How our GROW! programme enhances student character development

Character development plays a vital role in helping young people build the skills and qualities they need to thrive, both in school and beyond. At PGL, we believe learning doesn’t just happen in the classroom. That’s why we created the GROW! Programme to give students of all ages the chance to step outside their comfort zones, discover what they’re capable of, and develop essential character strengths in a safe, supportive environment.

 

Whether it’s overcoming a challenging activity, working as part of a team, or reflecting on their achievements, GROW! empowers students to grow in confidence, resilience, and independence, qualities that last a lifetime.

Why character development is important for students

Every young person faces moments when they need more than just knowledge to succeed. Whether it’s coping with setbacks, working alongside others, or stepping into something unfamiliar, strong character skills make all the difference.

When students build qualities like confidence, resilience, and teamwork, they’re better prepared for whatever comes their way—in school and in life.

Recent research shows just how valuable these skills are:

• The Education Endowment Foundation found that programmes focusing on social and emotional learning can lead to four months’ additional academic progress over a year.
• Ofsted highlights personal development as a key measure of high-quality education, recognising its role in helping students grow into well-rounded, responsible young people.
• Studies by the Jubilee Centre for Character and Virtues have shown that character education supports greater well-being, stronger relationships, and a clearer sense of purpose.
• Pearson’s 2025 school report highlights that teachers feel one of the main skills and qualities that should be prioritised outside of the classroom is resilience. coming in at a staggering 69%

Helping students develop character isn’t just about achieving better grades-it’s about equipping them with tools they’ll use every day:

• Resilience to handle challenges, setbacks, and change. This could mean a student who doesn’t give up on a tricky maths problem or bounces back quickly after a disappointing test result.
• Confidence to believe in themselves and try new things. Think of a student who confidently raises their hand to answer a question, even if they’re not entirely sure, or volunteers to lead a group project.
• Teamwork skills include listening, communicating, and solving problems together. This is like students effectively collaborating on a science experiment, ensuring everyone’s voice is heard and contributing to the final outcome.
• Empathy and respect for the people around them. This might look like a student offering to help a classmate who’s struggling or understanding different perspectives during a class discussion.

At PGL, we’ve seen firsthand how time away from the classroom can ignite this growth. When students are encouraged to step up, support each other, and reflect on their experiences, they discover strengths they didn’t know they had-and bring those lessons home with them.

What is the GROW! programme?

GROW! is PGL’s dedicated framework for character development, woven into every part of your students’ residential adventure. The programme is designed to help young people build and reflect on the personal qualities that will help them thrive, both now and in the future.

GROW! at PGL is all about personal development.

It’s designed to help students:

 

• Build resilience – Helping them persevere through challenges and learn from setbacks.
• Encourage a spirit of exploration – Promoting a positive attitude toward trying new experiences.
• Boost wellbeing – Supporting self-awareness and a sense of achievement.

Throughout your stay, the GROW! programme is brought to life by our trained staff, who guide students through activities and structured reflection sessions. For example:

• Before an activity, students are encouraged to set personal goals, whether that’s reaching the top of the climbing wall or supporting a friend.
• During the activity, instructors help them recognise and celebrate progress, even if they find something difficult.
• Afterwards, reflection sessions help students identify what they learned about themselves and how they can apply those lessons back at school.

GROW! is carefully designed to integrate seamlessly into the residential experience. Rather than feeling like an add-on, it forms the backbone of every visit, ensuring that each challenge and success contributes to meaningful personal growth.

Whether students are learning to paddle a canoe, tackling a high ropes course, or solving a team problem, GROW! provides a consistent framework that builds confidence, resilience, and a sense of purpose.

How GROW! Enhances student character development

Our GROW! programme nurtures a wide range of personal skills through hands-on adventures and guided reflection. From building resilience to encouraging curiosity, each part of the GROW! experience is designed to help students develop essential qualities that support their growth in school and beyond. Below, we explore how the programme strengthens key areas of character development and helps young people discover what they’re capable of.

Let’s take a look at the key aspects of our GROW! programme that are beneficial for your students: 

Boosting independence

One of the key aspects of character development for students is learning to be independent. Our programme is packed with activities that encourage students to take initiative. Through tasks that require problem-solving and independent thinking, students gain essential skills that promote self-sufficiency.

Stand Up Paddle Boarding, Survivor, and Laser Tag are just a few examples of activities that challenge students to take charge and tackle problems independently. Whether navigating through the water, building a wilderness shelter, or developing team tactics to achieve a common goal, students learn to trust their instincts and make confident decisions that boost their independence. 

 

Building resilience

Resilience is another crucial component of student character development. Our GROW! programme includes activities designed to help students face and overcome difficulties, fostering a mindset that embraces challenges rather than shying away from them.

Abseiling, Fencing and Axe Throwing are specifically chosen to push students out of their comfort zones. These tasks encourage them to adapt to new situations, persevere through setbacks, and develop a “never give up” attitude. Such experiences are vital for building mental toughness and resilience in life. 

 

Growing confidence

At PGL, we provide plenty of opportunities for students to achieve and celebrate their successes. Confidence plays a big role in character development, and through taking on leadership roles and responsibilities, they learn to trust their abilities and assert themselves in different situations.

Through activities like the Vertical Challenge, Canoeing, and the Leap of Faith (formerly Trapeze), students are given the chance to conquer their fears, work as part of a team, and take pride in their accomplishments. These experiences not only boost students’ self-esteem but also inspire them to approach new challenges with confidence and a positive outlook.

 

Encouraging empathy

Empathy is essential for building strong, supportive relationships, and the GROW! programme is a great way for students to develop their social and emotional skills. Through team-building tasks that emphasise cooperation and communication, students learn to understand and appreciate different perspectives. 

For instance, the Giant Swing requires a group of 2 or 3 to decide on their desired height before experiencing a thrilling, fast-paced drop. In Aeroball, players must quickly bounce and score points in the opposing team’s net. Meanwhile, our Problem Solving challenges encourage students to work together to solve puzzles, helping them get to know each other better and appreciate the value of collaboration.

 

Enhancing curiosity

Finally, our GROW! programme offers a diverse range of activities aimed at igniting students’ curiosity and helping them explore new interests and ideas—a vital aspect of student character development.

High-energy sports like Archery tag, and Climbing are designed to stimulate students’ innovative thinking and problem-solving skills to achieve the best outcome. Whether it’s building water confidence, hitting the bullseye, or reaching the top of a climbing tower, these experiences can help students uncover hidden talents and pursue their passions with enthusiasm. 

Our character development activities for students

Every PGL activity is chosen not just for its excitement, but for the opportunities it creates for personal growth. From building confidence to strengthening teamwork, here are just a few of the activities that support key areas of character development:

• Climbing, Quick Jump and Abseiling – Build resilience and self-belief as students tackle physical challenges and push past fear.
• Canoeing and stand-up paddle boarding – Encourage independence, decision-making, and responsibility on the water.
• Problem Solving and Raft Building – Encourage teamwork, communication, and creative thinking in collaborative tasks.
• Giant Swing and Zip Wire – Boost confidence and courage by encouraging students to face their fears in a safe environment.
• Survivor and Orienteering – Develop leadership, independence, and practical skills in real-world scenarios.
• Lazer Tag and Axe Throwing – Promote focus, discipline, and personal achievement through skill-based challenges.
• Aeroball – Strengthen empathy, cooperation, and positive peer relationships.

These activities aren’t just fun-they’re powerful tools for learning. With the support of trained PGL staff, students are encouraged to reflect on what they’ve achieved, how they worked with others, and what they’ve discovered about themselves along the way.

Book your students GROW! adventure today!

Ready to give your students an unforgettable experience? Contact us today to book your GROW! school trip and help them build the character and skills need to thrive! 

We also offer other exciting residential trip programmes for both primary and secondary schools, including: 

• UNITE! adventures designed to improve Relationships  (for Years 6-9)
• PIONEER! adventures designed to introduce Experiences in nature  (for Years 3 & 4)
• MASTER! adventures designed to hone bushcraft Abilities  (Year 5)
• THRIVE! adventures are designed to support Health & Wellbeing

Need more advice? Check out our top 5 tips for planning a successful school trip.