Wide horizons
Bryntysilio Centre
Wide Horizons Bryntysilio Centre is set above the River Dee, situated in ten acres of beautifully landscaped grounds. This is the perfect location for a range of exciting Adventure Learning activities for schools, with mountains, rivers, and canals just outside the front door.
WHY CHOOSE WIDE HORIZONS BRYNTYSILIO CENTRE? We enrich lives and promote children’s growth
Safety
We develop: • Successful Learners – children who are resilient, autonomous, and resourceful • Confident Individuals – our adventures motivate young people and build self-esteem and inner strength • Responsible Citizens – individuals who can cooperate with others, demonstrating respect and empathy
Our safety record is impeccable. With a vastly experienced staff team, and our tried and tested procedures, we maintain a rigorous and thorough approach to health and safety giving you, and the parents of your pupils, peace of mind. The centre is licensed by the Adventure Activities Licensing Service (AALS) and is regularly inspected by technical advisors. There is, of course, a risk assessment in place for each venue and activity.
Our Team
Widehorizons – The Adventure Learning Charity
We have a highly skilled team of qualified teachers and outdoor instructors based on-site, who will support in ensuring the safety and wellbeing of your children during their time away with us. The team has vast experience of working with young people in the outdoors and in school. We are passionate about developing children’s outdoor learning to impact positively on life in school and home.
In 2010, Wide Horizons took over the operation of the Bryntysilio Outdoor Centre in Wales, formerly part of Walsall’s education authority in the Midlands. The centre now works with more children than ever before, focussed on providing every child with valuable outdoor and adventure experiences.
Location The centre is set above the beautiful town of Llangollen, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The surrounding hills and the River Dee creates an inspirational outdoor learning environment. We are located just off the A5, within easy reach of Walsall, the West Midlands and Shropshire.
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Wide Horizons believe that every child should have access to adventure as part of their education and development. We work with schools across the country to develop meaningful Adventure Learning Partnerships that will make the most of each pupil’s visit. We also work with schools to help those children and families that might struggle to meet the costs. If you would like to speak to us about our Adventure Learning Partnerships programme, please get in touch.
“Attending Bryntysilio is a key part of the learning journey that we hope all our learners will take. Through outdoor adventurous learning opportunities children are able to apply their communication, teamwork, leadership and independent learning skills while experiencing true challenge in a safe, supportive and stimulating learning environment, often surprising themselves in the progress that they have made during the week. Over the past ten years that I have been attending Bryntysilio with St Giles CE Primary School, I have always been impressed with the quality of staff and with their passion that they have for outdoor education, ensuring that the children leave with new interests, personal goals and achievements.� Mr M Dakin, Headteacher, St Giles CE Primary School 3
ADVENTURE LEARNING AT BRYNTYSILIO CENTRE RESIDENTIALS – WEEKEND VISITS – DAY VISITS – OUTREACH – GSCE/A-LEVEL PE COURSES – TRANSITION FROM KS2 TO KS3 – SPECIAL EDUCATION NEEDS Wide Horizons Bryntysilio Centre offers innovative programmes tailored to your group’s needs. We use the outdoors to inspire your pupils and enrich their learning and development. How children feel about their experience of working together, or how they face a challenging activity and learn from it, is much more important to our instructors than just completing an activity. It is important to help children make sense of their learning and understand how this can positively affect other areas of their lives.
JOHN MUIR AWARD With all of our primary programmes you can benefit from gaining your John Muir Award, at no extra cost. The John Muir Award is an environmental award scheme for schools focused on wild places. This programme: • Delivers the Curriculum for Excellence using outdoor learning • Encourages an active, healthy and environmentally sustainable lifestyle
Canoeing & Kayaking
Climbing
Gorge Walking
KS2, KS3, KS4 An exciting team activity on the water. Pupils must learn to communicate with each other effectively to manoeuvre their boat in the right direction.
KS2, KS3, KS4 Groups will be taught basic rope skills, which will be put to the test as students support each other with climbing and belaying. These techniques will enable students to learn trust, communication and responsibility.
KS2, KS3, KS4 Waterfalls, traversing rock and plunge pools are just some of the thrilling elements you will need to conquer to reach the end! At the end of the session your group will recognise the importance and rewards of effective teamwork and cooperation.
Caving KS2, KS3, KS4 Explore a natural limestone cave and discover stalactites, stalagmites and even some bats along the way! Groups will need to support and encourage each other as they walk, crawl and manoeuvre their way through the cave.
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Cross Country Skiing KS2, KS3, KS4 Take advantage of our fantastic location and develop a skill level in cross country skiing. Skiing is great for a student’s coordination, balance and fitness.
Low Ropes Course KS2, KS3, KS4 This activity encourages groups to work together and problem solve to complete the course. Some of the challenges your group will face include ropes, balance beams, swings and tyres.
Mountain Biking KS2, KS3, KS4 Our highly skilled staff will take you group on some thrilling purpose built trails at Coed Llandegla, one of the finest mountain biking routes in Europe! Students will be taught basic off-road biking techniques, encouraging confidence on the trail and allowing groups to take in the beautiful surrounding scenery.
Mountain Walking KS2, KS3, KS4 The day will require perseverance and encouragement from peers. This is a great team and individual challenge, giving the group a real feeling of achievement and reward once they reach the top.
Nightline KS2, KS3, KS4 In teams the students navigate their way around obstacles following a rope, all whilst blindfolded. Students will need to communicate effectively with their peers to complete the course.
Night Walk KS2, KS3, KS4 A chance to experience the unusual sights and sounds of the night time. A real adventure; see the stars, dodge bats and support your friends.
Orienteering KS2, KS3, KS4 Groups will be given an introduction to basic map and compass skills, and at a higher level will learn how to take a compass bearing. Orienteering encourages students to work as a team and individually.
Problem Solving/ Team Building KS2, KS3, KS4 All of our teambuilding courses are specifically designed to enable children to develop trust, initiative, co-operation and leadership within the group.
Raft Building KS2, KS3, KS4 Groups must use their creativity and initiative to design and create a floating raft. Working together teams will be given the bare essentials to create the vessel which will need to carry the whole team across the water.
Scrambling KS2, KS3, KS4 Groups will need to crawl, squeeze and traverse large boulders. This is a great activity allowing you to reach areas of the rock that are otherwise inaccessible, giving you the opportunity to discover some exciting new environments.
Shelter Building KS2, KS3, KS4 This is a great team-building activity where pupils will need to use their initiative and planning skills to build a shelter that will protect you from the elements.
We are one of the only OUTDOOR Centres to hold a British Cycling Approved Mountain Bike Leadership AWARd
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Art & Design KS2, KS3, KS4 We use our beautiful locations as inspiration for children to create some fantastic pieces of art work.
Creative Writing KS2, KS3, KS4 We use the great outdoors to encourage children to write creatively. Stimulating environments can help develop literacy and writing skills.
P.E. KS3, KS4 + We are in a fantastic location for delivering both taught and assessed elements of GCSE/ A-Level PE, with an experienced team of qualified PE teachers and outdoor instructors.
Snow Activities KS2, KS3, KS4 Winter walking, sledging and igloo building are just some of the activities that can be incorporated into your trip when the snow arrives.
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BENEFITS OF ADVENTURE LEARNING The centre has a wealth of knowledge in Adventure Learning, working with schools for over 45 years to ensure the best possible experience for every child. Over these years we have seen the following impacts of our work on children’s development: • Improved personal wellbeing • A positive attitude to approaching new challenges • Improved self-confidence, self-esteem and motivation • Higher academic achievement • Greater creativity and innovation • Increase resilience • Leadership and responsibility • Better engagement with school work • Improved decision making skills • A better connection with nature
Schools Preview Weekend There’s a reason why most schools come back year after year but don’t just take our word for it; join us with a friend or colleague for one of our Free Preview Weekends at the centre in November 2014. What’s included? • Adventure Activity Programme • Full accommodation and board • Teacher networking Call us today on 0845 600 65 67 to find out more.
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Adventure Learning Partnerships (ALPs) We understand that the cost of adventure at Wide Horizons Bryntysilio Centre can be a challenge for some schools and parents. That’s why we have developed Adventure Learning Partnerships, working with a number of schools in Walsall already.
What are Adventure Learning Partnerships? This is an exciting new initiative embedding Adventure Learning into the school Curriculum whilst ensuring the funding challenge is met, particularly for the most disadvantaged children and young people. Consisting of three main elements: 1. Adventure Learning Our expert team will develop a programme of Adventure Learning bespoke to each school’s objectives. 2. Schools Fundraising Our experienced fundraisers will work with the school to help initiate fundraising events and ideas that will raise funds for their Partnership. 3. Funding Support We have created an ‘Access to Adventure’ bursary fund where funds raised by our team can be accessed by our Adventure Learning Partnership schools.
Want to become an Adventure Learning Partner? For more information please get in touch on 0845 600 65 67 or email alps@widehorizons.org.uk.
in house capacity
ACCOMMODATION
66
camping capacity
40
What’s included in your visit?
This beautiful period centre has a range of mixed size dormitories separated into girls and boys wings, with separate rooms for group leaders. We can also offer camping on-site and there is a self-contained lodge style accommodation which sleeps up to 8 for smaller groups.
• Flexible programme design • A full adventure activity programme • Leadership and instruction from qualified and experienced staff • Fully catered accommodation (all home cooked to the highest standard) • All specialist outdoor equipment • On course minibus transport • On-site staff/ night-watch
There are many large communal areas with a warm log burner, using fuel found on site. These are perfect for relaxing after a long day of adventuring. Other facilities include: classrooms, dry rooms, a BBQ area, a tipi, picturesque gardens, a tuck shop and WIFI.
Book Now If you would like to talk to the team here at Wide Horizons Bryntysilio Centre about a booking or to find out more please get in touch at: T: 0845 600 65 67 E: enquiries@widehorizons.org.uk www.bryntysilio.co.uk
Your group will be well looked after by our team and enjoy cooked breakfasts, packed lunches and a hearty evening meal prepared daily by our cooks, who are adept at catering for all types of dietary requirement. A494 A483 A534
Wrexham
A5
A41
Llangollen
A495
Walsall 1 hour 45 mins Shropshire 1 hour
A49
A483
A5
Llangollen
Shrewsbury
A5
Birmingham
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Wide Horizons Bryntysilio Centre Llangollen, Denbighshire, LL20 8BS 0845 600 65 67 enquiries@widehorizons.org.uk www.bryntysilio.co.uk
Wide Horizons is a registered charity number 1105847