Dartmouth Academy

What is The Big Step? Imagine your child is about to take that huge leap from primary to secondary school — exciting, but also nerve-wracking. The Big Step is a summer programme designed to ease those nerves, build confidence, and help them make friends before school even starts. ?? What Will They Actually Do? We’re not just about ‘keeping them busy’. Every day is packed with fun, hands-on experiences that get kids talking, thinking, and laughing together. Glow-in-the-Dark Dodgeball* – yes, it’s as fun as it sounds! They’ll play in UV-lit zones with music pumping and team challenges to break the ice. CSI Investigations – they’ll become young detectives, solving a ‘crime’ using real forensic techniques like fingerprint dusting and evidence decoding. Escape Room Boxes – team logic games where students work together to unlock secret codes and crack story-driven puzzles. Martial Arts Workshops – led by trained instructors, these sessions teach basic self-defence moves and build confidence and focus. Classroom Games – Silly Games – quickfire, hilarious mini-games that break the ice and get everyone relaxed and involved. Let’s Cook! – simple, healthy recipes they’ll actually want to eat (and can recreate at home). Think wraps, smoothies and ‘fakeaways’. Crazy Golf Build & Play – they’ll design and build their own golf courses out of everyday materials, then challenge other teams to play them. Anxiety & Transition Workshops – all done in a fun, gentle way. We explore real worries and offer tools to handle change – breathing techniques, what-if planning, and confidence boosts. And Much, Much More... – Every site has its own flair and extras, so no two weeks are the same! *only available in some schools.

Your child will receive a cold packed lunch (sandwich, healthy desert and snack) and soft drink. We will contact you prior to the summer with further details.