Schools’ pupils go loco over Santa trip

Riding aboard Peak Rail’s festive steam train Cathryn were six classes from Aurora Summerfields, six classes from Aurora Hanley plus the whole of Aurora Ryefields school! 

“Our facilities team came along and so did our admin staff. Even our chef climbed aboard,” said Ryefields Deputy Head Teacher Francesca Knowles-Brown, who organised the trip. “The only person left on site at our school was Head Teacher Paul Foxton!” 

Francesca said she had the idea to organise the festive trip after pupils said they weren’t keen on a pantomime visit. “We asked pupils what they might like to do for Christmas and the feedback was that the panto might be a bit too overstimulating. However, a lot of our pupils are into trains, and, in particular, steam trains so this got me thinking. The idea was very much driven by ‘pupil voice’,” she said.  

The Santa Express left Rowsley South Station with more than 150 passengers on board from the three schools and they enjoyed a fun-filled journey to Matlock that included magicians, tasty treats and a visit from Father Christmas. 

“The pupils really enjoyed it and we had some lovely feedback” 

Francesca said that when she first floated the idea to parents, one mum was anxious because Christmas was overwhelming for her 12-year-old child. 

“So we did what Aurora does best,” said Francesca. “We did lots of preparation and talking through social stories with the child so they understood what the day entailed. When the child returned after the trip they said they had had the best day ever. What an amazing outcome!” 

Francesca said another satisfying aspect of the day was that almost all of Ryefields’ parents came along. 

“We’re very conscious that many of our pupils arrive at school in taxis and so parents miss out on meeting other parents and enjoying that sense of community at the gate,” she said.  

“We all travelled to the railway station on a coach together, which gave parents the opportunity to sit and talk with each other and us. ‘Community’ is something we’re very keen to encourage at Ryefields."

"It was also great to be able to link with the other Aurora schools because it demonstrated that we’re not isolated, we’re part of a far larger SEND ‘family’ at Aurora."

Hanley Head of School Julie Martin said her students also had a fabulous time and enjoyed meeting Santa. She added: “The students got to experience travelling through the beautiful Derwent Valley, with lots of opportunities to learn about trains and travel in the past, as well as having such an enjoyable festive-themed day.” 

Kirsty Jockel, Head of School at Summerfields, echoed Julie. “The children were singing all the way back to school on the coach,” she said.