Outdoor Learning - England

At The Outward Bound Trust we aim to help young people realise their potential through learning and adventure in the wild.

We create a supportive and challenging environment in which young people can learn more about themselves and see clearly, perhaps for the first time, what they might truly be capable of achieving in life.

Why choose The Trust?

Leading impact evaluation process Bursary support and charitable subsidies 70 years of developing young people Real wilderness environments High quality, value for money outdoor learning Experienced and academically qualified instructors

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the journey begins here

Our young people have benefitted immeasurably from their lifeenhancing adventures and the results that have come about from our Outward Bound® course have been staggering.

Fraser Mackintosh, Director of Sport, Broadoak School, Manchester

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A compelling

social impact To enable us to deliver real value to schools and youth organisations taking part in an Outward Bound experience, we strive to measure the difference that our courses really make to young people.

In our 2011 Social Impact Report, 93% of teachers noted that their students had increased confidence, improved social well-being and were more resilient and optimistic as a result of their Outward Bound programme.

Other findings of note included: 60% of participants became more confident, enthusiastic and capable students 77% of teachers were able to support their students in a more targeted way 72% of teachers observed improved knowledge and appreciation of the natural environment in their students.

Young people can tangibly benefit in many ways from their experiences with The Trust, according to our evaluations. They develop socially, emotionally and on a personal level – perhaps that’s why over 99% of organisations we worked with in 2010 said that they would come back to The Trust in the future.* Click here for further information on our Social Impact Report. *Customer Feedback data, 2010

A broader scope for

achievement An Outward Bound experience can equip your students with the personal, learning and thinking skills needed for success in learning and life, including: ---------

Investigative skills Reporting skills Presentation skills Employability skills Confidence and resilience Communication and teamworking skills Leadership skills Independent thinking

To ensure your Outward Bound experience achieves the best results for your students, we can work with you to create: -----

A reward or incentive programme A shared experience to develop peer relationships An environmental awareness programme An employment skills development programme A programme to complement key classroom themes and curriculum learning

To complement your students’ achievements, their Outward Bound programme can incorporate training and assessment of many other awards and certificates, including: - -----

The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award (expedition/ residential) The John Muir Award ASDAN BTEC contributions Sections of the International Baccalaureate

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An

educational charity Bursary support

A 70 year heritage

As the UK’s leading provider of bursary-assisted outdoor learning, we believe that a lack of funds shouldn’t be a barrier to boosting a young person’s self-esteem, to developing their skills or to having a greater appreciation of the natural environment. Our mission, as a not-for-profit organisation, lies in making our courses as widely available as possible to all young people – irrespective of their financial circumstances. In 2010 we worked with over 350 schools, two thirds of whom we supported with bursaries totalling over £2m, thanks to the generosity of our donors and our fundraising activities.

With more than 70 years’ experience of using the outdoors to develop leadership skills and inspire confidence and independent thinking, The Outward Bound Trust has cultivated a rich heritage and enduring reputation.

Established in 1941 by naval captain Lawrence Holt and Kurt Hahn, founder of Gordonstoun School, The Trust began as a survival school to prepare young merchant seamen for the rigours of WWII. Since then, we’ve worked with over 1 million participants, adapting our courses to the needs of each generation. Now as an educational charity with royal patronage, we work with young people from all corners of the UK to allow them to experience real challenges and ultimately, achieve their true potential.

We may also be able to assist you in sourcing additional external funding for your Outward Bound experience, please contact us for further information.

A value for money experience At The Trust there are no hidden extras to pay for - everything from food, bedding and specialist kit to comprehensive travel insurance is all included.

Schools need only cover the cost of travel to and from the centre. We offer you a value for money guarantee and real quality assurance as well as an unmatched experience for your students in terms of the depth of learning and the real wilderness environments in which we operate.

You won’t find a more competitively priced, comparable learning experience for young people elsewhere in the UK – if you do, we’d love to hear from you.

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I’m so thankful for the support I had in helping me pay for my course. Without it I wouldn’t have had a chance to make a change in myself or have found a way of making new friendships.

Dwayne, course participant, Ernest Bevin College, London

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We’ve learned so much from our expedition.

We now know how to set ourselves goals and targets, how to communicate and encourage each other and how to stay positive in the face of a big challenge.

Alness Academy pupils’ blog from their Adventure & Challenge course

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Experiential learning,

skills for life Experiential approach making learning dynamic, enduring and practical Challenging journeys, experiences and expeditions in the wilderness, which engage and motivate students Ongoing review and reflection ensuring long-term, transferable learning We work closely with schools, youth organisations and the broader education systems throughout the UK to contribute to a joined-up approach to enhancing young people’s lives and how they learn. As such, we aim to become a part of your students’ long term learning journey by supporting both your curriculum work and your organisation’s ethos.

Using a proven experiential learning process, which 60% of teachers* say makes visible improvements to a student’s performance in the classroom, your Outward Bound experience can address specific needs and learning objectives to equip your students with the skills that will be of real, long-term value to them. *1-month follow-up teacher survey, Sep 2010

With spectacular wilderness environments on our doorstep, we combine mountain, lake and sea adventures to enable your participants to achieve their learning aims. From gorge walking to sea kayaking, hill walking to rock climbing, young people have the opportunity to plan and take part in physical journeys to help them develop within a team and grow as individuals whilst learning about the environment around them. Their developmental journeys often include an overnight expedition in the wild, which represents the pinnacle of their learning and allows them to review and reflect upon their programme. These expeditions, unique to The Trust, give students the chance to experience an even greater level of challenge, boosting their confidence and broadening their skills as a result.

The education and objective-based ethos of the course allows the college to fully justify the Outward Bound residential experience – we firmly believe that this form of learning not only raises overall standards of attainment but also helps develop rounded and well-balanced individuals.

Stuart Dixon, Assistant Headteacher, Greenfield School Community and Arts College, County Durham

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I’ve taken such a big step forward in my life. I now know how to work in a team and share my ideas – I’ve never felt so proud.

Ben, course participant, Morpeth School, London

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Without my course, I would not have this amazing feeling of pride and success. I can’t stop smiling.

Dylan, course participant, The International School and Community College, Birmingham

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Inspiring locations,

unparalleled experiences Four residential centres, open year-round Venues in the Lake District, Scottish Highlands and Snowdonia Choice of inspirational coastal and mountain wilderness environments Specialist facilitation areas to review and evaluate learning At The Outward Bound Trust we use extraordinary locations to inspire young people, giving them the chance to learn about, experience and explore new environments. Our residential centres are based in the UK’s most dramatic landscapes, providing limitless opportunities for adventurous journeys in the wild.

Communal living is an integral feature of an Outward Bound residential.

Our dorm-style accommodation encourages a sense of community and allows young people to experience the responsibility of living away from home.

Scottish Highlands The Trust’s Loch Eil residential centre, situated in the Lochaber area - a designated geopark renowned for its geological features - offers a host of opportunities for experiential learning.

Close to the first class mountaineering venues in Glencoe and the Ben Nevis range, participants are surrounded

by Scotland’s most magnificent and challenging environments.

Lake District Set in England’s largest national park, The Trust’s Ullswater centre has unique, direct access to the lake and the magnificent fells beyond. Close to Helvellyn, one of England’s highest peaks, the surrounding crags and ghylls offer fantastic opportunities for climbing and gorge scrambling.

Our newest, purpose-built centre, Howtown, is ideally located for doorstep adventures and minimising The Trust’s environmental impact with its proximity to the shores of Ullswater and the High Street Fells.

Snowdonia Our Aberdovey centre overlooks the stunning Dyfi Estuary - a UNESCO world biosphere reserve. With easy access to the mountain ranges of midWales including Snowdon and Cader

Idris, and a waterfront activity centre and jetty, the centre provides an ideal base for both water and mountainbased activities. Participants can also take part in expeditions in the coastal waters of Cardigan Bay - a marine special area of conservation, home to an array of wildlife including bottle nose dolphins and Atlantic grey seals.

Free taster events We run free teacher taster events, which are an ideal opportunity to visit our centres and learn more about what The Trust may be able to offer your pupils and organisation. Click here for dates and further details.

Our students have been exposed to a fantastic new environment. They’ve explored a world away from their usual city life and as a result I’ve seen them thrive and achieve truly amazing things.

Anita Hawksworth, Education Visits Coordinator, Whitehouse Common Primary School, Sutton Coldfield

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Exceptional instructors,

life-long skills Over half of The Trust’s instructors hold qualifications for delivering learning, such as a PGCE Over half hold advanced outdoor qualifications Our instructors have worked with us for an average of 4½ years Dedicated group instructor for the duration of your course Our exceptional instructors work with us year-round to help schools to augment and achieve their learning objectives. As experts in outdoor learning and adventure, and with over half possessing academic qualifications for delivering learning, our instructors have the skills, maturity and experience to both support and challenge young people. Using their expertise to guide participants through their Outward Bound experience, your instructor will enable your students to take on new responsibilities, gain independence and develop their longterm, transferable skills.

Your students work with a dedicated group instructor from beginning to end of their course. They build confidence and trust, reflecting on and learning from their adventurous journeys thanks to the important pastoral role their instructor plays in getting to know every member of the group.

Their outstanding educational capability, professionalism and personal experience of genuine outdoor adventure ensures that our

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instructors are consistently rated as one of The Trust’s most valuable assets by our customers.

Safety Our experience of accompanying young people on adventurous journeys in the wild has allowed us to accumulate a wealth of knowledge in all aspects of working safely in the outdoors. We can offer schools and groups specific expertise and guidance, lending staff the support they need to manage risks appropriately.

We’re committed to continuous reviews of our safety policies and our centres and staff fully comply with all relevant legislation.

Click here for copies of our risk assessments and more detailed information on our safety credentials.

Our instructor gave our students a truly unique opportunity to both recognise and enhance their skill sets. She was not only consultative with us as visiting staff, but engaged with and encouraged our young people, allowing them to grow as leaders and team members alike.

Claire Rundell, Pupil Support Staff, Larkhall Academy, South Lanarkshire

James Lancashire, senior instructor at The Trust’s Ullswater centre, at the top of Denali in Alaska, his final challenge in climbing the highest peak on each continent.

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This is an organisation with the ethos, commitment and ability to deliver top-class instruction. The Trust has given our pupils the opportunity to succeed and achieve in ways they didn’t think possible.

Phil Miller, PE teacher, Northampton Academy, Northampton

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A successf ul team

Making your booking with The Trust We have a dedicated education team working throughout the UK to ensure that making a booking with The Trust is as simple and straightforward as possible.

Call 01931 740000 to contact your local Education representative or email enquiries@outwardbound.org.uk

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The Outward Bound Trust offers top quality outdoor learning and over their 70 years have developed curriculum-linked programmes that make learning meaningful, engaging and relevant for participants. The Trust’s work with schools is first class and ensures that young people are better equipped to understand their role in society, and above all, make positive contributions within their communities.

Peter Allison PhD FRGS, Deputy Director of Post Graduate Studies, The University of Edinburgh

Head Office The Outward Bound Trust Hackthorpe Hall, Hackthorpe Penrith, Cumbria CA10 2HX Tel: 01931 740000

Email: enquiries@outwardbound.org.uk Fundraising offices Glasgow, Scotland London, England

Centres

Aberdovey, Snowdonia, Wales Ullswater, The Lake District, England Howtown, The Lake District, England Eskdale, The Lake District, England Metro, Central Belt, Scotland Loch Eil, The Highlands, Scotland

Printed on 50% recycled paper.

Printed by Cypher Digital. ÂŽ Outward Bound is a registered trade mark of The Outward Bound Trust as is its device.

The Outward Bound Trust is a registered charity in England and Wales (1128090) and in Scotland (SC040341) and a company limited by guarantee, registered in England and Wales (company number 6748835). Registered Office: Hackthorpe Hall, Hackthorpe, Penrith, Cumbria CA10 2HX.