The Primary/Prep Taster Workshops
Our Primary/Prep Problem Solver days are incredibly popular for their impact on:
helping prepare children for the multi-disciplinary challenges of secondary school
improving everyone’s communication skills
building independence and resilience
But we know not every school can, or are ready to, go for a whole day and with all our equipment and staff. So we offer Primary/Prep Taster Days, available to any school, at a much lower cost than usual.
These days usually involve us working one particular class or year group for at least half a day - and require minimal set up and organisation by the school. All we need is a space!
“When you’re trying to organise something, it’s incredibly important to have a company you can rely on.”
Alex Curtis, The Cottesloe School
What do we get in a Taster workshop?
Specially selected activities
We hand-pick activities from our usual programmes that can be delivered with little preparation needed from the school
We focus on working with a particular class or year group and deliver a half-day (or full day if desired) to really “go deep” with their skill development
We ensure everything we deliver still incorporates all seven of our “Principles for Practice” that underpin everything we do
Our Year 6 boys were given a special opportunity this week to participate in a workshop provided by a company called Hidden Leaders. The boys worked together in groups to solve riddles, have debates and plan strategies to overcome different challenges. The collaborative task activities were extremely rewarding to see how many of the boys enjoyed and actively engaged throughout the day. As a result, we saw a significant leap in them developing higher level thinking skills, confidence and collaborative working. What a great experience and it will be invaluable for those boys doing similar tasks as part of their 11+ entrance!
Rob Ashbrook, Head of Year 6, Loyola Prep School
You still get the real deal!
Our taster days are only delivered by our two Founders and Directors - Tom and Alex, who bring a combined 25 years experience of facilitating teamwork challenges
We maintain our commitment to CPD: we talk your staff through our teamwork techniques for immediate transfer to the classroom
All staff receive a copy of Tom Bigglestone’s “Table-Top Team Building” to extend the legacy of the day
All the staff loved it!
Views of some of the boys below…
Child A - "The workshops were a really fun experience. I really enjoyed the atmosphere and it was a pleasure to be a part of day. The best part was the riddle activity competing against other teams even though we didn't win."
Child B - "The workshops were very interactive. Tom the instructor taught us strategies on how to debate effecitvley and that listening is such an integral part of communication that we all undervalue at times."
Child C "I enjoyed the workshops because it taught me some additional communication and teamwork skills. It was such an amazing day that all the boys in Ruds had a fabulous time."
Year 6, Prep School, Essex
…and easy to organise!
It’s already easy to work with us - and that’s when we bring a van-load of archery and axe throwing-ranges, catapults team-building equipment
Our taster workshops are even simpler. In fact, it’s as easy as 1, 2 3…
Get in touch with us to tell us about your aims
Work with us on finding a good date
Give us a space, and information we need for students
And sit back and watch us run the workshops.
Watching the children “grow” throughout the day was incredible. The range of activities ensured that all our children were engaged, regardless of physical or mental ability. Stepping out of comfort zones was huge for some of our class but the way the activities were arranged and delivered ensured success for all. Our loudest, more confident listened, whilst our less confident and more reserved spoke. It was marvellous to see this beyond the classroom setting and with limited adult input. The task ensured that there were opportunities for all to shine.
Alex, Tom and their team were absolutely brilliant with our children. Their enthusiasm, encouragement and supportive manner ensured a marvellous opportunity for us all.
Bridget Kaal, Year 6 Teacher, Goffs Oak Primary School
Interested in a taster workshop?
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!
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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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For Taster Days, we try to combine a mix of indoor and outdoor.
It is likely that we will look to use a school hall/ gym or classroom for some of our thinking and problem-solving sessions. Plus a playground or field space to make sure we’re not stuck inside all day!
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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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Yes! Get in touch with us today. We have never told a school they’re too far away.
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We try to keep costs as low as possible, and so rather than charge p/head, we agree a fixed fee based on what we’re delivering to cover our overhead costs. We’re so confident you’ll love it and want us back for more, we begin these days at as little as £400+VAT.
“The activities really made you think and you learn different tactics work for different things.”
Year 6 student
“If you try do everything yourself you’re going to struggle… this workshop helped us collaborate with people in our class.”
Year 6 student
What do we do?
What we do for our Taster Workshops
Listen to your aims and goals for your day
Put together a proposal for you to review
Liaise with your organising staff member about set 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 space 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
Give us the a space to use!
Relax!
We’re probably not for you if:
you’re happy with a generic team-building-company who “bringing the inflatables” without much staff expertise
you want to put the pressure of running your event on your staff
you’re not concerned about the long-term impact on student’s soft skills
Why you can trust us…
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.
Interested in a taster workshop?
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!