These days were introduced to enable schools and colleges to welcome students into sixth forms or other courses in a productive and enjoyable way. The course has been devised by Steve Ranger M.A., P.G.C.E., F.R.G.S. who has undertaken research into the effects of Outdoor Education, and Paul Morley B.Ed. who has researched the value of Outdoor Education in developing self-esteem. This day is also used for undergraduates at Brighton University Business School for their Personal Development Module. Aims The day aims to achieve the introduction of students to one another in a friendly and enjoyable environment, and will also introduce them to elements of: Table Table Table Table Table Table Aims The day aims to achieve the introduction of students to one another in a friendly and enjoyable environment, and will also introduce them to elements of: Working in teams Developing working relationships Co- operation in and between teams Creative problem solving Interpersonal co-operation Organisational skills Format The educational aims of the day are achieved by placing the students in an unfamiliar but non-threatening situation with a series of tasks to complete. Students are divided into teams to provide a competitive element, and over the course of the day undertake a series of specifically designed tasks according to the instructions they receive. The most familiar analogy would be ‘management training’ – style courses where the group is expected to cross a stream with limited materials or build an unusual device to certain specifications. The day is held in a large wooded area and students take part in tasks such as abseiling, high ropes, orienteering and stream crossing, as well as non-physical tasks where communication and teamwork are essential for success. Students are not obliged to take part in an activity if they do not wish to; the course does not need to be physical for every participant and is therefore appropriate for those with disabilities. After the day’s activities there is a review session at which students are able to discuss and reflect upon what they may have experienced. This review is a central part of the day and is conducted by instructional staff experienced in the review process. Location and Itinerary The days are held in Sussex, usually at Blackland Farm near East Grinstead. The start and finish times for the day depend on your requirements, but typically schools opt to begin at 10.00a.m. and finish anytime between 2.30pm and 4.00pm. As the day is based on a bank of tasks, there is no fixed timetable – so we can be completely flexible with times. Clients and References Many of the top schools by examination results in England and Wales take part in these courses every year, and they regard them as a valuable part of their Sixth Form induction.We are happy to give you many references from Headteachers and Heads of Sixth Form – please call and we will put you in touch with a school in your area, or of a similar type. Further advice is available on the uses of Outdoor Education in schools for students and staff; please call us and we will be pleased to help. Cost 2019 – £35 plus VAT per student. Should you have any further questions please don’t hesitate to call the office on 01273 487509. Availability of Courses These days are available throughout the year; however most schools want to run a course in September and October so these months are very busy. Many days are booked a year in advance, but there is usually a date we can agree, so please give us a call. Often we have provisional bookings for dates; these are only confirmed when deposits are received, so if you have a specific date we’ll confirm it with a deposit of £500 + vat. For bookings or enquiries, please email us or call the office (see Contacts page) and we’ll get back to you immediately there’s someone in the office. Please bear in mind that teachers are often hard to get hold of on the telephone (yes, that’s you!) so if you’re teaching every period, leave us an email address or even a mobile number – we won’t pester you with marketing, and don’t keep these in a database for later use.
