Middle School MindStretcher Day
Our Middle School Days are perfect to invigorate the minds of Years 8 - 10.
deliver a day full of critical, collaborative and creative thinking in school
help build children’s independence, resilience and ability to think for themselves
Can take place at any time of year
We run these days throughout the school year, but are particularly popular for…
the start of the academic year to build new bonds between students
summer activity weeks
off peak quieter winter months
What’s involved?
Challenge for every year group
Different workshops tailored for Years 8 to 10
Bespoke sessions designed to your school’s wishes - for example, Humanities / Mental Health and well-being
Run by our team of specialist educators
A focus on the soft skills
Academically challenging days with an emphasis on independence, resilience, collaboration
A great way to reinvigorate thinking mid-way through the school year
A wealth of takeaway strategies for children and teachers alike
Planned and delivered
Every session run by our own dedicated team
The entire day planned by us - talk about taking the weight off!
No need to get cover - teachers can observe and learn
We have been fortunate to work with the Hidden Leaders team over the last two years as part of our annual enrichment programme for Fourth and Fifth Year pupils. Each year, they have delivered highly interactive and engaging sessions that combine challenge, collaboration, and reflection.
For our Fourth Year pupils, the focus has been on developing critical thinking and oracy skills through thought-provoking activities and debates. One pupil reflected that “the philosophy debating was very enriching, and the instructors were very friendly and encouraging,” while another described how “the activities were engaging and fun; they enhanced our communication skills.” These activities not only stretched their thinking but also built their confidence in speaking and listening.
For our Fifth Year, the outdoor sessions have centred on communication, collaboration, and problem-solving in a way that is both dynamic and enjoyable. Pupils commented that “the tasks really made us think outside the box and utilise every person in our team” and that “it was fun going outdoors and working as a team with people you might not normally talk to.” Others particularly enjoyed the more playful elements: “The turtle game was fun because it included everyone, was actually a challenge, and improved our teamwork.”
What shines through in all the feedback is the impact on relationships and group cohesion. As one pupil noted, “It helped us bond well with our tutor groups and build our communication as well as teamwork skills.” Students also highlighted how supportive and approachable the facilitators were: “The staff were very nice and supportive during the games.”
The staff from Hidden Leaders are consistently enthusiastic, knowledgeable, and professional. Their careful organisation and attention to detail mean that our school staff can step back to observe, participate, or simply enjoy watching the pupils flourish. The blend of enriching content, expert facilitation, and memorable activities has left a lasting impact on our students, and we are already looking forward to welcoming Hidden Leaders back. I would not hesitate to recommend them to any school seeking to provide high-quality, purposeful enrichment experiences for their pupils.
Samantha Webster, Deputy Head (Innovation), Caterham School
The LOtC Quality Badge is the only national award assessing both the quality of risk management and educational provision across all types of learning outside the classroom providers.
Using a provider of LOtC who holds the LOtC Quality Badge gives you peace of mind that they have been assessed for their quality of risk management and their education. LOtC Quality Badge holders all have to meet a set of Quality Indicators.
“Tom and his colleagues delivering the event were completely professional, accommodating and entirely engaging of the young people when facilitating their session during my assessment. Their approach was open and friendly yet challenging of the young people in such a way that they were encouraged and enticed to develop the ideas, tasks and themes set for them, that all goals were achieved, and in some cases exceeded. Tom’s ability to cross reference and pollinate aspects of his philosophy background to inform his delivery, also shone through.” LOtC in-person assessor.
We needed a varied, engaging and team-building experience as part of our Activity Week in school. The variety was super - from debating and activating hard thinking in “Speculate to Accumulate”, to the physical skills needed for the outdoor team-building, to the strategy and resourcefulness required for the egg-drop. The leaders were skilful and engaging, the activities were well-crafted, and the organisation and communication were excellent. The staff thought it was very well-run and engaging, and the students really enjoyed it. It was superb for helping students get to know each other, work well together and think critically. Thank you and we’d love to have you back next year!
Sarah Elliot, Assistant Head (Teaching & Learning and Staff Development), Streatham and Clapham High School
What do we do?
What we do
Listen to your aims and goals for your day(s)
Put together a proposal for you to review
Make changes based on your feedback
Select staff from our trusted team to run your activities
Do a “site visit” to your school in advance, at a time convenient to you
Liaise with your site staff about setting up
Arrive the day before to set up our equipment
Give all SEN/medical information to our staff (and destroy it afterwards)
Deliver all activities on the day
Provide prizes and rewards
Leave your school site looking exactly as it did
Give you a set of activities and resources for your own CPD
All you need to do
Tell us about your aims for your day
Review and tell us what you think of our proposal
Send us the student team lists, with any medical/SEN info
Arrange the timetable for teaching staff (they just need to be on hand for pastoral issues)
Sit back and drink tea under our Teachers’ Tent.
We needed a whole-school weekend activity, and Hidden Leaders provided a site-wide clue chase. The activities and clues were personalised for our school. The girls really enjoyed the activities and all enjoyed themselves during the day. Colleagues said that the staff from Hidden Leaders were very engaging.
Fi Gee, Head of Activities and Trips, Wycombe Abbey School
FAQs
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Usually, yes. We understand that one of the largest costs for an offsite school experience is the transport needed to get there.
Therefore, we transform your school and its facilities into your very own outdoor learning environment.
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The Junior Big Think Day is designed for the “off-season” when spirits are lower and a showpiece, off-timetable day is just the ticket.
So we run a set of thinking challlenges indoors - using the facilities you have available, such as the hall, drama studio, and classrooms.
For our “warm-weather” offer, see our Primary Problem Solvers days.
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We would love to welcome as many school staff as possible to the day to support the students and get involved in some of the activities. However, we understand that releasing staff from their busy teaching timetables is difficult. Our facilitators will run all sessions, so we will just need some school staff on hand to support on more pastoral matters and supervise during any breaks.
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These days are predominantly delivered in the south and east of England. If your school is further afield then please do continue to get in touch and we look into it further
Interested in this day?
Send us a message and we’ll get back to you within a day.
Alternatively, call us:
01245 830123
Or schedule a 15-minute call with Tom, our Co-Founder and Co-Director!