School Trip Area Choices
/ Isle of Wight Trip Activities / Sports / Watersports / Goodleaf Tree Climbing
Students will learn how to (safely!) climb a huge oak tree giving far-reaching views across the Solent back to the mainland.
Sessions are delivered by mature instructors who encourage independent learning, foster a sense of self-belief and teach responsible risk management in a fun and safe environment.
All safety equipment is provided, along with expert instruction. We love the fact that it's not always the children that are usually best at sports that achieve the most during this activity...
Goodleaf Tree Climbing is great for all ages, but perhaps a little overwhelming for the very youngest visitors
Forget the coach and take a walk to:
Here's some of the most frequently-asked questions about school visits to Goodleaf Tree Climbing, posed by teachers and other group leaders
No, although there are cafes nearby
Large picnic blankets are available, or you can walk down to the beach nearby
It is safe to climb during inclement weather but obviously the chances of postponement or cancellation increase if the forecast is more than just a shower. For this reason we usually try to schedule climbs for the early part of the week to give a little flexibility in case of weather related delays although this does of course depend on availability. In the lighter months, evening climbs are usually possible.
Public toilets 5 minutes walk from the tree in the direction of the car park
Staff are first aid trained and carry basic equipment
All safety equipment will be provided but you do need to dress appropriately. This means sturdy footwear - no open toes - long sleeves and long trousers or thick tights / leggings to lessen the chance of abrasion injuries.
For tree climbing, long sleeves and long trousers / leggings / thick tights are required to avoid abrasion injuries. Open-toed shoes are not permitted. All safety gear is provided. Goodleaf is entirely outdoors so dress accordingly.
All equipment sanitised after each use
We will pre-book your visit for you and this will be paid directly by Education Destination. All you need to do is show up at the agreed time, introduce yourself to the instructors and take it from there!
There are public toilets within a few minutes' walk of the climbing area. As these are out of sight of the tree we strongly suggest adult accompanyment.
Ground sheets can be provided for you to eat a packed lunch picnic style. You could always head down to the beach nearby or to any of a handful of local cafes on the seafront.
Students will climb in small groups and depending how the day is structured each group will need around 90 minutes to 2 hours to complete their climb. We can arrange other self-led activities in the area for waiting groups, or arrange coach transfers to allow half-day swaps with other activities elsewhere. The climbing tree is in a large public park adjacent to a large sandy beach, so there's plenty of scope.
On arrival you will be met by a Goodleaf staff member (unless advised otherwise) who will escort you to the climbing area. This can be a bit of a walk - 10 minutes. En route you will pass a public toilet facility - this is the nearest one to the climbing area.
At the tree the order of play will be outlined depending on the size of your group, and alternative activities offered for those needing to wait.
Each group will receive a detailed safety briefing before being allowed to climb.
You need to cross a 100m or so of grass to reach the climbing area so this may present difficulties for wheelchairs or the infirm, but once at the tree the team have all the necessary equipment to allow full participation in virtually all cases.
The following Goodleaf Tree Climbing educational resources are FREE to use when you book your trip with Education Destination. Some include pre or post-visit classroom work, others are on-site activities. All are accompanied by detailed Teacher Notes and some even have sample lesson plans!
Prepared by our expert team of teachers with local Island knowledge, each resource addresses a specific National Curriculum topic. Click on any image for full details.
Visit Goodleaf Tree Climbing on an Isle of Wight school trip with Education Destination, and here are some of the learning opportunities available alongside having FUN!
... but thinking about a different destination? Check out:
KS2 SEND Teacher with a group of 12 Upper KS2 students
KS2 Teacher with a group of 30 Upper KS2 students
