Some of the best learning at school happens outside the classroom. It happens on a trek, in a room full of new faces or on the first night away from home.
Many schools offer residential trips. Ever wondered if your child learns anything new from them?
The short answer is yes, when a trip has a clear purpose. Here is how we think about it at SISD, and what your child can gain on these trips.
A residential school trip is a trip where students stay overnight away from home with their classmates and teachers. Many schools offer them. Each one runs differently.
At SISD, our regional residentials take students to Kalba, Sir Bani Yas Island, Oman and Longbeach. Each one suits a different age group. We choose each destination for what it helps students gain, not because it is new.
Students grow a lot in just a few days. Three changes stand out.
Independence. Students look after their own belongings, manage their time and learn to make decisions on their own.
Teamwork. Students work alongside peers they may not have interacted much with before. They support each other through activities, work around obstacles and solve problems together.
Resilience. Not every activity is easy. That is part of the point. Students learn to try something new, make a mistake and try again.
Every trip should have a clear purpose, so ask the school the right questions. These four help:
Here is how we answer them at SISD.
Before we plan any trip, we look closely at the activities, the experiences and what we want students to gain. When students return, we gather feedback from both students and staff. We also watch for smaller changes back in school.
One student speaks up with new confidence, another steps into a leadership role and another makes a new group of friends.
Every student also has options that do not need travel, which we cover below.
Every March, SISD runs Beyond Borders and Boundaries (BBB) Week. All of our residential, international and local trips take place during this week.
Alongside our regional residentials, our international trips go to Sri Lanka, Kenya and the Tioman Islands. Students also ski in Switzerland, the home of our school’s heritage.
We offer more than 14 local options, so students can join meaningful experiences without the added cost of travelling away from home.
Students can try diving, chocolate making, hands-on DIY building workshops, golf, AI and robotics, musical theatre and culinary arts. They can explore Dubai or build an AI start-up. Older students can join CAS and internship programmes. We also run a free SISD enrichment programme.
We want these local experiences to be just as exciting and valuable as the longer trips.
Whichever trip a student chooses, the goal stays the same. Every student feels included, tests themselves, builds confidence, learns new skills and makes good memories.
When do SISD school trips take place?
Residential, international and local trips all take place during Beyond Borders and Boundaries Week in March.
Which trips can my child join?
SISD offers international trips, regional residentials and more than 14 local options.
Does my child need to travel to take part?
No. Our local trips give students real-world experiences without the added cost of travelling away from home.
If you want a school that teaches inside and outside the classroom, we would love to meet you. Book a school tour or contact our admissions team to start your family’s SISD journey.
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