Feedback has been requested from the teachers at some of the schools involved in the resilience programme. The overwhelming reaction from each teacher was that the experience of the pupils has been a very positive one.
Most of the pupils were excited and looking forward to the week. Family members in other schools had told them how much they had enjoyed working with Call of the Wild. The tasks were challenging and required mental effort (the right level of challenge to allow children to need resilience skills).
It has been such a beneficial week – I have seen the positive impact it has had on every child.
The theory work along with the practical activities has allowed the children to gain a better understanding of their behaviour and actions- very useful. The children have developed life skills by doing this. They have enjoyed all aspects of the week – learning outdoors, the building task and the off-site day were particularly popular. It has been really beneficial for staff too and I will certainly use lots of the ideas. It has been such a good time for the children to take part – they will certainly use the skills they have learnt to help with their transition to secondary school! Every aspect has been superb – Thank you to everyone, we are hugely grateful for this experience!
Lindsay Mellor, Year 6 Teacher, Catwg Primary, Feb 2025
Every day was planned in detail, and the enthusiasm of all the instructors in every task was clear to see. It is clear to see that the pupils have thoroughly enjoyed, and gained valuable experience from the course which will help them moving forward. I have seen a big change in the pupils’ commitment and confidence throughout the week, and as said previously, this is due to the brilliant teaching and activities they have completed.
Josh Hanbury YGG Lonlas
The Call of the Wild Resilient Pupil Programme has been incredibly beneficial for the pupils of year 6. For many of the pupils, this programme was very tough for them and I know a few were worried and scared of what was going to be facing them. But seeing them participating in activities that they would never take part in before, shows how beneficial the resilience programme was for them, mentally, emotionally and physically. It was heart-warming to see all the pupils go out of their comfort zones a little and giving every activity a try, however difficult and challenging they may have found it. Many pupils said how the programme has helped prepare them for the move to comprehensive school and from what the pupils have told me, and from what I have seen, their confidence has been boosted massively.
Menna Johns YGG Lonlas
As a staff, we now use the resilience vocabulary to help Tyrese face new challenges. It’s great that he now understands these skills / mindsets and, with support, can apply them in other areas of his life. It’s quite exciting to think of the impact the training will have for him.
Ben Brown Clwyd Community Primary
The team building activities and resilience theory in particular was very useful as we have seen the amount of conflict at playtime reduced. Children really progressed over the week and came out of their shell.
Yasmin Davies Clwyd Community Primary
I would just like to say a huge thank you to yourself and the COTW team for everything last week with our Year 6 children. It has been lovely to hear the children talk about the programme and what they’ve taken away from it. We will definitely look at how we can incorporate the theory into our everyday classroom practice.
Aled has also told me how excellent you and the team were with the children. The demographics of my class are quite diverse and sometimes they can be unpredictable. He informed me that you all catered for the children brilliantly and for that, I sincerely thank you for your patience and understanding. The children really think highly of you all too.
Sean Phillips Dowlais Primary
On behalf of the children, we would like to thank all of you at Call of the Wild. The skills learnt from the resilience programme have been invaluable for our children. The resilience theory is now something that is being implemented within our school, led by those children who attended your resilience week.
We would also like to thank those instructors who attended for their commitment to the children; their patience and approachable manner; and for their well-planned and engaging activities.
Our children are passionate about resilience and still use the language taught during this week within the classroom. We are sure that when next faced with adversity, they will certainly remember this week. Thank you, we hope to work with you again very soon.
Aled Keating Dowlais Primary
Call of the Wild Development Trust CIO 