunchtime for a 4.20pm  crossing from Fishbourne to Portsmouth via Wightlink ferry.. All coaches will depart Fishbourne and arrive at Portsmouth. We aim to be back at school around 7pm, this will depend on traffic. Regular updates will be tweeted. Children should be collected from the Coombe Road entrance, please bear with us while we disembark and reunite each child with their luggage!

Children must say goodbye to their activity leader.

Find out more about Little Canada

Take a look at the PowerPoint below. Exact activities and rooming information will be confirmed nearer the time.

PGL Parent Guide, click here for more information for parents  from PGL, including sample menus. 

Packing list

The packing list will give you an idea of what your child should pack. There is also a list of what children should wear for each activity. Please note that children should not bring aerosols, mobile phones, anything electronic or  valuable. Children do not need to bring bedding.

Children might like to pack a special item from home for example a much loved bedtime cuddly toy or a family photograph.

Weather watch:

If the forecast is for wet weather please pack additional clothes as the children may need to change more often. Don't forget a waterproof coat.

If the forecast is for sunny weather, fingers crossed, don't forget sunhats, sunglasses and sunscreen  (children need to be able to apply their own and must not share - please label clearly).

Day Bag

A small ruck-sack or draw string bag that will be used on the journey and for all activities. This should include

• hand sanitizer
• tissues 
• packed lunch(es), disposable containers, no nuts;
• snack for the journey
• water bottle;
• pocket money (£10 max);
• tissues;
• a camera (disposable is fine);
• a book;
• some things to keep them busy on the coach, no electronics;
• sunscreen, sunhat and sunglasses;
• waterproof coat (if needed)

Luggage Labels

Each child should have only one small suitcase or holdall plus their 'day' bag/rucksack. The luggage labels are optional, if you choose not to use these labels please make sure your child's luggage is easily to identify. Children should be able to lift and carry their own luggage. 

Spending Money

It is suggested that the pupils bring up to £10 for snacks and treats and a souvenir. Children will be in charge of their own money, it is recommended that they bring it in a clearly labelled purse or wallet and that this is kept in their day bag.

Medication

If your child requires any medication please make sure you have updated your child's medical details on MCAS. Medication should be in its original packaging, clearly labelled and placed in a clear bag. This bag should be handed in to the school office by the day before travel.

If your child has an epipen or inhaler in school, we will take these.

Travel sickness tablets should be handed to the class teacher, again clearly labelled with instructions for when they should be taken.

Asthma medication should be placed in the child's day bag. 

Activities and groups

Please see the PowerPoint presentation & provisional activity list above for details of activities.

Children will be asked to select a partner for the trip, they will be with their partner during activities, on the coach and in the same bedroom.

Activity groups will be made up of 12 children. Each group will have at least one member of PGL staff plus one member of Fielding staff.

Contact

If children are very homesick or unwell we will phone home.
If an emergency occurs that you think your child should know about, please call the school during school hours. Outside of school hours please email Mrs Haines at IOW@Fielding.ealing.sch.uk Parents are asked not to contact the centre.