Calvert Exmoor Outdoor Residential Activity Centre North Devon

School residential trips are undoubtedly special occasions. At Calvert Exmoor, we understand the complexities involved and the pressure to ensure that every detail is perfect while keeping students safe and engaged. That’s why we’re dedicated to providing support in every way possible.

We offer accessible accommodation for up to 60 people, complete with meals and a variety of adventure activities, making us an ideal choice for start or end-of-year treats. We aim to create a venue where pupils and teachers can unwind and enjoy themselves while learning.

However, we don’t stop at the basics. We assist with educational journeys that align with your school’s syllabus and the National Curriculum. Think of us as a pre-planned, off-road trail into outdoor adventure, tailored to support your learning goals.

If you need additional teaching tools aligned with the National Curriculum, we’re here to help. This includes:

-Awareness: Attend our group leader ‘intro’ weekends to familiarise yourself with our centre before making a decision
-Planning: Collaborate with us to design a residential programme that targets specific learning objectives
Integration: Explore everyday concepts through exciting outdoor adventures, seamlessly blending learning with fun
-Reflection and assessment: Incorporate structured reflection sessions before, during, and after the residential to help students recognise their achievements. Teachers can also assess progress towards curriculum objectives through observation and discussions
-Resources and support: We provide all necessary forms and parental paperwork, and you’ll have access to our on-site facilities, staff, and equipment for a fulfilling and comfortable stay

As proud members of the Council for Learning Outside the Classroom, we recognise the significance of student activities in achieving both individual and national educational targets. At Calvert Exmoor, we integrate much of the National Curriculum into the experiences of schools during their stay, whether intentionally or inadvertently, through the guidance of our staff and interactions with other residential guests. We collaborate closely with you to ensure alignment with your objectives and desired learning outcomes.

Regardless of the curriculum you follow, we acknowledge that its aims likely parallel those of the National Curriculum of England. As such, we are committed to providing the resources necessary for your students to engage with this learning, fostering their spiritual, moral, cultural, mental, and physical development along the journey.

With SEND students being our speciality, Calvert Exmoor is a leading centre for schools that have various levels of disabilities.

We understand the complexities involved of booking and the pressure to ensure that every detail is perfect while keeping students safe and engaged. That’s why we’re dedicated to providing support in every way possible.

We offer accessible accommodation for up to 60 people, complete with meals and a variety of adventure activities, making us an ideal choice for start or end-of-year treats.

Our aim is to create a venue where pupils and teachers can unwind and enjoy themselves.

However, we don’t stop at the basics. We assist with educational journeys that align with your school’s syllabus and the National Curriculum. Think of us as a pre-planned, off-road trail into outdoor adventure, tailored to support your learning goals.

If you need additional teaching tools aligned with the National Curriculum, we’re here to help. This includes:

• Awareness: Attend our group leader ‘intro’ weekends to familiarise yourself with our centre before making a decision
• Planning: Collaborate with us to design a residential programme that targets specific learning objectives
• Integration: Explore everyday concepts through exciting outdoor adventures, seamlessly blending learning with fun
• Reflection and assessment: Incorporate structured reflection sessions before, during, and after the residential to help students recognise their achievements. Teachers can also assess progress towards curriculum objectives through observation and discussions
• Resources and support: We provide all necessary forms and parental paperwork, and you’ll have access to our on-site facilities, staff, and equipment for a fulfilling and comfortable stay
• The Calvert Exmoor experience promotes physical activity, boosts self-belief, helps with social interaction, and gives pupils and staff a shared point of reference which can help with engagement when back in the classroom.

Whatever their age or ability, a visit can provide a life-changing experience, building self-confidence, developing life skills, growing friendships, and having fun. It also subconsciously supports learning, as outlined in the Calvert Curriculum.

The Calvert Curriculum: As proud members of the Council for Learning Outside the Classroom, we recognise the significance of student activities in achieving both individual and national educational targets. At Calvert Exmoor, we integrate much of the National Curriculum into the experiences of schools during their stay, whether intentionally or inadvertently, through the guidance of our staff and interactions with other residential guests. We collaborate closely with you to ensure alignment with your objectives and desired learning outcomes.

Regardless of the curriculum you follow, we acknowledge that its aims likely parallel those of the National Curriculum of England. As such, we are committed to providing the resources necessary for your students to engage with this learning, fostering their spiritual, moral, cultural, mental, and physical development along the journey.

Our Calvert Curriculum offers a detailed overview of how Calvert Exmoor provides, enables and promotes the National Curriculum during your visit

What activities are suitable for people with disabilities? All of them!

Every activity at Calvert Exmoor can be undertaken at various levels by people with any disability or complex needs, but only when taking part in an activity session lead by a Calvert instructor:

• Abseiling wall
• Archery
• Bushcraft
• Bikes (accessible and adapted for rides around a reservoir)
• Canoeing on the reservoir
• Climbing, indoor and outdoor
• Crate stack, indoor and outdoor
• Giant swing
• Stables – horse and carriage riding, or meet-and-greet experiences

Evening activities or entertainment could be:

• Swimming
• Games, quizzes and bingo
• Reservoir walk
• Disco
• Zoo visit / meet the animals
• Creative arts and crafts
• Campfire
• Scavenger hunt
• Movie night

Calvert Exmoor:

• Association of Heads of Outdoor Education Centres (AHOEC) Gold Standard
• Adventurous Activities Licensing Authority (AALA)
• Adventure Activities Industry Advisory Committee (AALAC) Adventure Mark
• Council for Learning Outside the Classroom Quality Badge
• Disability Confident Employer
• Registered with the Fundraising Regulator
• Chartered Institute of Fundraising membership

Equestrian Centre:

• The British Horse Society membership
• Riding for the Disabled Association membership
• The Pony Club membership
• BHS stage 4, 3 and 2 level staff coaching
• RDA Driving coaches
• Pony Club coaching
• Approved Professional Coaches membership
• 5* Devon County Council Animal Welfare license

The centre can accommodate groups from 16 people minimum to maximum of 60.

There are 60 beds across 19 bedrooms and 5 apartments. Bedrooms come in single, twin, and triple configurations with en-suite shower rooms and toilets, along with basic furniture and adaptive equipment for guests with physical disabilities.

The accommodation is based around a communal courtyard for easy access to dining areas and essential facilities, ensuring easy supervision by teachers and on-site staff.

Details about specific accommodation can be found via the link below: https://calvertexmoor.org.uk/experience/accommodation

The Calvert Exmoor Health and Safety Policy, Risk Management Summary, and Safeguarding Policy, are publicly available online and can be provided upon request.

Risk Assessments for individual activities and plans for various scenarios are not available publicly but can be provided if needed.

Absolutely, we encourage schools and groups to take as many photos and videos as possible, for their own memories and to share on social media as they see appropriate. This should be of their booking only and never of any other groups on site at the time.

Calvert Exmoor may also approach schools and group leaders to ask for permission to take our own photos and videos for our marketing needs.

All bookings are taken over the phone where we can talk, get to know each other, and fully understand your needs and requirements.

Phone 01598 763221 (option 1) to discuss your thoughts and questions with the Guest Services team. Phone lines are open 9am to 6pm every day of the week.

2-night breaks from £188 per person

Arrive on Monday OR Wednesday OR Friday

Join us on your arrival day to let off steam and have a good sleep. Then it’s an action-packed day and a half of activities before checking out in the afternoon of the third day.

4-night breaks from £349 per person

Stay Monday to Friday

Arrive in your own time on Monday, enjoy 7 amazing activity sessions Tuesday to Thursday, before extra activities and a fond farewell on Friday.

(1 free staff member for every 10 students)

Price includes accommodation, dining, activities and use of the facilities.

Bedrooms are available from 4pm but arrive whenever you like to make the most of the day. Evening meals are always served at 6pm, breakfast at 8.30am, lunch at 1pm. Checking out of rooms is by 10am so we can clean them (but you’ll still do an activity session and have lunch before going home).

Morning activity sessions start at 10am and afternoon sessions start at 2pm.

All instructors and Guest Services team are qualified first aiders with yearly training, and almost all staff receive first aid training with set procedures in places for treatments and emergencies. First aid kits are placed around the centre. We do not require or ask for groups to bring a first aider as part of the booking terms and condition, but of course they can for their own risk assessment requirements.

• 19 en-suite bedrooms
• 5 apartments
• Reception and shop
• Swimming pool and jacuzzi
• The Barn social area with bar
• Dining room and conservatory
• Acland room – large communal meeting and resting space with balcony
• TV room – small and cosy
• Laundry room
• Sensory room
• Wheelchair charging room
• High needs wet rooms
• Clothes drying room
• Designated space for lessons or storage
• Free WiFi

The main centre building is a listed Victorian farmstead that was converted in the 1990s to the fully accessible centre we love. Every year 100s of wheelchair users visit and praise the ability to more around.

The main reception desk and phone lines are open 9am to 6pm every day of the week.

The centre runs residential breaks all year round, except for Christmas and January.

“MoorVision have visited Calvert Exmoor every year for the last 13 years. Calvert is absolutely the only place we know where every single child and young person can join in every single activity regardless of the type or severity of their disability. There are no barriers at Calvert. The activity instructors are so well trained in supporting a very wide range of disabilities and they ensure that everyone feels fully included.

Not only can these youngsters fully participate in the activities, but the entire centre is accessible to them including accommodation, swimming pool, leisure areas and dining. All dietary requirements and preferences are catered for by the supportive and friendly catering team. The centre is kept spotless at all times. Reception and housekeeping staff are always happy to help.

Our Calvert Exmoor trip is the highlight of our year and we always have a queue of people waiting to join it.” – Laura Hughes, Moorvision Chief Executive Officer

In the middle of the peaceful North Devon countryside, a stone’s throw from the wilderness of Exmoor National Park and just an hour from the city of Exeter.

Each year, half of Calvert Exmoor’s guests visit for their very first adventure, whilst half visit for their second, third, or fourth time.

When asked if their personal aims and goals of their visit were met, 99% of 2023 guests answered yes

In 2023, 98% of guests said the facilities and their accommodation was suitable, comfortable and clean

97% of guests stated their activity programme was well adapted and high quality in 2023