Kingswood News | Autumn 2012 by CampBeaumont

AUTUMN NEWS 2012

KINGSWOOD.CO.UK

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LEARNING BY DOING

OUTDOOR EDUCATION & ADVENTURE CENTRES

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Surviving the changing climate Randall Williams Former Chair of the English Outdoor Council, Randall Williams, takes a look at the challenges facing the outdoor education industry in a climate of austerity. Like many services, outdoor education is fighting for survival in an unforgiving climate. Many local authority centres have closed or are under threat of closure. This gives the private and charitable sectors an opportunity for growth in partial compensation. Yet it may have a detrimental impact on some more disadvantaged young people. Those children whose parents can afford to pay will continue to benefit from the experience of outdoor education. But the withdrawal of local authority subsidies could mean that those whose parents can’t afford it may miss out on a very powerful developmental experience. In principle, both the Department for Education (DfE) and Ofsted support outdoor education, but this doesn’t extend to practical help for schools. The DfE doesn’t issue any specific guidance on the matter and Ofsted doesn’t routinely comment on the extent of a school’s outdoor education offering. Despite this, many schools continue to offer outdoor education to all pupils and many head teachers remain enthusiastic, perhaps because they’ve been able to see the benefits for themselves. There is incontrovertible evidence for the positive effects of outdoor education and there is still substantial political

support for it. There was massive support for a 2010 Early Day Motion and the Education Select Committee is strongly in favour of an entitlement for every child, along with the accompanying financial provision. Unfortunately the current coalition government doesn’t directly support this, either financially or by providing guidance to schools. Ironically, both the current and previous governments have committed substantial resources to outdoor-based personal development, targeted at social rather than educational objectives. The Labour government launched several large programmes including Uproject. In turn, the National Citizen Service programme is one of the current administration’s flagship priorities. All these programmes have or had residential adventure-based personal development at their heart.

‘There’s no question that outdoor education is a powerful developmental tool’ There is cross-party consensus that it works. At the English Outdoor Council we believe that leaving it until age 16 is too late and that an earlier intervention would have far greater pre-emptive effect. Yet successive governments have resisted creating any form of entitlement within the curriculum in England. In contrast, Scotland’s Curriculum for Excellence through Outdoor Learning provides explicit guidance on outdoor learning and, in Wales, adventurous activities are an integral part of the National Curriculum. There’s no question that outdoor education is a powerful developmental

tool but it’s not a single identifiable subject – more an approach to learning that can be applied across all areas. Perhaps this is why it hasn’t yet been embedded in the curriculum and why there isn’t yet an expectation that all pupils will benefit from the experience. As education professionals, we should challenge the government with the following questions: • Despite the evidence for its powerful developmental impact, outdoor education is still not recognised as part of the formal school curriculum and access is therefore a postcode lottery. Will the government set up a review to consider how the experience could be included in the curriculum? • How can the political enthusiasm for the use of challenging outdoor activities for 16 year olds be channelled into a similar enthusiasm for outdoor education at a younger age? • What steps are the government taking to ensure that those pupils whose parents cannot afford to pay for these activities continue to receive the necessary financial support to ensure they don’t miss out on powerful development opportunities? • How can we ensure that all newlyqualified teachers have the competence to work outside the classroom? At the English Outdoor Council we are committed to lobbying for increased support for our young people. Our aim is to see every child offered the opportunity to take part in high-quality outdoor learning. We work in partnership with the Council for Learning Outside the Classroom as well as carrying out regular campaigns to raise awareness and support. You can find out more at www.englishoutdoorcouncil.org.

A healthier future for our children Ellie Needham Kingswood is proud to support the NHS Change4Life movement. Continued on page 2

The campaign was introduced in January 2009, as part of the Government’s strategy to tackle obesity. Its aim was to promote a healthier lifestyle to parents of children aged 5-11. Since then the movement has grown to include babies, toddlers, teenagers and adults.

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Cont. from page 1 Change4Life is about making small changes that add up to a big difference – helping our children eat well, move more and live longer. It aims to reduce the rates of childhood and adult obesity and lower the risks of associated diseases, such as diabetes. The Change4Life movement focuses on eight key messages and at Kingswood we aim to promote all of them to the young people visiting our centres: SUGAR SWAPS Simple ways to eat less sugar, choosing food and drink that’s sugar free or has no added sugar. At Kingswood we don’t offer fizzy drinks at meal and snack times – our guests drink water, fruit squash and milk. 5 A DAY Smart ways to get even the pickiest children eating more fruit and veg. At Kingswood we encourage young people to try a colourful array of foods – most of our guests even sample the salad bar! MEAL TIME Enjoying three balanced meals each day makes it easier for children to get all the nutrients they need. At Kingswood meals are a fun, sociable affair in our bright, and welcoming canteens SNACK CHECK It’s easy to fill up on fatty, sugary or salty snacks at the expense of healthier foods. At Kingswood we follow the ‘2 Snax Max’ rule, with fruit, low fat yogurt and other healthy options offered. ME SIZE MEALS These days portion control can be out of control. We serve appropriate portions for young people – then if they’re still hungry they’re welcome to come back for seconds. CUT BACK FAT Our menu is full of healthy choices like lean cuts of meat, lots of poultry, fish and vegetables. 60 ACTIVE MINUTES Change4Life encourages young people to enjoy active play for an hour a day. It’s hard not to do that at Kingswood! We have so many fun adventure activities that our guests want to fit in as much as they can. UP AND ABOUT Everyone needs to relax – but not all the time. At Kingswood we encourage young people to take part in our evening entertainment programme, with games, dancing and more to keep us all moving!

Kingswood – even better than before Linda Addy Managing Director Have you noticed anything different about us lately? That’s right – we’ve got a whole new look. It’s all over our brochures and if you’ve been lucky enough to visit our new centre, Dearne Valley, you’ll have seen our new branding across the site there too. There’s still a way to go – work begins on

You can find lots more tips and ideas, plus other ways that you can get involved, at www.nhs.uk/ change4life or by calling 0300 123 3434.* *Calls to 03 numbers should cost no more than geographic 01 or 02 UK-wide calls, and may be part of inclusive minutes subject to your provider and your call package.

@vikkibruff @Kingswood_ thanks for a fantastic residential at Peak Venture. The lovely weather was a bonus!

the website soon and we’ll roll the changes out across our centres over time. But we’re always working hard to improve the overall Kingswood experience, including the look and feel, so we want to make sure we do it properly. Why the changes? Our new ‘crown’ logo, inspired by elements from our existing coat of arms, represents our strong reputation as a trusted provider of educational programmes, as well as our proven history and heritage. This bold and engaging contemporary shape creates a strong and inspirational graphic language to represent us across all mediums.

@Little_Sparra Our view today @Kingswood_ Kids were busy playing Aeroball, me & Mrs T relaxing in the sun :D

‘The brighter tones reflect the energy and dynamism of our adventure activities and outdoor learning opportunities.’

We’ve kept to a palette of natural colours to represent the outdoor environments and spaces at our Kingswood centres, whilst the brighter tones reflect the energy and dynamism of our adventure activities and outdoor

learning opportunities. The transparent, overlapping triangles that create our ‘crown’ symbolise Kingswood’s multi-faceted approach to learning, designed to educate and engage across all levels. Kingswood is a place where all young children can be themselves, celebrated for achieving their full potential. Download our latest brochure at www. kingswood.co.uk/brochure to see our new brand in action. We’d love to know what you think – email us or let us know your thoughts on our Facebook or twitter page. And look out for our exciting new website coming soon!

Find us. facebook.com/Kingswoodcentres

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Promoting Outdoor Education Opportunities for Children to reinforce a positive attitude towards learning. It has also been identified as a support mechanism for children with special education needs. Ofsted acknowledges that children are more focused and settled when involved in this type of environment. A long-term benefit is that it can contribute to modifying children’s behaviour. It enables teachers to provide additional, first-hand, multi-sensory experiences which enhance programmes of studies followed by children and young people in the school setting.

‘Outdoor learning is not constrained by grade indicators or league tables. Its focus is personal development.’

Bill Brown, Josh Rigby and Jake Anders The Education Partnership Outdoor education enables teachers to offer a wide range of experiences which supports learning in the classroom. Through working with others on outdoor activities children are able to develop self-respect, self-discipline and the ability to cope with adversity. In this article, Bill Brown, Chairman of The Education Partnership, takes a brief look at the history, development and current climate of the world of Outdoor Education, whilst exploring its educational and social impact on the child. The beginnings of outdoor education stem from the start of the Scouting and Guiding movements in the early twentieth century. However, at this time, outdoor education was for the most part the domain of the public school, featuring activities such as trips to the Alps. In the 1950s, the Outward Bound Trust pioneered outdoor activities for

young people from the age of fourteen as a means to promote independence, self-awareness and teamwork through strenuous and demanding courses. From this time there was a significant growth in the number of school camps provided by local authorities for children of primary and secondary school age. Examples of this are Whitehough, provided by Lancashire County Council, where generations of children experienced the joy of the outdoor environment, and Colomendy, originally provided by Liverpool City Council and often referred to as ‘the jewel in Liverpool’s crown’, which has provided memorable experiences for the 350,000 children who have stayed at the centre. From the 1960s there was a substantial increase in the provision of outdoor activity centres by local authorities. Alongside this there was an increasing involvement of the charitable trust and commercial sectors, sometimes on a much larger scale than local authority managed facilities. However, in common with other areas of spending, there have been draconian cutbacks in recent years in the provision made by local authorities for outdoor activity centres. Similarly, the number of inspectors and advisors who deal with outdoor education

activities has also been severely reduced. In addition, in order to reduce financial liabilities, some local authorities have disposed of their outdoor activity centres, either by direct sale or through entering into third-party partnerships. These changes within local authorities have meant that many schools are having to look elsewhere for advice. This presents opportunities to national governing bodies, the commercial activity centre sector and charitable trusts with a commitment to outdoor education to fill the gap created by the financial constraints imposed on local authority expenditure. This has resulted in a notable increase in the provision of day and residential courses by charitable trust and commercial operators. As a result, commercial and charitable trust activity centres which provide high-quality experiences for day and residential visitors, and which link directly with the National Curriculum and Scottish Curriculum are in a position to offer their services to schools. This is especially relevant in the context of increasing autonomy for the maintained sector, along with voluntary aided schools and the emerging free schools and academies. Outdoor education allows teachers

The experience of outdoor education can have continuing effects on young people. For the shy child, it often provides an environment which is non-judgemental of their abilities and which measures success not in terms of test results but through internal feedback relating to the experience. This gives children a new sense of freedom and rewards. If a child is set a target of reaching half-way on a climbing wall, and reaches this point, they are likely to feel a full sense of achievement. Outdoor learning is not constrained by grade indicators or league tables. Its focus is personal development. Children from an inner-city background may be apprehensive when faced with the quietness of the outdoor environment. The ability to adjust to a new situation which is so different from their daily experience is an important factor. Children who may show bravado in a school setting may find the experience of being reliant on others while at an outdoor activity centre a transforming experience. Similarly, a new activity may draw a new inner strength from some children. Children with special needs or disabilities in particular may achieve new heights through the experience of outdoor activities and the comradeship these can engender. In order for the potential of outdoor education to be fully harnessed, schools must ensure that all learning at the activity centre is tied in with learning in the classroom so that children can link the two environments and make an easy transition between them. Outdoor education should be regarded as an extension of the classroom rather than as an ‘extra’. This entails that teachers should carefully consider how a visit to an outdoor activity centre will fit in with a scheme of work or programme of study, and consider how it will contribute to the children’s learning. Activities that involve outdoor bush craft

skills, pioneering and even camping are now available, primarily because of the problem solving and team work challenges they present. Some of these activities are more tailored towards personal development, while others are more socially oriented. It is important to plan a balanced programme of activities, so that children are given a broader experience. An activity such as rock climbing can help children to build self-esteem through successful participation and the use of achievable targets. Target setting on this activity also promotes intrinsic motivation, the only reward being a sense of self-fulfilment when children reach their target. This ideal can be further fostered back in the classroom. When abseiling down a wall, children are in control of the abseil rope and thus perceive themselves as being responsible for their own safety, even though the instructor is managing the safety line. This group experience, in which an individual is supported by their peers, can instil great inner confidence. A more social activity such as backwoods cooking can foster new skills and abilities. Children are able to bond through the teamwork required to cook in the outdoors. There are differing roles involved which use different skill sets allowing children of all abilities to be of equal value to the activity. For example, backwoods cooking directly encourages the development of communication skills. With the group needing to work together, roles and responsibilities must be shared equally whist working cooperatively with each other in order for the activity to be a success. All outdoor activities look to promote children’s confidence in their own ability and to promote mutual trust between members of a group with the end result that children are enabled to re-evaluate their own potential as learners. This can empower them with responsibility for their actions. The role of outdoor education in today’s curriculum does seem to have a greater emphasis. Outdoor education has the potential to provide high quality learning which complements the school environment. It offers manageable risks that give children responsibility for their own safety, enabling them to become aware of themselves and others around them. Working with children in an outdoor education centre demands of all staff a high level of knowledge and skill, combined with the dedication and commitment which is a hallmark of this aspect in education. The outdoor education experience, for many children and young people, makes adventure a reality. Bill Brown is Chairman of The Education Partnership, Jake Anders is a policy specialist and Josh Rigby is a research assistant. Please see www. theeducationpartnership.org.uk for further information.

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The rise of free schools Ellie Needham

FOR

By the end of 2013 there will be over 170 free schools across the UK, on top of those existing schools that have converted to academies. What does this mean for the future of our education system?

More choice for parents The Government hopes that free schools will change the education landscape in the same way as the introduction of grammar schools did, with more choice for parents depending on their children’s needs. For example, there will be an increased number of faith schools, and one school is opening for vulnerable groups, such as teenage mothers and those who have been expelled from other schools.

Free schools first appeared prominently on the political radar in the run-up to the general election in 2010 – as the then shadow education secretary Michael Gove’s flagship policy. Once the coalition government was formed, the Academies Act was passed in July 2010. This gave existing academies more freedom and encouraged other schools to apply for academy status. In addition it made provision for new schools to be set up – so called ‘free schools’. These could be formed by groups of parents, teachers, faith or voluntary groups as well as charities, businesses and not-for-profit education providers, such as those already running academies. In September 2011 the first 24 free schools opened their doors, with around 50 new entrants in 2012 and another 102 given the green light for 2013. There will then be one in nearly every local authority, offering 100,000 extra school places. So what does this mean for education in the UK? Will free schools and academies really benefit the majority of pupils? It’s a divisive issue – while there are many free school supporters, others would prefer to see more focus on our existing schools. Let’s take a look at some of the arguments for and against.

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are those who worry that extremist groups may use free schools to push their own beliefs. Not enough money in the pot With spending cuts across education and services for children, there’s a strong argument for focusing resources on existing providers. Enormous amounts of time and money go into setting up a free school, yet they benefit a relatively small number of children. It could prove to be a costly experiment. Quality of education Teachers’ unions are understandably concerned that free schools don’t have to employ qualified teachers. They argue that there’s no substitute for formal training, so the teaching at free schools could well be below par. Yet others say that the reverse is true – there are gifted teachers out there with no appropriate qualifications and it’s the state schools that miss out by not being able to employ them. Either way, it’s not a level playing field.

Improving standards Increased choice should lead to competition, raising standards across the board. Free schools will be subject to the same assessment standards as other schools, undergoing regular Ofsted inspections and having their Sats, GCSE and A-level results published in the league tables. Meeting population demand A third of the newly approved schools set to open in 2013 will be in London where there’s a severe shortage of primary places. In most cases, schools are being set up in response to demand. Yet in Beccles, Suffolk, there were only 37 applicants for 300 places and there is already a choice of good and outstanding schools in the area.

More budget flexibility Free schools receive money directly from the Government, rather than through their local authority. They also have more choice as to how they spend their money, giving them the ability to allocate more funds to music, outdoor learning or sport. They can also set their own pay scale and conditions for teachers.

Giving schools more autonomy Free schools have more choice – from the curriculum they teach to their term dates and hours. This can make them a practical option for working parents. For example, the Norwich Free School is open 8.15am to 5.45pm, six days a week, 51 weeks a year. In addition, free schools can choose to break out of traditional year groups and classes, with some choosing vertical streaming.

A democratic choice Unlike independent schools, free schools cannot be academically selective – they’re part of the standard inclusive state school admissions process. In addition, if a faith school has surplus places, they must admit every child who applies, regardless of religion. If a faith school is oversubscribed they must allow for 50% of places to be given to children regardless of faith.

AGAINST Creating a two tier system Several teachers’ unions are concerned that free schools will damage already weak schools. So far, many applications have come from middle class areas and there is a danger that they may attract higher-performing pupils and teachers, making the alternative state school seem like the second-rate option. Teachers argue that in such cases the money assigned to a free school would be far better spent on improving existing state school provision for every child in the area. Too much freedom Some are afraid that giving so much freedom to faith schools may lead to a fundamentalist agenda. The Government has stipulated that schools must show their curriculum is fair and balanced – so creationism cannot be taught as a scientific theory – but there

A missed opportunity Running schools for profit is a contentious issue – yet there are those who believe that in order for free schools to attain critical mass, this should become the norm, as it has in Sweden’s progressive education system. By not legislating for this, Michael Gove has wasted the opportunity to attract further investment into our schools. In Sweden, education has improved across many deprived areas due to investment from profit-making organisations. And in the UK, with the pupil premium paid to these schools, it could prove an attractive proposition. David Cameron believes that free schools ‘symbolise everything that is good about the revolution that we are bringing to Britain’s schools: choice for parents, power in the hands of teacher, discipline, rigour, high-quality education in areas that are crying out for more good local schools.’ But it’s not enough to merely symbolise. While free schools look good on paper, it remains to be seen whether the execution will prove quite so successful.

Fun and adventure at Peak Venture Norbridge Academy of Worksop visited us at Kingswood Peak Venture earlier this year. To keep parents in the loop, Mr. Bellingham wrote a diary of their visit on the school blog. See what they got up to on their 6 day visit in February: DAY 1 – This week Class 6 and a few children from Class 5 will be enjoying a residential visit to Kingswood, where we will be taking part in a range of exciting adventure activities. Today Group A started out with some rock-climbing while Group B were enjoying archery, before both groups joined together for a mini-Olympics this evening. It is also Alissa’s 11th Birthday so we all tucked into her chocolate cake!

DAY 2 – We are now into our second day away at Kingswood, and are pleased to have found the weather is much warmer today! This morning we have taken on the 35ft climbing wall, negotiated the low ropes and have also been navigating our way around the site during orienteering. This afternoon we have had the opportunity to try out some new activities, including Aeroball, the Leap of Faith, Nightline and a Scrapheap Challenge. Everyone has pushed themselves really hard and have been very brave on the Leap of Faith, and we will certainly all be sleeping well this evening. DAY 3 – Today at Kingswood we have learnt how to Quad Bike, enjoyed a duel in Fencing, made our own computer game during Mission Maker and faced our fears on the 3G Swing. Today was Mr Bellingham’s birthday, so Mr Huthart made sure he had time to go on the terrifying 3G Swing!

DAY 4 – We have had another fantastic day at Kingswood. We started the day with Saving Swampy (where we learnt about the importance of the local woodland), practised our problem solving, and tried out our circus skills on the high balance beam. DAY 5 – Today is our last full day at Kingswood so we have been making the most of the last few activities. Today we have been pretending to be monkeys on the jungle vines, learnt how to abseil, learnt how to solve problems and made our own slideshows of photos. To round of the evening we had a fantastic Karaoke party, where Mr Bellingham and Mr Dougill rolled back the years for a turn! DAY 6 – Today was our last morning at Kingswood before heading back home for the half term holidays. We left straight after lunch, but we still had enough time learn some circus skills and slide down

the zipwire before departing. We have had a fantastic week at Kingswood and the children have been really challenged to grow as young people. We have had the opportunity to experience so many different and exciting activities and have had a lot of fun and laughter along the way. To view the full blog and accompanying photo slideshows, visit www. c6.norbridgeblogs.net/tag/kingswood/. If you are visiting Kingswood and would like your school’s blog to be featured in the next edition of Kingswood News, please contact marketing@kingswood. co.uk for more information. Norbridge Academy visited Kingswood Peak Venture. For more information visit www.kingswood.co.uk/centres/ peak-venture or call 01603 309 993.

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New programmes for Kingswood Matt Healey Head of Education & Training Over the last year Kingswood has been evaluating how and what it delivers to the 145,000 young people that come through our gates every year. Focussing on students and teachers we took the approach ‘What I have learned’ instead of ‘What I have done’, to put together a new portfolio of modules, sessions and programmes that support young people’s formal education. To do this, we concentrated on providing the opportunity to build on interpersonal skills, the ability to relate to others and the chance for young people to explore their relationship with the natural world and

our cultural environment. We strongly believe that learning is most powerful when it involves practical, real-world experiences – and that it’s best retained when it’s fun, engaging and challenges students to explore new experiences. We were excited to find that framing our curriculum in this way allowed us to explore our own culture within Kingswood and consider how best to support our staff as they deliver lifeenhancing experiences. At Kingswood, we enjoy excellent relationships with other notable educational organisations and we also wanted to explore how this crosspollination could influence our delivery. Whether these organisations were large players, statutory funded associations or not for profit entities, we wanted to work with them to make sure our new approach kept young people at the centre of what we offer – that it reflected their needs. The opening of our new centre at Dearne Valley also acted as a catalyst for development. The centre enjoys a range of unique resources and we encouraged the team to explore new delivery methods

ENVIRONMENTAL FIELD STUDIES Open your mind and step outside with four EFS centres in oustanding locations. Courses linked to Scottish & English exam boards covering geography, biology & environmental science fieldwork.

For more information call Kelly MacInnes on 01389 729 898 or visit www.kingswood.co.uk/efs

that would reflect this. We want to give students the ability to process their experiences in a way that enhances and improves their understanding of the world around them.

‘We strongly believe that learning is most powerful when it involves practical, real-world experiences.’ Our new brochure is made up of 27 modules – new adventures and old favourites. It’s designed to enable teachers and students alike to choose a programme that allows their group to achieve the best possible results from their visit. Our modules have been planned to develop young people’s knowledge and abilities, allowing them to transfer enhanced skills back to school. Here’s an example of how the Kingswood experience can accelerate learning – our recently-launched Bushcraft module is proving a roaring success since its introduction at Dearne Valley in June. The module includes knife, fire and foraging skills and has allowed young

people to gain an insight into the natural environment around them. Our specialist Bushcraft instructors have been rewarded by seeing and hearing the change in students’ perceptions of the natural world. Young people start off seeing plants and trees as ‘part of the view’ but by the end of the session they start to see potential cordage, furniture, shelters, healing plants and food. Most importantly, they begin to understand how eco systems rely on a complex web of living things for success and they learn how humans interact with the natural environment. Our Drum Beat module is another great example of ‘Learning by Doing’. It gives students a chance to experience, learn and develop musical rhythm skills. Starting with simple beat-keeping exercises, as the module progresses students experiment with different types of drums and styles of playing, and create a piece of music with their preferred instrument. The module ends with all participants joining together to perform their compositions layered over a set beat, creating a polyrhythmic sensation. Encouraging self-expression in this way can act as a bridge to explore the emotions and

learning that come from the overall Kingswood experience, reinforcing an awareness of others and self. This is an important lesson for young people, helping them develop resilience and selfconfidence in the school environment. Both of these modules are designed to fit into a wider programme of learning, perhaps blending with our University of First Age (UFA) modules. The UFA is one of the UK’s leading organisations for developing and empowering young people as learners. They’re a valued partner of the Kingswood team and have helped us design and deliver highquality learning experiences that young people love. We believe that working in partnership with expert educationalists is a great way for us to remain at the forefront of outdoor learning, constantly striving to raise the standard of these educational opportunities for young people across the UK. To find out more about Kingswood’s new programmes and how we can support your learning needs, please call 01603 309 993 or view our 2012/13 brochure online at www.kingswood.co.uk/brochure .

@swimfranchisor @Kingswood_ I listened to a class of Yr 6 share their best school memories last night - amazing how many featured #Kingswood!

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The Council for Learning Outside the Classroom Annual Conference at Kingswood Dearne Valley -15th November 2012

Raising Attainment through LOtC Victoria Wilcher, CLOtC Network Development Co-ordinator This year, the Council for Learning Outside the Classroom (CLOtC) is delighted to be holding its annual conference, Raising Attainment through LOtC, at Kingswood Dearne Valley. There is a wealth of evidence that learning outside the classroom (LOtC) raises attainment, improves behaviour and supports children of all learning abilities, as well as offering many other benefits for personal, social and emotional development. The conference will focus on research and case studies that demonstrate the positive impact LOtC can have on helping young people achieve their goals. Open to teachers, education professionals, LOtC providers and other stakeholders, this year’s conference is an excellent opportunity for you to develop your understanding and knowledge of LOtC, build practical skills, network with other LOtC professionals and find out how to maximise the benefits of LOtC in your own setting. You will also have the

opportunity to explore Kingswood’s newest centre on the site of the old Earth Centre and previous colliery. Professor Peter Higgins opens the conference CLOtC is very pleased to have secured Peter Higgins, Professor of Outdoor and Environmental Education from the School of Education at the University of Edinburgh, to provide the keynote address at the conference. Professor Higgins has a long and interesting career in outdoor education, and will be sharing his extensive knowledge and enthusiasm for learning outside the classroom with conference delegates. He is a member of national and international advisory groups on outdoor and environmental education and is a national representative on the UNESCO programme to ‘Reorient Teacher Education Towards Sustainable Futures’. He has been an advisor to Ministers and Members of Parliament (Scotland, UK and European Union) on outdoor education, environmental education, access to the countryside and related environmental issues. Practical, engaging workshops The workshop programme at the conference will give delegates practical experience of LOtC, as well as an opportunity to explore more of the Dearne Valley site, as workshops will be taking place both inside and within the grounds of Dearne Valley.

The workshops cover a range of subjects including Learning Science Outside the Classroom by the Institute of Education and Creative Leadership in Early Years Learning by Early Arts. Learning Science Outside the Classroom • Find out how to explain science in context using a range of spaces outside the classroom • Develop your own resources for teaching science outside the classroom In school grounds, industry, parks and museums, science is part of the everyday fabric of our world. You will be able to explore the wealth of learning opportunities outside the classroom that will put science into context and engage your students with the subject. The workshop will look at research that links LOtC experiences with improved outcomes for students, as well as offering suggestions for integrating new media and ICT resources to enrich learning experiences both outdoors and indoors. Participants will use the grounds of Dearne Valley to develop activities based around the principles and ideas introduced. Creative Leadership in Early Years Learning • Find out how creative practice can be used in educational settings to significantly enhance young children’s learning • Increase your confidence in your own creative capacities • Get ideas and inspiration from other

creative and Early Years educators How does the right approach to drawing help bring a child’s communication to life? Why does music have such an impact on language development? Creative approaches can be used to trigger the best possible expression from all children (and teachers and parents too!). The workshop will help build your confidence and skills as leaders of young children’s learning, and expand your capacity for creative thinking in ways that have the most positive impact on learning. There will be tips on preparing for the revised EYFS framework, and practical examples of where young children’s learning has been significantly enhanced through creative interventions. Awards for Outstanding Contribution to LOtC The conference will culminate in a drinks and dinner reception where the winners of the 2012 Awards for Outstanding Contribution to LOtC will be revealed. These awards recognise those individuals and teams of individuals including teachers, campaigners, researchers and champions of LOtC whose work has had a positive impact on the lives of young people. Join us for the evening’s celebrations, support the winners’ successes and hear some inspirational stories. Full details of the conference, speakers, workshops and awards can be found on the LOtC website: www.lotc.org.uk. We hope to see you there!

CLOtC Annual Conference 2012: Raising Attainment through LOtC 15th November 2012 Kingswood Dearne Valley Confirmed Speakers: Professor Peter Higgins University of Edinburgh Peter Carne, OBE Paul Hamlyn Foundation Workshop programme: • Engaging with the natural environment – Outdoor Learning Consultancy • Engaging young people with history – National Coal Mining Museum • Learning science outside the classroom – Institute of Education • Creative leadership in early years learning – Early Arts • Environmental Learning Cards – Nature’s Work • Forest Education Network Prices: £120 – members of the Council for Learning Outside the Classroom £155 – non members Prices for conference dinner and LOtC Awards ceremony: £30 – members of the Council for Learning Outside the Classroom £40 – non-members Booking: To book your place, visit www.lotc.org.uk

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A Day in the Life Brian Kitson, Centre Manager Dearne Valley Life as Centre Manager at Dearne Valley, Kingswood’s newest multi-million pound centre, is never dull. Brian Kitson reveals all. Managing the latest addition to the Kingswood family is a both a privilege and challenge. Situated on a re-developed coal mine, the 50 acre site that opened in March after six months of construction has some very unique features. Every morning on my way into the office I walk through the dining hall to check everything is OK with breakfast and to catch up with teachers. After that it is onto the morning meeting where we review anything from overnight and plan the day ahead. There are lots of daily checks that need to happen including things like making sure the Living Machine is operational. The Living Machine is our very own on-site water and sewage re-cycling plant. All the

toilets are connected to it and we have a vacuum system that flushes waste at 60 metres per second – we obviously can’t afford for things like that to go wrong! Once I am happy that everything is functioning it is then on to attend the instructors meeting. Our instructional team is at the heart of what we do. Our fantastic facilities are nothing without their energy and enthusiasm. The meeting sets the tone for the day where we discuss how to meet the educational objectives of the groups on centre.

‘I love getting feedback about the impact that our programmes have on the young people that visit us.’ After a quick coffee (the first of many!) I will catch up with paperwork and e-mails before getting out and about around site. The favourite part of my day is catching up with teachers and the young people that are using the centre. The only way we can get better is if we listen to feedback from the guests

that use the centre. I have really seen it evolve since we have opened and as a staff team, we have evolved with it. I love getting feedback about the impact that our programmes have on the young people that visit us. Due to the size of the site, just walking around can take an hour – it is great for keeping fit, especially when the sun is shining. A lot of my time is taken up with planning for the future. There are lots of areas that we are looking to develop including our terraced garden, environmental programmes, watersports and incorporating the historical and geographical significance of the site into the sessions that are delivered. At the end of the day I like to check that the evening activities are planned and all the guests are happy before handing over to our night duty team. As I am driving out the gates I often remind myself how lucky I am to work on such an amazing centre with a staff team that really does make a difference. For more information on Dearne Valley visit www.kingswood.co.uk/centres/ dearne-valley. To arrange a preview please call 01709 771 010.

Above: Brian Kitson, Centre Manager, Dearne Valley

Meet my team CHRIS GARSDEN Assistant Centre Manager

“For me the best part of the job is the diversity, no one day is the same. I enjoy the challenge of centre management in dealing with guests, instructors and the running of a class-leading outdoor education centre.” CHRISSIE RUSSELL Guest Services Manager

“One experience that really stands out in my mind is a young autistic student who came with a carer. Having been informed that he would not be able to participate in many of the activities, I went on to witness him not only climb the pole but jump to the trapeze then lower himself all under the direction of one of our instructors. It was truly an emotional moment as everyone stopped what they were doing and cheered him on. There was not one dry eye, all the party leaders and students were all touched by his determination. TOM DELANEY Business Development Coordinator

DOOR TO DOOR

- we’ll get you there!

Let us make your visit to a Kingswood centre hassle free with safe and affordable travel to the centre of your choice. For the complete package, get a transport quote from Britannia Coach Services today. • Friendly and personal service from Kingswood’s preferred coach suppliers • Competitive rates • All coaches fitted with BSI approved seatbelts and follow LEA procedures & regulations

CALL US ON 01603 309373 FOR A NO-OBLIGATION QUOTE

“One of the greatest benefits for students visiting Dearne Valley is the vast amount of experience and educational benefits they’ll receive during their visit, whilst having the chance to explore the natural world. When I know that the children have had a fantastic experience, it is extremely fulfilling.”

TRIONA JOHNSTON Senior Instructor

“The chance to deliver to groups and influence their stay, making memories and highlighting achievements is something I relish about my job. It’s so rewarding to see groups gain more and more confidence as their week progresses, and take away life skills to give them a greater step towards their future.” DAVE JONES Level 4 Instructor

“My most rewarding moments are seeing the skills we are trying to impart onto the young people that visit us sink in and seeing them ‘get it’; seeing the difference it makes to the way they approach tasks and challenges and how it changes how they interact with and support others.” BEAU HANSELL Level 2 Instructor

“The quick and inevitable progression throughout the week from the ‘I can’t be bothered’ attitude to being fully engaged is something I love seeing in student groups.” LAURA ASHLEY Cook

“The best thing about my job is working with a great team, meeting different people and that no day is the same. I like the challenges it throws at me.”

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KINGSWOOD.CO.UK

A language for learning Lisa Cooper Two weeks after completing the Transforming Learning course delivered by the University of the First Age (UFA), I had the ‘Aha’ moment.

These boots are made for walking Ewan Carr, Centre Manager Colomendy Just a stone’s throw away from Moel Famau, the Clwydian Range’s highest peak, our Kingswood Colomendy centre is a perfect base to explore this spectacular region. Centre Manager and outdoor enthusiast Ewan Carr reveals what makes an excursion out onto the hills such an attractive prospect. On the 29th November 2011 I scaled Moel Famau, following in the footsteps of countless visitors to the Colomendy Centre. The sun shone, the rain fell, my

co-walkers both fell over in comedy style and I received an education. I had walked up hills before, in fact I consider it a hobby, albeit it one not well exercised. I had even walked Moel Famau before, in balmy July conditions several years previously. I had marvelled at the view, napped peacefully in the summer afternoon sunshine and puzzled over the enigma of the Jubilee Tower. But in common with many hillwalkers, I had not taken the time to scratch the surface of the area’s history, natural or human. And the history is fascinating. Stories of smuggling and gold mines, wartime espionage and disappearing rivers, mating rituals and etymology (look it up!). Do you know what a Ha Ha is? Do you know the cultural link between a French Gite and a Welsh Long Cottage? Do you know how many tonnes of stone go into each yard of dry stone wall? All day I was guided by a knowledgeable and amiable guide from my centre, regaled with facts and figures, story and myth, painting a picture of an

area steeped in history, unpicking the landscape thread by thread to show its innermost workings.

‘The history is fascinating. Stories of smuggling and gold mines, wartime espionage and disappearing rivers...’ For years Colomendy Centre had guided children on this walk before the age of risk assessment brought about a hiatus while we battled with a way to conduct the walk in safety whilst not removing its magic. From this autumn Colomendy Centre will once again scale the heights to take in views of Snowdonia, blow the cobwebs away and perhaps educate a little along the way. For more information about the Moel Famau walks or what’s on offer at our Colomendy centre please call Ewan Carr on 01352 811 000.

I had come away from the week-long course, held in the inspiring surroundings of Kingswood Dearne Valley, overwhelmed with new ideas. It was a huge amount of brand new information for me but having always pictured my brain as a giant sponge, my copious thirst for learning had been briefly sated. I gained an understanding of the UFA Core Principles, an insight into the psychology of learning and a bursting toolbox of energisers, icebreakers and review techniques. At first it was quite a daunting task to consider how Kingswood envisioned the theories and concepts being integrated into the company’s developing practices. There was a great deal of reflection required. As I had been so captivated by the presentations of research on the brain and its reactions, I wasted no time in ordering the books that influenced the course content. I downloaded the Kindle edition of ‘The Success Zone’ (Mowat, Corrigan and Long, 2010) so I could get stuck in and it was while reading this that the light bulb came on. I reached the part of the book that talked of how to control the red zone and activate the blue zone in our selves and others. Having looked at the principles of fixed vs. growth mindsets during the course, I connected the two with existing learning styles training at Kingswood. It was then that I realised how language was the central thread running through all these concepts. The UFA has started me on a journey to discover a world of fulfilling personal growth. It has given me an opportunity to understand my own potential as limitless and how I can assist others with their development. I became aware of my impact on those around me and it added an extra dimension to the Leadership & Management degree I am currently studying through the Open University.

What this means for Kingswood is now clear. We can create an appreciative and nurturing learning environment through our conscious use of positive language.

‘It’s an exciting time for Kingswood and the UFA’s values support their direction perfectly.’ As a management team it is our responsibility to model the way, to inspire others with our vision. Using the theories and concepts from the course, we can all become aware of our language, ensuring we create a positive environment for growth. By applying these principles to our internal learners, they will cascade down to our guest learners, providing an environment of immersive learning. Kingswood has already established key elements to transform the professionalism and aspirations of the entire staff team. By creating a catalogue of continuous personal development courses, a programme standards committee to enrich the activities and working with outstanding organisations such as UFA and Institute for Outdoor Learning, we have the support in place to deliver excellence in outdoor education. When the company announced its brand repositioning to the management team last December, like many others, my fire was stoked. I had quickly become aware of a shift in culture when I joined the company in May 2011 but now I can see the full extent of what they want to achieve. It’s an exciting time for Kingswood and the UFA’s values support their direction perfectly, providing a course for enhancing learning outcomes in all we do. The UFA brings to the programme delivery team a sense of ownership and responsibility for creating in-depth session reviews. But it also provides an understanding of the nurturing language that can be used across the centre, from the Kitchen Assistant serving lunch to the Guest Services Manager speaking with teachers. Because we are all learning, we have an unknowable potential and regardless of our role, we can all learn from each other.

TRANSITION With a focus on fresh starts, better teamwork and new friendships, this module helps young people as they prepare to make a transition in their learning journey. · Helps accelerate the ‘settling in’ period when starting a new school or year · Exciting blend of adventure activities, problem solving and team challenges. · Programme tailored to suit your individual needs. · Open to all year groups

Available at our Colomendy, Dearne Valley, Dukeshouse Wood, Grosvenor Hall, Isle of Wight and Overstrand centres.

To book a Transition course for your school, call Lisa Barratt on 01379 854 503 or visit www.kingswood.co.uk. “The trip exceeded all of our expectations and has resulted in a really positive impact back in the classroom and amongst Year 7.” Stuart Abbott, Aylesford School Sports College.

AUTUMN NEWS 2012 | 9

KINGSWOOD.CO.UK

KINGSWOOD WALL PLANNER 2012/13 Turn over, and start planning your year with our Kingswood wall planner

kingswood.co.uk

SEPTEMBER

OCTOBER

NOVEMBER

DECEMBER

JANUARY

FEBRUARY

MONDAY

TUESDAY

1 New Year’s Day

WEDNESDAY

THURSDAY

4 National poetry day

1 All Saint’s Day

FRIDAY

5 World teacher day

SATURDAY

SUNDAY

MONDAY

3 New school year!

5 Guy Fawkes Night

7 Spring Term starts!

TUESDAY

WEDNESDAY

THURSDAY

FRIDAY

SATURDAY

8 International literacy day

SUNDAY

11 Remembrance Sunday

10 Chinese New Year

MONDAY

TUESDAY

12 Shrove Tuesday

WEDNESDAY

THURSDAY

14 Valentine’s Day

FRIDAY

16 Children in Need

SATURDAY

SUNDAY

MONDAY

18 Spring Half Term!

TUESDAY

WEDNESDAY

THURSDAY

FRIDAY

25 Burns Night

SATURDAY

22 Christmas holidays!

SUNDAY

28 British Summer ends

MONDAY

29 Autumn half term!

TUESDAY

25 Christmas Day

WEDNESDAY

31 Halloween

26 Boxing Day

THURSDAY

FRIDAY

SATURDAY

SUNDAY

MONDAY

Wall planner 2012/13 MARCH

APRIL

MAY

JUNE

JULY

AUGUST

MONDAY

1 Easter Monday

TUESDAY

WEDNESDAY

THURSDAY

FRIDAY

SATURDAY

SUNDAY

MONDAY

6 May Bank Holiday

TUESDAY

WEDNESDAY

THURSDAY

FRIDAY

SATURDAY

SUNDAY

10 Mother’s Day

MONDAY

15 Summer Term starts!

TUESDAY

WEDNESDAY

THURSDAY

FRIDAY

SATURDAY

SUNDAY

16 Father’s Day

MONDAY

TUESDAY

WEDNESDAY

24 Summer Holidays start!

THURSDAY

FRIDAY

SATURDAY

SUNDAY

MONDAY

27 Late May Bank Holiday

26 Summer Bank Holiday

TUESDAY

28 Summer Half Term!

WEDNESDAY

THURSDAY

28 Easter holidays start!

FRIDAY

29 Good Friday

SATURDAY

SUNDAY

31 British Summer begins

MONDAY

kingswood.co.uk

12 | AUTUMN NEWS 2012

KINGSWOOD.CO.UK

Kingswood Autumn offers

Offer 1

AUTUMN ICT OFFER FROM £69 Get the new school year off to an actionpacked start with our fantastic autumn mini-breaks offer. Valid for visits from 31st October to the 15th November at all of our Kingswood centres, our ever popular ICT module is the ideal way to develop new skills, explore exciting topics and have fun all at the same time. With prices as low as £69 per child for weekend stays and from £129 for four night mid-week breaks*, there has never been a better time to discover Kingswood.

Offer 2

FREE TRANSPORT Between 1st March 2013 and 30th April 2013, travel in style with Britannia Coach Services who are offering completely FREE transport to and from our Kingswood centres.*

Offer 4

Offer 5

£30 PER NIGHT REVISION WEEKENDS WEEKENDS STUDENT OFFER FROM £45 REWARD

WATERSPORTS

From just £35 per night*, our Watersports Weekends are an opportunity not to be missed. From raft building to kayaking, Watersports Weekends give students the perfect opportunity to try something a little bit different, as well as build water confidence, practice teamwork and discover new hobbies.

Give your students the best chance to succeed in their exams with a dedicated revision weekend. From just £45 per child*, and including two nights accommodation and board, classroom provision and one evening activity, a revision weekend is the perfect opportunity to combine study with fun.

POSTER AD

To take advantage of this fantastic offer, call Debra Rowntree on 0191 212 2312 quoting ‘FREETRANS 13’ or visit www.kingswood.co.uk/autumnoffers

And who says all the fun has to happen at the weekends? New to 2012-13, we now offer two night mid-week Watersports adventures.

Call Viv Morgan on 0151 428 4264 quoting ‘REVISE 13’ or visit www.kingswood.co.uk/autumnoffers to book your places now.

To find out more call Sharon Bartholomew on 01304 852896 quoting ‘WATER 13’ or visit www.kingswood.co.uk/autumnoffers

Call Christine Wells on 0113 258 4287 quoting ‘TRANS 13’ or visit www.kingswood.co.uk/autumnoffers to book your trip today - but hurry, this fantastic offer closes soon.

Terms and conditions Prices from £69 per child for weekend visits (Friday – Sunday) and from £129 per child for four night stays (Monday-Friday). Available at all centres from Wednesday 31st October 2012 to Thursday 15th November 2012. Minimum group size of ten children booked onto ICT module. Bookings must be made by 6pm on Friday 28th September 2012. Not available in conjunction with any other offer. Cannot be used retrospectively or applied to existing bookings. Subject to availability and our standard booking terms & conditions which can be found at www.kingswood.co.uk.

Offer 3

WEEKENDS In association with Camp Beaumont, Kingswood is now offering Reward Weekends. The perfect way to say ‘thank you’ to your students for all their hard work, while still giving them the chance to learn more. These weekends can be as action-packed or as easy-going as you like, with all our usual adventure activities on offer as well as some fun free extras such as a prom-style disco and celebratory buffet. To celebrate the launch of the Reward weekends, we are offering a great £30 per night offer*. So don’t miss out – call Sonya Ward on 01986 781384 quoting ‘REWARD 13’ or visit www.kingswood.co.uk/autumnoffers

Terms and conditions Only available within 2 hours travel time from the Kingswood centre.. Includes ferry and coach transport. Minimum group size of thirty children staying for a minimum of two nights. Book before 6pm on Wednesday 31st October 2012 for arrival on centre from 1st March 2013 to 30th April 2013. Not available in conjunction with any other offer. Cannot be used retrospectively or applied to existing bookings. Subject to availability and our standard booking terms & conditions which can be found at www.kingswood.co.uk.

Terms and conditions Prices from £35 per child per night (Friday – Sunday). Available at our Peak Venture, Colomendy and Isle of Wight centres for arrival from Friday 1st March 2013 to Friday 31st May 2013. Minimum group size of ten children. Bookings must be made by 6pm on Friday 30th November 2012. Not available in conjunction with any other offer. Cannot be used retrospectively or applied to existing bookings. Subject to availability and our standard booking terms & conditions which can be found at www.kingswood.co.uk.

Terms and conditions Prices from £45 per child. Available at all centres, price includes two nights accommodation (Fri & Sat), full board and one evening activity. Valid for arrival dates from Friday 1st February 2013 to Monday 13th May 2013. Minimum group size of twenty children. Bookings must be made by 6pm on Friday 30th November 2012. Not available in conjunction with any other offer. Cannot be used retrospectively or applied to existing bookings. Subject to availability and our standard booking terms & conditions which can be found at www.kingswood.co.uk.

Terms and conditions Prices from £30 per child per night, minimum stay two nights. Available at all centres, includes two nights accommodation (Fri & Sat), full board, Adventure Choice programme and inclusion of disco and celebration buffet. Valid for arrival dates from Friday 5th April 2013 to Monday 29th July 2013. Minimum group size of twenty children. Bookings must be made by 6pm on Monday 31st December 2012. Not available in conjunction with any other offer. Cannot be used retrospectively or applied to existing bookings. Subject to availability and our standard booking terms & conditions which can be found at www.kingswood.co.uk.

AUTUMN NEWS 2012 | 13

KINGSWOOD.CO.UK

Centre facility upgrades As you can see, there’s no summer break for our Property and Procurement team. They have been working across all of our UK sites, with an extensive programme of developments and upgrades, all ready to start welcoming the first schools back in September.

DUKESHOUSE WOOD • Major reroofing works to all guest accommodation blocks. • Upgrade of all en-suite shower units. • Provision of new kitchen equipment. • Upgrade of heating systems to accommodation blocks.

WEST RUNTON

• Installation of a new 10 piece Problem Solving course on the main field. • Refurbishment of the classrooms, including decoration to the new Kingswood colour scheme and new furniture. • Refurbishment of the teacher’s retreat with new sofas and flooring. • Replacement boiler for the main building and ICT block, providing greater green credentials. • Refurbishment and upgrade of the outdoor climbing wall. • Refurbishment and decoration of all guest and staff facilities.

PEAK VENTURE

• Installation of a new heating and hot water system, providing greater green credentials.

EDINBURGH

NEWCASTLE

NEW

DEARNE VALLEY

Our brand new, flagship, eco friendly centre opened in March 2012!

OVERSTRAND HALL

• Refurbishment and decoration of all guest and staff facilities. • Provision of further facilities for those with disabilities within the guest accommodation.

MANCHESTER

COLOMENDY

• Major refurbishment of the training facilities. • Refurbishment and decoration of all guest and staff facilities.

BIRMINGHAM CAMBRIDGE

GROSVENOR HALL

• Upgrade of all mechanical and electrical systems. LONDON

STAFFORDSHIRE

• Refurbishment of the main ICT block including a new curtain walling system. • Refurbishment and decoration of all guest and staff facilities.

SOUTHAMPTON

ISLE OF WIGHT

• Refurbishment and decoration of all guest and staff facilities. • Repair and refurbishment of the ICT block.

Free teacher previews Ever wondered what a visit to Kingswood is like? Want to check us out before you decide? Come along for a sneak peak and experience for yourself just how much Kingswood has to offer. See our centres in action for yourself, have a go at the most popular activities, and get a feel for what a visit would really be like for your school. Our preview visits are always very popular so please call 01603 309 993 to book your place and avoid any disappointment. If you can’t make any of the dates listed, just give us a call and we can arrange a visit at a time to suit you. We are also happy to work with teachers and staff on Inset days, providing a place to meet, review, train and take part in activities. Call Kelly MacInnes on 01389 729 898 to find out more.

Teacher Preview Dates* COLOMENDY 27 October 2012 27 April 2013

GROSVENOR HALL 20 October 2012 27 April 2013

PEAK VENTURE 20 October 2012 10 March 2013

DEARNE VALLEY 20 October 2012 10 March 2013

ISLE OF WIGHT 13 October 2012 3 March 2013

STAFFORDSHIRE 20 October 2012 3 March 2013

DUKESHOUSE WOOD OVERSTRAND HALL 13 October 2012 27 October 2012 3 March 2013 20 April 2013 *Please note that all dates are subject to change.

WEST RUNTON 27 October 2012 20 April 2013

CHATEAU DE CHANTEREINE 20-21 October 2012 23-24 March 2013

14 | AUTUMN NEWS 2012

KINGSWOOD.CO.UK

Q&A with the National Trust’s Elite Ranger: the ‘Bug Catcher’.

Above: Laura Broadhurst, Bug Catcher

Rediscovering nature’s playground Alex Hunt Assistant Director of External Affairs, National Trust When thinking about kids and nature there is always a real temptation to think back to the good old days. It’s likely that you’ll remember a moment when something got you hooked on nature and had the power to move you and create a real sense of wonder. We all fondly remember the hours spent collecting conkers, splashing about in streams or building dens; going on adventures with our friends where our imagination could run riot. As long as we were home by tea time then our parents would be happy. A report published by the National Trust, called ‘natural childhood’, provides compelling evidence that kids today are missing out on these experiences. Academic research and a steady stream of surveys have all shown that in one generation there has

been a dramatic decline in children connecting with nature. Fewer than a quarter of children regularly use their local ‘patch of nature’, compared to over half of all adults when they were children. Less than ten per cent of kids play in wild places today; down from fifty per cent a generation ago. Children spend so little time outdoors that they are unfamiliar with some of our most common wild creatures. According to a 2008 National Trust survey, one in three could not identify a magpie; half could not tell the difference between a bee and a wasp; yet nine out of ten could recognise a Dalek. As the US based writer Richard Louv says: “For a new generation, nature is more abstraction than reality. Increasingly, nature is something to watch, to consume, to wear – to ignore.” This isn’t purely down to digital distractions. Traffic, health and safety, fears of “stranger danger” and changing attitudes have all contributed to the decrease in time that kids spent outdoors. Things that we would have taken as normal behaviour have become the exception. When we see kids now playing in the outdoors we have our suspicions that they might be up to something. Half of all kids have been stopped by their parents from climbing trees and twenty per cent of children are not allowed to

play conkers. And this isn’t a simple town versus countryside issue either; the disconnection is as common in the countryside as in urban areas. Research clearly shows that twelve is the magic number. Get kids hooked on the outdoors and you’ve got them interested in the environment for life. If you don’t then we’re creating a whole generation ill at ease with the natural world around them. But it’s not all doom and gloom. Parents, grandparents, teachers, health professionals, conservationists, social commentators and politicians from all across the political spectrum agree that something needs to be done. In response, the National Trust have started a nationwide campaign to encourage sofa-bound children to take to the outdoors and enjoy classic adventures from skimming stones to building dens. The charity’s 50 Things to do before you’re 11¾ campaign provides a checklist for under-12s (and those who are young at heart) including everything from running around in the rain and bug hunting, to setting up a snail race, damming a stream, flying a kite and making a (delicious) mud pie. To help bring to life these simple pleasures, the Trust has formed a group of Elite Rangers who will share their expert tips on enjoying outdoor adventures and their enthusiasm for encouraging children to play alfresco.

Kingswood News caught up with one of the National Trust rangers, minibeast expert the “Bug Catcher” (known out-of-hours as Laura Broadhurst) to get the latest ‘buzz’ on the campaign. How did you come to end up with the ‘Bug Catcher’ moniker? I guess I was chosen as an Elite Ranger because of the work I do with children and families, introducing them to outdoor activities and encouraging them to explore and discover the natural world together. One of my favourite activities to do with children is bug hunting, it’s something they can all do, it really captures their imaginations and it’s great to see children who are initially quite unsure of insects open up and become confident and fascinated by them. What were your inspirations behind getting directly involved in the campaign? I’m really passionate about families learning and playing together. I think that so many parents don’t encourage their children to play outdoors and do the things they did, because they’re not sure that it’s ‘allowed’ anymore. This campaign is fantastic because it gives families permission to go and build dens in our woods and climb our trees. Also for those people who are a little less confident there are handy hints and tips about how to do all the activities. I love that although it’s aimed at children it really appeals to all ages. The media’s response to the campaign has been huge. What has it been like being at the centre of the campaign? It’s been really exciting. It’s a subject that’s so close to my heart and for me

to have the opportunity to talk to so many people about it has been a real privilege. I think for me the best thing was seeing how much the media, and as a consequence the general public, were enthused by the campaign. How successful has the campaign been at getting kids outdoors - have you noticed any changes for the better? I’ve seen lots of families coming along to my properties clutching their 50 Things Scrapbooks and proudly telling me which of the activities they’ve done. Over the summer all of our events have featured a different 50 Things challenge and they have been hugely popular, with families coming back each week to tick another thing off the list. What is next in store for the Elite Rangers? We’ll be continuing to work with families to encourage them to get outdoors, get their hands dirty and enjoy nature. Personally I’m very excited about a project that I’m working on at Kinver Edge, where I’ve worked with local school children to design a natural play trail. It will contain a storytelling area, adventure play area, maze, sensory play area and den building zone, all made from natural materials and built with help from local families. We plan to open the trail on the 15th September. Lastly, any hot tips for budding bug-catchers out there? I always tell people to make the most of their senses, bugs are often small and well camouflaged so you really need to look closely at things to spot them. The best place to look for bugs is underneath logs or pieces of bark. They like the warmth and often hibernate in winter so do your bug hunting in the right season and try to leave it until late morning, early afternoon when the ground has had time to warm up a bit. Finally lots of people put bugs into little pots and carry them off with them, remember that you’ve picked that bug up from its home and you really ought to put it back in the same place. To find out more about the National Trust’s 50 Things campaign or see how you can get involved visit www.50things.org.uk.

KINGSWOOD.CO.UK

Taking Maths Further:

AUTUMN NEWS 2012 | 15

STS Travel Launches New Maths Fieldtrips Freddie Powell-Tuck Our sister company and Britain’s longest established school tour operator, STS Travel has recently launched a brand-new range of mathsbased fieldtrips. All their tours offer out-of-classroom learning in a core subject that has, until now, been largely neglected on school trip agendas.

Conquering the fear Arati Suryawanshi, Resource Person Beyond Books India I thank “Beyond Books” from the bottom of my heart for giving me an opportunity to spend ten wonderful memorable days of my life with forty one students from across India at Kingswood Colomendy in North Wales. “Beyond Books India” is an experiential learning initiative aimed at ‘bringing textbooks to life’ for children via tours and programmes. I was with the group as a psychologist and resource person. As I have an international certification with 6 Seconds EQ California, I connected our programme requirements with the 6 Seconds EQ wheel model www.6seconds.org (i.e. what, how and why). It was a pleasant surprise to find that the philosophy of Kingswood education very much matches with this wheel model. The program designed by Kingswood also

matched another learning process of 6 Seconds – the EAR methodology (engage, activate and reflect). What does a leader need to become successful in life? I feel that they should be ready to take risks and keep enough faith in people while taking these risks. I observed both these things with all the students because every activity was a risk which required tremendous mental toughness, faith in the equipment and in the Kingswood staff. I really liked it when a Kingswood facilitator said, “harness yourself with the harness”, and introduced the activities using the ‘challenge by choice’ methodology. In their stay, the young people took part in thirty nine activities in total and they could complete all except one. Amongst the group, most could complete all the adventure activities, and the rest at least attempted them. Jacobs Ladder, raft building and bouldering were the toughest activities for them. I saw a big change in the children when they completed tough activities, such as the Zip Wire and the 3G swing, successfully. After completing these they did the rest of the activities as if they were ‘Mowglis of the jungle’. So why should young people do this kind of camp? Is it because they want careers in sports? Or perhaps they want

to become an acrobat or work in a circus? Of course not. They should do it because it achieves a LOT. I felt students gained in the following areas: 1. First and foremost - conquering fear. 2. Confidence. 3. Taking the initiative. 4. Inspiring others. 5. Perseverance. 6. Taking risks and keeping complete faith in the teaching/learning process. 7. Listening carefully. 8. Implementing what is learned. 9. Co-operation. 10. Respecting other languages, cultures and food. 11. Maintaining positive vibes. 12. Accepting challenges and overcoming weaknesses. 13. Co-ordination and team-work. To overcome fear, one has to experience that fear. To try to deal with what options he or she has, and select according to the suitability of that situation: conquering the fear by embracing it, and then by letting it go. I learned that both techniques are wonderfully useful – the unique balance to achieve success. What an experience! Hats off to all the students, Beyond Books, and the staff at Kingswood, especially the trainers who trained them.

With ten new destinations on offer, maths students could soon find themselves investigating geometry at the Sagrada Familia in Barcelona, stepping inside New York’s brand-new MoMath museum or solving the ‘wobbling problem’ on London’s Millenium Bridge, amongst other activities which will help to bridge the gap between classroom learning and real-life application of maths. Trip itineraries have been developed by collaborating with Heads of Maths Departments from schools across the UK, to identify key learning outcomes. “We are committed to offering engaging activities that appeal directly to National Curriculum requirements”, explains Carol Bolger, STS Spokesperson. “Our new maths trips seek to enhance pupil learning and support teachers by offering a broad scope of curriculum opportunities that can’t easily be offered within a classroom setting”. This new opportunity for out-ofclassroom learning has been welcomed by maths teachers across the key stages. ”Targeted fieldtrips can really engage young people and help them to recognise the exciting role of maths within the real world, allowing them to make better informed decisions as to whether they should study the subject for their future careers”, explains Fiona McMahon, a Maths Teacher at Peacehaven

Community School in East Sussex. Teachers have long been aware of the fundamental role that out-of-classroom learning plays in education, but this opportunity has only recently been extended to mathematics. Elaine Skates, speaking on behalf of the Council for Learning Outside the Classroom (CLOtC), comments that: “Learning outside the classroom enables children to apply what they have learnt inside the classroom to real-life situations, and there is a wealth of evidence demonstrating that LOtC raises attainment across all areas of the curriculum, including mathematics”. The launch of the new trips complements a recent upsurge in the popularity of maths at A-level. Between 2002 and 2010, the uptake of maths rose by more than 40 per cent, to become one of the UK’s most popular A-level options; A-level figures for maths are now amongst the highest they have been in the past 10 years.

‘Mathematicians can solve fundamental questions and provide solutions to some of the biggest questions on Earth’ Many attribute this boom to ‘the Brian Cox effect’ - the scientist who has inspired students through his real-life application of Mathematics and Physics, in the BBC series The Wonders of the Universe. “This enthusiasm for living maths is something that we aim to appeal to”, explains Carol. “The realisation that mathematicians can solve fundamental questions and provide solutions to some of the biggest questions on Earth has taken the UK by storm, and we want to allow young people to become actively involved in this movement”. For further information on Maths School Trips visit www.ststravel.co.uk call 0870 240 6828 or email sales@ststravel.co.uk.

WIN

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KINGSWOOD.CO.UK

WIN a trip to Kingswood! To celebrate the launch of our exciting new modules in September, Kingswood is giving away a FREE all-inclusive weekend school-trip to any of our nine UK centres. This thrilling mini-break is the perfect opportunity to try our new and exciting modules including Bushcraft. Perfect for the wannabe explorer out there, Bushcraft teaches young people a wide range of skills necessary to survive in a wilderness scenario such as constructing shelters and building campfires. If mucking out in the great outdoors isn’t your cup of tea, there are a whole host of other options available including our wildly popular Adventure Choice module and exhilarating Watersports weekends. To be in with a chance of winning the school trip of a lifetime, simply visit www.kingswood.co.uk/win-a-weekend and let us know which outdoor education providers you usually use, where you go and why, and you’ll be entered into the prize draw. Entries must be received by Friday 30th November 2012 to be entered into our prize draw. TERMS AND CONDITIONS APPLY. Prize is for any weekend at any centre, subject to availability, including two nights accommodation, full board, activities, instruction and travel. Free transport will be provided by Britannia Coach Services up to the value of £1000. Maximum group size of 35 children aged 7-17 with up to four accompanying adults. Please see www.kingswood.co.uk/win-a-weekend for full terms and conditions.

Y K O O P S Y L S U IO R SE HALF-TERM OISFOFCETORBESR AT CAMP BEAUMONT TH

R MULTI-AC TIVITY* FO NIGHTS AT

JUST £219 THE ISLAND EAKS

SHORT MULTI-AC TIVITY BR

FROM JUST £149

* -WED, 3 NIGHTS WED-SAT) (4 NIGHTS, MON-FRI OR SAT

The Island centre will be transformed into the Halloween holiday destination of choice this October half term. Combining the thrill and adventure of our Multi-Activity package with a whole host of Halloween related fun and games, this’ll be a holiday your child won’t forget in a hurry. With four night breaks from as low as £149, there’s never been a better time to book so call our friendly team today on 01603 309 994. Camp Beaumont offers the ultimate activity holiday out of term-time - a chance to tackle exhilarating challenges, discover new hobbies and try something a little bit different every day. From climbing, swimming and watersports to football, street dance and tennis, we offer more excitement, games and round-the-clock action than you ever thought possible!

CALL US TODAY ON 01603 309 994 OR V ISIT WWW.CAMPBEAUM ONT.CO.UK /SPOOKY -OFFERS

*Terms & Conditions apply. Bookings must be made and confirmed before 6pm Wednesday 24th October. Not to be used in conjunction with any other offer. Cannot be used retrospectively or applied to existing bookings. Offer only available at The Island from Saturday 27th October 2012 to Sunday 4th November 2012 and subject to availability. Escorted travel can only be provided on Saturdays. For full Terms & Conditions please see our website at www.campbeaumont.co.uk/spooky-offers.

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KINGSWOOD.CO.UK

An Outside of the Classroom woodland adventure DISCOVER THE WONDERS OF THE NORTH For those looking to spend time at the Dukeshouse Wood residential activity centre, there are certainly plenty of exciting excursions for visitors to enjoy. In fact Northumberland offers some of the most beautiful countryside and iconic historic sites in England, including historical Roman Forts, the bustling market town of Hexham (complete with an abbey, two medieval towers, Hexham Old Gaol and a moot hall) and plenty of museums and castles too.

Rachel Henwood Set in 18-acres of unspoilt countryside, yet still easily accessible for schools across Scotland and the north of England, Dukeshouse Wood - located just outside Hexham in Northumberland - offers young people an ideal opportunity to enjoy the best of rural living and all of the resulting study opportunities that this unique ‘learning outside the classroom’ experience has to offer. Boasting a host of ‘home from home’ amenities, this fully secure centre offers comfortable, refurbished accommodation (including separate dorms for boys and girls, 6 disabled rooms with en-suite wet rooms and teacher rooms nearby), excellent dining facilities providing plenty of healthy, freshly cooked food, and space to relax and enjoy the nightly entertainment. Outstanding sporting and outdoor facilities, including a recently upgraded adventure park and an 8,000 sq. ft. indoor activity hall, allow for an exciting range of high-octane activities, from the thrill of the high ropes, 3G swing and Leap of Faith to the challenge of various team-building and problem solving sessions. But inspiring adventure activities aside, what really makes Dukeshouse Wood special - and the ideal

environment in which to support a young person’s formal education - is Kingswood’s ‘learning by doing’ philosophy and their commitment to helping every visitor develop key skills, build their confidence and really grow as individuals too. With a choice of first-class indoor and outdoor study environments on offer, including excellent ICT facilities for all-weather study, Outside of the Classroom creative learning is certainly at it’s very best at Dukeshouse Wood, with young people being inspired and engaged in a way that would otherwise be hard to achieve within an everyday classroom setting. Working alongside leading educational organisations and specialists, all modules and sessions from Arts & Culture, UFA, Bushcraft, and Environmental studies, to ICT, interaction and English in Action – are regularly revised and developed to ensure they continue to meet all curriculum guidelines and remain relevant and of interest to young people today. All programmes and adventure activities offered at Dukeshouse Wood can also be tailormade to suit the individual needs and learning outcomes of every school. With first-class instructors, exhilarating activities, ample entertainment and safety 100% guaranteed, it’s fair to say that Dukeshouse Wood really can offer the ultimate residential trip and an unforgettable life-changing experience for all involved. For more information about what’s on offer at Dukeshouse Wood, please call our friendly team on 01603 309 993 or visit www.kingswood.co.uk/ centres/dukeshouse-wood.

CASTLES

HADRIAN’S WALL

NEWCASTLE

Alnwick Castle - otherwise known as ‘Hogwarts’ – is considered one of the most beautiful castles in Europe, and the second largest inhabited castle in England. Steeped in drama, intrigue, tragedy and romance, it offers young visitors a chance to take part in bloodthirsty battles, enter the dragon’s lair and even try their hand at a spot of Harry Potter wizardry.

Perhaps the most famous of the region’s heritage sites, Hadrian’s Wall allows visitors a wonderful opportunity to walk in the footsteps of the Romans and discover first hand the story of the northwest Frontier of the Roman Empire. Some of the best preserved and most complete Roman Forts can be explored here, including Chesters, Housesteads and Birdoswald.

The thriving city of Newcastle certainly offers plenty to see and do, with its stunning architecture, world class shopping and the home of Newcastle United Football Club, St James Park, which offers sporting fans an unforgettable guided tour of the grounds. The New Life Science Centre provides a great day out for visitors of all ages, with its exhibitions, events, theatre shows and the biggest planetarium in the north of England and, following a recent £200 million investment, Gateshead Quay is now home to the spectacular BALTIC Centre of Contemporary Art, the Gateshead Millennium Bridge, and The Sage Gateshead.

Bamburgh Castle - another popular backdrop for films over the years (including Robin Hood), can be found perched 45 metres high up above the sea on an outcrop of volcanic dolerite, known locally as whinstone for the sound it makes when hit by a stonemasons hammer.

For more information on things to see and do in Northumberland see www.visitnorthumberland.com. For information on Newcastle and Gateshead quay visit www.newcastlegateshead.com.

INTERACTION An exciting, pioneering language module, designed to mix young people from different nationalities. • • • •

A fantastic chance for participants to improve their language skills and learn about new cultures. Your school will be paired with another school from a different coutry. Participants work through a range of adventure activities and culture-based study tasks. Designed to fulfil MFL curriculum requirements.

Available at our Colomendy, Dearne Valley, Dukeshouse Wood, Grosvenor Hall, Isle of Wight and Overstrand centres.

Call 01603 309 993 or visit www.kingswood.co.uk/international /interaction-programme/

SPORT

18 | AUTUMN NEWS 2012

KINGSWOOD.CO.UK Freddie Powell-Tuck

One giant leap for Aeroball

We all enjoyed a fantastic summer watching sports, many of which were new to us. From skeet shooting being the talk of office water-cooler gatherings to relatives becoming overnight handball armchair critics, it seems everyone has caught the sporting bug. But on the playing fields of Kingswood centres, the next generation of budding sports stars are trying their hand out at the latest sporting craze – Aeroball. Not quite trampolining, not quite basketball, handball or volleyball, Aeroball is an adrenaline fuelled fusion of the lot. Pupils learn the basic techniques of trampolining like bouncing and stopping, as well as ball skills (passing, shooting and blocking). This exhausting game is great for student fitness and skill development, with students needing to develop tactical thinking and good group communications skills to achieve that winning result.

THE COURT

Standing up to fifteen feet tall, the Aeroball court is made up of four net chambers situated on top of a large trampoline. One student occupies each of the chambers.

OBJECT OF THE GAME

Working together in a pair, the aim is to score goals through your opponents’ baskets. The first team to reach 7 points wins a game.

SERVICE

Server takes up to three bounces to begin the game.

BOUNCING

Players are allowed a maximum of three bounces to return the ball

SCORING

2 Points are awarded for a basket, 1 point is awarded if the ball touches the back net then falls to the surface without being caught.

PENALTIES

Loss of one point for hanging on the basket or front net. Opposite side gets 2 free shots for any foul committed.

WHAT THE CRITICS ARE SAYING

Stateside it’s been labelled by the Boston Globe, perhaps only somewhat optimistically, as the ‘national pastime by the year 2020’. Sports Illustrated calls it a “…new exotic adventure; a highly-skilled competitive game that’s easy to watch and even easier to play”.

TOP TIPS FROM KINGSWOOD’S ‘KING-OF-THE-COURT’ Kingswood West Runton’s very own aeroball aficionado, senior instructor Nathan Tkaczuk, reveals his top five tips for ‘sky-high’ success: 1. Communicate – Talking with your team mate is vital. Work towards both of your strengths. 2. Stay central – This will keep you balanced and away from the side netting allowing you to focus on the game. 3. Keep on bouncing! – Bouncing high will give you a better view of the arena and your opponent’s tactics. 4. Eyes on the ball – Always keep focussed on the ball wherever it is in the arena, ready to block any unexpected goal scoring attempts.

@jordanshurahi @kingswood_ sunny staffs is on top form today #makingdreamshappen

@GatefordPark Miss Reynolds and Mr Letton have been to see the new @Kingswood_ for September! Year 5, you are going to have a brilliant time!

5. Hands up high – Remember you are both attack and defence. Having your hands positioned above your head means you’ll react quicker.

Find us. facebook.com/Kingswoodcentres

Aeroball is available at Colomendy, Grosvenor Hall, Dukeshouse Wood, Isle of Wight, Overstrand, Peak Venture, Staffordshire and West Runton centres.

AUTUMN NEWS 2012 | 19

KINGSWOOD.CO.UK

R E L Z Z U P M O STAFF RO ingswood.co.uk/solutions For solutions to the puzzles visit www.k

King crossword

WIN A NEXUS 7 TABLET!

Stumped? Try ‘roping’ in a few colleagues for assistance. Just enter your details along with the correct answer at www.kingswood.co.uk/puzzler to be entered into the prize draw. But hurry, all entries must be received by 5pm on Friday November 30th 2012. Terms & Conditions apply. For full details please see www.kingswood.co.uk/puzzler

Word ladder

Sudoku The object of Sudoku is to fill the grid so that every column, every row and every 3x3 box contains the digits 1-9. Difficulty: Medium

2 9 6 2 3 1

8 4 1

Congratulations to Mr Martin Smith of Highsted Grammar School, Kent the lucky winner of our Staff Room Puzzler Spring 2012 competition.

8 4 7 4 7

E A I S L N I G B

Get your hands on a brand new Google Nexus 7 16GB tablet by solving our brainteaser. All you have to do is unscramble the letters in the grid to reveal a popular 9-letter activity available at our Kingswood centres.

6 3 5 2

7 7

8 1 5 6

20 21

ACROSS

DOWN

2 Red line on the London Underground (7)

4 Brand of gum produced by Wrigley’s (5,5)

3 American boxer, nicknamed “The Greatest” (8,3)

9 1954 Best Picture Oscar winner starring Marlon Brando (2,3,10)

4 British broadcaster and presenter of BBC News at Ten (3,7)

10 Second largest member of the camel family (9)

5 Sarah ______; host of Channel 4’s Property Ladder (5)

CLUES:

12 Kofi ______; former UN Secretary General (5)

6 Charity which hosts an annual film & television awards ceremony (5)

Delicacy

15 South American mammal, cousin of the llama (6)

7 Colour which includes shades such as rust and chocolate (5)

Trample

16 Gianni _______; Italian fashion designer (7)

8 ______ and Cleopatra; Shakespearean tragedy (6)

Type of Chord

17 ______ Monteverdi; Italian composer (7)

11 Traditional Italian filled pasta (7)

Test

18 Robert _______; tallest verified human being (6)

Warble

21 Highly toxic poison purified from castor oil (5)

Kind of weave

24 The arrangement of a particular set of ranks or levels (9)

Slops

25 The son or daughter of one’s child’s offspring (5,10)

Static Kiosk

SMALL

1 Layer of impurity which collects at the surface of a liquid (4)

A word ladder is a sequence of words formed by changing one letter each time eg cat-cot-dot-dog. Can you find the missing words?

GREAT

26 Bird which appears in The Twelve Days of Christmas (6,4) 27 South-east Asian country (4)

13 Extinct species closely related to the modern human (11) 14 Wooden defence mechanism associated with Medieval castles (10) 19 Husband of Desdemona (7) 20 Surname of the American pioneers of powered flight (6) 22 Celebratory noise (5) 23 Of or relating to birth (5) 24 1st Century ruler of Galilee; ordered John the Baptist’s death (5)

20 | AUTUMN NEWS 2012

KINGSWOOD.CO.UK

EX C See LU ho S w FIV muc IV EA EF hy AN ou TA can UT ST IC save AU on TU yo UM MN ur K NO OF ing FER swo S O od N P trip FF AG wit E 1 h o ER 2!* ur S!

“An outstanding educational experience. e activities enable the whole child to be devloped. Invaluable” - St Sebastians Catholic School

Unlimited possibilities Imagine a place where young people are inspired to learn and grow; where challenges are faced, skills learnt, minds opened and potential nurtured everyday. At Kingswood this is what we do. With curriculum-linked programmes (developed in partnership with major organisations like the University of the First Age and ASDAN) tailored to meet your school’s speciﬁc educational needs, we work with you to help young people to become the very best they can be. With an experienced and enthusiastic team to support you every step of the way, we’re proud to oﬀer immersive learning at it’s very best. • 9 UK centres situated across the country • Chateau de Chantereine centre in Northern France • Outstanding outdoor activity facilities • Superb learning resources, including indoor and outdoor classroom and ICT labs

To ﬁnd out more, simply view or download our new online brochure at kingswood.co.uk/brochure or call us on 01603 309 993.

*Terms and conditions apply. Offers not to be used in conjunction with any other offer. Offers are subject to availability and may be withdrawn at any time.

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