An upgraded Year 4 experience for summer 2027

We are delighted to be introducing an exciting new residential experience for our Year 4 pupils: a two-night stay at Hooke Court in Dorset.

This is the first year that Hooke Court will form part of our residential programme and we are incredibly excited about the opportunities it will provide. The visit has been carefully chosen to build on the success of our Year 3 Camp Out and to bridge the gap between sleeping overnight on the school field and the larger residential experiences that await children in Years 5 and 6.

Dates: 21st-23rd June 2027

As we get near to the departure date this page will be updated with all the information you need. Scroll to the bottom for booking and payment details.

Why Hooke Court?

One of the strengths of our residential programme is that every experience has a clear purpose. We do not see residentials as simply a trip away from home. They are an important part of our curriculum and a powerful vehicle for personal development.

After gaining confidence sleeping away from home during the Year 3 Camp Out, Year 4 children are ready for the next step. Hooke Court will be their first experience of travelling away from London with their friends for multiple nights, staying in a rural environment and learning through real-world experiences.

The trip has been carefully designed to help children:

• Become more independent.
• Develop resilience and confidence.
• Strengthen friendships and teamwork.
• Learn responsibility away from home.
• Experience life in a different environment.
• Develop curiosity about the world around them.
• Build the skills needed for future residentials in Year 5 and Year 6.

By the end of the visit, we want every child to feel proud of what they have achieved and excited about the adventures still to come.

What Will Children Be Doing?

The visit will combine outdoor adventure with hands-on learning linked directly to the Year 4 curriculum.

Children will spend two nights camping and take part in a range of activities centred around Dorset's unique landscape and environment.

Coastal Studies at the Jurassic Coast

Children will visit the spectacular Jurassic Coast, England's only natural World Heritage Site. They will investigate coastal features, observe erosion and deposition in action, and learn how coastlines are continually shaped by natural processes.

Rather than simply reading about geography in a classroom, children will experience it first-hand.

River Studies

Through practical fieldwork, children will explore local rivers and investigate:

• The journey of a river.
• River features and landforms.
• How water shapes the landscape.
• Human interaction with rivers.

These experiences will help children develop geographical enquiry skills and understand how geographers collect and analyse information in the field.

Food and Farming

Being surrounded by Dorset's countryside provides an excellent opportunity to learn about where food comes from.

Children will explore farming practices, food production and sustainability. They will gain a greater understanding of the connections between the countryside, food production and the everyday choices we make.

Camping and Outdoor Living

A key part of the trip will be learning to live and work together outdoors.

Children will develop practical skills such as:

• Looking after their belongings.
• Working collaboratively.
• Taking responsibility within their group.
• Helping with shared tasks.
• Problem solving in unfamiliar situations.

Often it is these moments, rather than the planned activities, that create the biggest growth in confidence and independence.

Supporting Personal Development

At Fielding, we know that some of the most important learning happens outside the classroom.

Residential visits play a significant role in our commitment to developing the whole child. Through experiences like Hooke Court, children learn to:

• Persevere when things are challenging.
• Show resilience when away from home.
• Support and encourage others.
• Develop empathy and respect.
• Make new friendships.
• Take pride in their achievements.
• Grow in confidence and self-belief.

Many children leave their first residential surprised by what they are capable of achieving. Whether it is sleeping in a tent, trying a new food, speaking in front of a group or tackling a challenge they were nervous about, these moments help children discover strengths they did not know they had.

Preparing for Future Adventures

The Year 4 Hooke Court residential forms an important part of our four-year residential journey.

• Year 3: Camp Out on the school field.
• Year 4: Hooke Court, Dorset.
• Year 5: Isle of Wight adventure residential.
• Year 6: Burgundy, France.

Each experience builds on the last, gradually increasing the level of independence and challenge. By introducing a two-night residential in Year 4, children will gain valuable experience that prepares them for the longer stays and greater adventures that follow.

We cannot wait to see our Year 4 pupils discover Dorset's stunning landscapes, develop new skills and create memories that will stay with them for years to come. We are confident that Hooke Court will quickly become a much-loved part of the Fielding experience. 

Booking Information

The cost of the Year 4 Hooke Court residential is £230.00 per pupil.

To secure our booking with Hooke Court, we need to confirm numbers and pay our deposit by the end of September. Booking will open on Friday 4th September 2026 at 9.00am via MCAS.

To reserve your child's place, an initial deposit of £30.00 must be paid by Friday 25th September 2026.

Payment Schedule

• Deposit due by Friday 25th September 2026: £30.00
• Instalment 1 due by Friday 30th October 2026: £50.00
• Instalment 2 due by Friday 27th November 2026: £50.00
• Instalment 3 due by Friday 29th January 2027: £50.00
• Instalment 4 due by Friday 26th February 2027: £50.00

Total Cost: £230.00

Before making any payment, please read our Residential Trip Terms and Conditions. Please note that we are unable to accept childcare vouchers or tax-free childcare vouchers towards the cost of residential visits.

Financial Support

We firmly believe that every child should be able to take part in our residential programme.

Pupil Premium Passport holders will have the full cost of the visit covered by the school. Families should contact Jane Peterson, Finance Manager, at finance@fielding.ealing.sch.uk to confirm their child's attendance. There is no need to book through MCAS, as this would generate a charge. Jane will add children to the trip register directly.

For families who may find the cost difficult to manage, support is available. The Governing Board's charging policy allows assistance for families receiving certain benefits, including (but not limited to) Universal Credit, Income Support and Income-Based Jobseeker's Allowance. We may also be able to offer alternative payment plans where needed.

If finances are a concern, please contact Mrs Haines confidentially. We never want cost to be a barrier to a child being able to participate in this important experience.

Further details about travel arrangements, packing lists and the full itinerary will be shared closer to the trip. In the meantime, if you have any questions, please speak to your child's Year 4 teacher or Mrs Haines. We are looking forward to introducing this exciting new chapter in Fielding's residential programme and giving our children an unforgettable Dorset adventure.