Junior School: Year 6 Adventure at Ridgway

15 June 2026

It’s almost a right of passage in the Junior School, and one that every cohort of Year 6 looks forward to as the end of the academic year ends. 

Every June during Activities Week, Year 6 makes their way to Ridgway Adventure in the far north of Scotland for a week of challenge, teamwork and exploration. Making the most of everything the Highlands has to offer, Year 6 took part in sea kayaking, rock climbing, abseiling, creeling, foraging and a mountain day on Arkle, embracing every opportunity to step outside their comfort zones.

One of the highlights of the trip is an overnight stay on Survival Island. After working together to prepare camp, pupils spent the night outdoors before returning the next morning in good spirits despite a few heavy downpours overnight. 

The incredible surroundings added an additional layer to the experience too. The children explored the shores of the nearby loch, paddled across the water in the evening sunshine and rounded off the trip with a visit to the white sands of Oldshoremore Beach, where the windy conditions made for excellent boogie boarding and swimming.

As they prepare to move on to Senior School after the summer, the Ridgway trip marks an important milestone in the Year 6 journey. Throughout the week, pupils had the opportunity to put the IB Learner Profile into practice, becoming Inquirers as they explored the natural world around them, Risk-takers as they tackled mountains and embraced life away from home, Communicators as they worked together through each challenge, and Balanced as they developed both physically and mentally through outdoor adventure.

Reflecting on the week, the Ridgway team described the pupils as “super throughout” and a real pleasure to spend time with, praising the enthusiasm they brought to every activity. We extend a huge thank you to the Ridgway team for their time and patience for making this such a special week for St Leonards pupils once again. 

With thanks to the Ridgway team for the wonderful photography.