Year 9 Kath Fry Challenge Success ( Published: 09/07/2026)

The students were praised for their teamwork and came out as winners of this year’s competition. In June 2026, they were presented with their trophy by the Lord Mayor of Manchester.

Alaa, a Year 9 student, recounts the experience…

My Amazing and Unforgettable Ghyll Head Adventure

I was lucky enough to be one of ten students from Whalley Range 11-18 High School, who attended a three-day residential trip to Ghyll Head. Accompanied by our PE teachers (Miss Clarke and Miss Blick), we set off on what would become an unforgettable adventure.

We arrived at Ghyll Head at around 6.30pm. As soon as we got there, I was amazed by how beautiful the house was. The surrounding scenery was stunning, with breathtaking views all around us. We received a warm welcome from the staff, who showed us to our rooms and explained the rules for the weekend.

After settling in, we headed to the locker room to collect our outdoor equipment before preparing for our first challenge – a night hike. At 8pm, we set off into complete darkness. The hike was carefully organised, with one leader at the front of the group and another at the back to make sure everyone stayed safe. We were also given radios, whistles and compasses in case of an emergency.

One of the most exciting parts of the hike was having to navigate our own route using a map and compass in the pitch-black countryside. It was challenging but great fun. Everyone behaved brilliantly and worked together as a team, coming up with ways to make sure everyone was safe. We enjoyed the experience and learned valuable navigation skills.

After returning to the house, we spent time relaxing, playing games and getting to know each other better before heading to bed. We needed plenty of rest because the next day would bring our biggest challenge yet.

On Saturday morning, we woke up early, got dressed and enjoyed a delicious breakfast. There was a huge variety of food available, including cereal, toast, fruit and sausage bagels. It was exactly what we needed to give us energy for the day. Our goal was to climb the Old Man of Coniston, a mountain standing at 803 metres above sea level. After collecting our equipment and packing snacks into our rucksacks, we travelled by minibus to the starting point of the hike.

The walk began with a clear path through the countryside. However, after about an hour, the terrain became much steeper and more challenging. The path was covered with larger rocks, and the weather became much colder. Along the way, we stopped at an old mining site where we explored some of the historic rails and remains of the workings. It was fascinating to imagine what life must have been like for the miners who once worked there.

After another couple of hours hiking, we reached a beautiful lake where we stopped for a well-earned break. We enjoyed our snacks, took in the incredible views and even played some games of charades before continuing our journey.

As we climbed higher, the conditions became increasingly difficult. One section was covered in thick ice and many of us felt nervous about crossing it. Thankfully, our instructor remained calm and supportive throughout. She gave us clear instructions and carefully searched for the safest route possible. Her guidance helped us move forward with confidence and ensured that everyone stayed safe.

Eventually, we reached an altitude of around 600 metres. However, the conditions had become too severe to continue. The path ahead was extremely steep and dangerously icy. Even experienced hikers coming down the mountain advised us not to carry on. As we did not have the specialist equipment required for such conditions, the decision was made to turn back and begin our descent.

Although we were disappointed not to reach the summit, we understood that safety comes first. Before heading down, we made the most of the snowy landscape. We built snowmen, created snow angels and enjoyed a fantastic snowball fight. It was one of the most enjoyable moments of the trip.

As we descended, we stopped several times to take photographs of the beautiful views. The Lake District looked stunning, especially as the afternoon sunlight began to fade. After around two and a half hours of descending, we finally reached the bottom, just in time to watch the beautiful sunset over the surrounding landscape.

By the end of the hike, we were absolutely shattered! However, we were all proud and happy to have completed such a challenging five-hour adventure. Back at Ghyll Head, we were able to change into fresh clothes, relax, chat with friends and recover after a long day outdoors.
Later that evening, we took part in an exciting engineering challenge. Our task was to design a way to drop an egg from the top of a climbing frame without it breaking, using only the materials provided. Every team came up with creative and innovative ideas, demonstrating excellent teamwork, communication and problem-solving skills. The challenge was great fun, and best of all – our egg didn’t crack!

Afterwards, we attended a meeting to plan the final day. We had to decide which activities would earn us the most points while fitting into the timetable. We also had to make sure our choices did not clash with those of other groups. Once everything was organised, we spent some time playing games in our rooms before getting a good night’s sleep, ready for our final day.

Sunday was all about teamwork, strategy and earning points through a variety of exciting activities. Our group took part in canoeing, rock climbing, orienteering, coordination challenges, memory games and other team-based tasks. Every activity required us to work together, communicate effectively and support one another. Throughout the day, our group showed determination, encouragement, excellent teamwork and created endless memories.

Before we knew it, it was time to pack our bags, tidy our rooms and prepare for the journey home. Saying goodbye was difficult because we had enjoyed every moment of the experience and made so many fantastic memories together.

I would like to say a huge thank you to our instructor, who supported and encouraged us throughout the entire trip. Her patience, guidance and enthusiasm helped make the experience so enjoyable. I would also like to thank Miss Clarke for choosing us to take part in this amazing opportunity, and to Miss Blick and all 3 of the adults, for making the weekend even more memorable.

Ghyll Head was an adventure filled with challenge, teamwork, laughter and unforgettable experiences. It taught me resilience, independence and the importance of working together. It is a trip that I will always remember.