Find out more online: www.worcestershire.gov.uk/outdoors
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oom beyond the classr
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adventure a to z ion Centre
Educat Llanrug OUTDOOR Worcestershire County Council offer a great selection of outdoor activities, courses and qualifications suitable for everyone. Individuals, clubs and societies, friends, adults and children can all use our three centres and discover new skills, new confidence and new challenges.
ucation Centre
DOOR Ed Malvern Hills OUT
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ation Centre 12
DOOR Educ Upton Warren OUT
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Group LEADERS
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QUALITY & SAFETY ion outdoor educat FIELD STUDIES HOW TO BOOK
for all
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testimonials
From a birthday party or one off taster session... to a weekend in the mountains with friends....or how about a week long multi-activity adventure? Discover your outdoors. Page 2 Worcestershire Outdoor Education
Visit www.worcestershire.gov.uk/outdoors or call 01527 861426 for further information.
Worcestershire Outdoor Education Page 3
There is n Learning mo doubt that Outd contributio akes a significantoor young peo n to the wellbein a fun andple. The outdoors p g of in which t challenging envir rovides people a c o learn and offer onment to developlear framework in s young which risk mana Outdoo g e r Educa m e n t s t io kills. Learnin g Handb n Advisors Pa nel, oo k 2008
Outdoor education is much more than outdoor activities. Outdoor education is about inspiring, developing and challenging people through activities and experiences that build life skills, confidence and encourage participation. It is also great fun. Worcestershire County Council has a long tradition of offering outdoor adventurous activities as part of a wider educational experience and these experiences are often among the most memorable experiences of a young person’s school career. Outdoor education is when an activity takes place outside the classroom, involves some degree of physical activity and has an adventurous component where the activity is used to teach social interaction, personal development or about the natural world. Outdoor education can also be used to describe fieldwork that complements other areas of the National Curriculum or environmental education programmes.
Outdoo
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We believe that participating in adventurous activities is not necessarily an indication of educational content. Schools and groups seeking an educational experience should ensure that there are clear objectives or a purpose to the activity beyond the fun element. Delivery of outdoor educational experiences by Worcestershire County Council is through Malvern Hills Outdoor Education Centre, Llanrug Outdoor Education Centre and Upton Warren Outdoor Education Centre. All our centres cater for schools, youth organisations, clubs and societies and adults, through a range of residential and non-residential courses. Our courses are bespoke and individually designed for each group. Course Directors work with the Group Leader to ensure that personal, educational and activity targets and objectives are given full consideration and accommodated. Worcestershire Outdoor Education Centres will help participants to: l
Improve communication, problem solving and teamwork
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Build self-confidence and self-esteem
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Develop self-awareness, leadership and social skills
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benefit from es g a l l a f o e l Young peop s on experiences when real life handhear, touch and explore they can see, und them and have the world aroto experience challenge opportunities e. 10 lassroom 20 and adventur tside the C r Learning
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Appreciate the natural environment, conservation issues and sustainable development Learn life skills such as risk management, responsibility and decision making Appreciate the benefits of physical activities and a healthy lifestyle Understand the value of perseverance and commitment in the pursuit of success Broaden horizons and expose them to new activities and opportunities.
In addition to courses based at our centres, instructional staff are able to provide expertise, support and advice about all outdoor activities, events and awards such as Duke of Edinburgh, team building and corporate days.
Visit www.worcestershire.gov.uk/outdoors for further information. Worcestershire Outdoor Education Page 5
The Worcester Outdoor Education Service offers over 40 outdoor education activities across our three centres. We believe our activities challenge, help build personal and relationship skills and inspire students to step out into the world with confidence.
Abseiling
L M
Coasteering L
For those who walk over the edge, bravery and willpower result in great views and improved confidence.
Adult Adventure Days
L M U
Duke of Edinburgh Award
Archery M U
Field Studies and Curriculum L M U Enhancement
Precision, control and patience is rewarded with accuracy.
Gorge Scrambling
L
L
Battle with both water and rock to work your way up a gorge. Teamwork is vital for success.
Bell Boating M U Bell boats are ideal for providing a first taste of water activities. Securely rafted together the boats encourage team work and provide a new way of exploring the lake.
Grass Sledging M
Blindfold Trail and L M U Trust Exercises
High Ropes Courses M U
Over and under obstacles with only the instructions of a partner to guide you. A great way of developing support, trust and communication skills.
Bodyboarding L L M U
Learn the secrets of shelter building, making fire, knife use, edible plants and useful trees.
Camping L M U Canoeing
Appreciate the effects of gravity, different angles of slope and different weights of riders.
Under expert guidance learn to use the equipment, before taking to the trees. Thirty feet up the adrenalin is pumping, even though belays, body harnesses and an advanced steel wire safety system ensure you cannot fall.
Hill Walking L M
Bouldering L Bushcraft and Survival Skills
L M
Throughout the year there are a number of Gold Award residential courses.
Why should the kids have all the fun?
Beach Activities
Climb, swim, and jump along the jagged North Wales coastline.
L M U
Control your craft, work towards a recognised qualification or journey down a river.
Holiday Activity Weeks L M U Experience an intensive week of different activities and new skills.
Jacobs Ladder M U
Ropes have been checked and double-checked, but it still takes considerable bravery to launch yourself off and challenge gravity to do its worst!
Full residential facilities including catering, showers, drying room and educational rooms.
Low Ropes Courses M U
Rifle Shooting M
Balance and co-operation are key to this activity. Working as buddies the challenge is to get around the course without touching the ground.
On our all-weather shooting range, .177 air rifles are used with varied target sizes. Students are taught to respect weapons and the strict codes of discipline involved in the sport of shooting on our shooting range with .177 air rifles.
Mining and Cave Exploration L
Rock Climbing L
North Wales has a rich mining heritage providing a challenging alien environment to explore.
Sailing M U
Mountaineering L
A wide variety of boats and courses are available for all abilities, from beginner taster sessions to those learning to race and Instructor Training.
North Wales offers world class mountaineering and rock climbing minutes from the Llanrug Outdoor Education Centre.
Sea Kayaking L
Mountain Boarding M National Governing Body Awards
Discover North Wales’ coastline from a new perspective and learn about the sea, tides, safety and boat handling.
L U
Achieve formal qualifications in first-aid, sailing, windsurfing, canoeing, kayaking, climbing and mountain leadership.
Kite Flying L
Orienteering L M U
Swimming L M U
Interpret a map and find the checkpoints against the clock.
Poles Courses M U Ascend the poles, in small teams to the top with encouragement from down below. A real personal challenge.
Getting wet is a distinct possibility. Forward planning, careful design, knotting skills and team commitment are required for success.
ing Surf kayak
Ride Atlantic breakers on a sit-on-top kayak.
Skiing (Dry Slope) L
Raft Building M U
A solo challenge that requires a team effort. Whether climbing, belaying or shouting encouragement, this activity requires a number of skills and Team involvement.
Surf Kayaking L
Nature Art L M U
Designed to test and develop ingenuity, co-operation and leadership. Share ideas, plan and work together to achieve the goal.
Climbing Wall M U
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Residential L M
Problem Solving L M U
Kayaking L M U
Camp fire cooking
King Swing M U
Team Games L M U Windsurfing M U Requires balance, skill and an understanding of wind and sailing principles.
Zip Wire M Jump from an enormous oak, and glide across a deep valley.
L M U
Llanrug Outdoor Education Centre Malvern Outdoor Education Centre Upton Warren Outdoor Education Centre
Worcestershire Outdoor Education Page 7
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ratio Mine explo Llanrug Outdoor Education Centre, situated on the edge of Snowdonia National Park, offers unprecedented access to the coastline, rivers, lakes and mountains of North Wales. The centre has been providing an adventurous range of high-quality outdoor education activities for over 30 years. Activities, run by friendly and highly qualified outdoor professionals, include hill walking, climbing, canoeing, kayaking, coasteering, gorge scrambling, orienteering, rafting, camping and cave and mine exploration. The centre provides all specialist equipment such as helmets, wetsuits, buoyancy aids, climbing equipment and activity specific equipment. In addition every visitor can borrow: a rucksack, waterproofs, fleecetop, hat, gloves and boots/wellies for the duration of their visit.
Mountaine
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Eco-Centre Status In 2009 Llanrug’s Eco-Centre status was successfully renewed. We are committed to developing day-to-day environmental awareness for visiting groups and during their stay we encourage guests to become involved in the centre’s recycling, energy efficiency and waste minimisation.
Scramblin
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In addition to provision for schools and groups the centre runs an extensive programme of specialist outdoor courses such as Mountain Leader, climbing and canoeing instructional qualifications, and personal skills courses.
Accommodation Llanrug, a former village school building, has accommodation for up to 60 students in dormitories of varying sizes with Group Leader accommodation either next to or near the dormitories. The centre has a main hall, field studies room, pool room, showers and toilets, drying room and is centrally heated. There is also self-contained bunkhouse style accommodation which sleeps 20 and is ideal for small groups or fieldwork courses.
Llanrug Sample Itinerary
Llanrug Outdoor Education Centre is owned and operated by Worcestershire County Council.
Rafting
Morning
Afternoon
Evening
Day 1
Arrive, student briefing, fire drill & equipment issue
Rock climbing at Lion Rock
Orienteering
Day 2
Rafting on the Menai Straits
Rafting on the Menai Straits
Beach Activities
Day 3
Mine Exploration
Mine Exploration
Llanberis Slate Mine walk
Day 4
Coasteering
Coasteering
Nightline Trust exercise
Day 5
Kayaking on Lynn Padarn
Departure
Abseiling Adult Adventu re Days Beach Activitie s Blindfold Trail Trust Exercises and Bodyboarding Bouldering Bushcraft and Survival Skills Camping Canoeing Climbing Wall Coasteering Duke of Edinb urgh Award Field Studies an Enhancement d Curriculum Gorge Scramb ling Hill Walking Holiday Activit y Weeks Kayaking Kite Flying Mining and Cav e Exploration Mountaineerin g National Gove rning Body Aw ards Nature Art Orienteering Problem Solvin g Rock Climbing Sea Kayaking Surf Kayaking Skiing (Dry Slo pe) Swimming Team Games
Llanrug, Caernarfon, Gwynedd LL55 4AP Tel: 01286 672136 Fax: 01286 675697 Email: lloecenquiries@worcestershire.gov.uk The office is open Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm
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Food Residential groups enjoy a hearty breakfast, packed lunches an evening meal and a supper of cake and a hot drink or squash. Even the most choosy child will find a choice that will make sure they don’t go hungry. Vegetarians, special diets and allergies can nearly always be catered for and healthy options include yoghurt and fruit with all meals.
Accommodation There is accommodation for over 90 students, split into three separate areas comprising of a number of dormitories with associated toilet and shower facilities and separate teachers rooms, adjacent to the dormitories. There is also a Scandinavian style chalet for smaller groups and camping is available during the summer months. A visit to the Centre is an ideal first trip away from home for primary school pupils.
The Malvern Hills Outdoor Education Centre is nestled at the northern end of the Malvern Ridge in Worcestershire and is set within 9 acres of wooded grounds. The centre provides the ideal setting for a memorable residential or day visit. The Malvern Hills is an area of outstanding natural beauty, providing opportunities for abseiling, grass sledging and adventure walks or trekking and much more. Our site offers adventurous but managed activities, run by our qualified and friendly instructors, such as the extensive set of ropes courses, high level challenge activities and climbing towers. In addition to the adventurous activities the centre runs a range of curriculum based outdoor and fieldwork opportunities catering for National Curriculum Key Stage 2 students to University and adult groups.
Our main focus of visits is the residential experience, offering students the chance to develop social skills while undertaking a range of activities designed to challenge and provide experiential learning opportunities. Malvern Hills Outdoor Education Centre is owned and operated by Worcestershire County Council.
Archery
ourse High rope c
Low rope course
Malvern Hills Sample Itinerary Morning
Afternoon
Evening
Day 1
Arrive, student briefing, fire drill, equipment issue and orienteering
Problem solving and Zip wire
Night Walk
Day 2
Archery and Climbing
King Swing and High Poles
Low Level Rope Course
Day 3
Bird ‘O’ Bridges
Review
Departure
Abseiling Adult Adventu re Days Archery Bell Boating Blindfold Trail Trust Exercises and Bushcraft and Survival Skills Camping Canoeing Climbing Wall Duke of Edinb urgh Award Field Studies an Enhancement d Curriculum Grass Sledging High Ropes Co urses Hill Walking Holiday Activit y Weeks Jacobs Ladder Kayaking King Swing Low Ropes Co urses Mountain Boar ding Nature Art Orienteering Poles Courses Problem Solvin g Raft Building Residential Rifle Shooting Sailing Swimming Team Games Windsurfing Zip Wire
Old Hollow, Malvern, Worcestershire WR14 4NR Tel: 01684 574546 Fax: 01684 893931 Email: mhocenquiries@worcestershire.gov.uk The office is open Mon to Fri 8.30am to 4.30pm Page 10 Worcestershire Outdoor Education
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The centre has a wide selection of sailing dinghies, windsurfers, canoes and kayaks enabling groups to undertake safe and adventurous activities led by our professional and friendly instructors. Courses are run for all ages and abilities from beginner taster sessions to high level skills and instructor training.
Upton Warren Outdoor Education Centre, situated minutes from junction 5 of the M5 in Worcestershire, based around a 20 acre lake offering a range of high quality watersports instruction in canoeing, kayaking, sailing, windsurfing and improvised rafting. The remainder of the 40 acre site provides a number of landbased activities such as climbing, ropes course, high poles course, a tunnel complex, team building challenges, camping, archery and a nature reserve. The centre can also be used as a base for fieldwork courses.
The centre has a number of boats suitable for disabled visitors. Upton Warren OEC provides outdoor educational activities for 8 to 18 year olds and adult courses.
g Raft buildin
Accommodation A large campsite and kitchen area provides residential opportunities for groups, however the majority of groups travel to the centre on a daily basis.
Pole cour se
Visitors have access to the showers, toilets and changing facilities plus our classrooms. Upton Warren Outdoor Education Centre is owned and operated by Worcestershire County Council.
Kayaking
Upton Warren Sample Itineraries Itinery
Morning
Afternoon
Working with others
Open canoeing or bell boating
Poles course eg. Jacobs Ladder
Skill Development
Windsurfing/Sailing/Canoeing lesson working towards nationally recognised qualification
Viking Themed Day
Decoration and sailing of ‘a Viking longboat’
Summer Activity Course
Multi-activity (up to 4 activities both water and land based)
Archery Bell Boating Blindfold Trail Trust Exercises and Bushcraft and Survival Skills Camping Canoeing Climbing Wall Field Studies an Enhancement d Curriculum High Ropes Co urses Holiday Activit y Weeks Jacobs Ladder Kayaking King Swing Low Ropes Co urses National Gove Body Awards rning Nature Art Orienteering Poles Courses Problem Solvin g Raft Building Sailing Swimming Team Games Windsurfing
Bushcraft
Bromsgrove, Worcestershire B61 7ER Tel: 01527 861426 Fax:01527 860100 Email: uwoecenquiries@worcestershire.gov.uk The office is open Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm
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Have a look around Group Leaders are welcome to visit our three centres to see for themselves what opportunities, accommodation and facilities we offer. We also offer a limited number of Group Leader Weekends for those wanting to more fully experience what we can offer. Please contact the centres for information.
Market your trip Once we have received your provisional booking you will receive a promotional pack to help market your trip and make it the success you want it to be. Marketing materials include:
g
erin Coaste
Taking a group on an outdoor education experience is a potentially daunting but very rewarding task. Before planning an educational trip Group Leaders should seek advice and support through their Educational Visit Coordinator or equivalent as their first point of contact. Additional support is also available through the County Outdoor Education Advisor. All Group Leaders wanting to organise an outdoor education trip should consider using one of our centres as their first choice for High Quality Outdoor Education provision, which meets all Worcestershire County Council requirements. The County Outdoor Advisory Service and outdoor education centre staff will be able to advise on the suitability and the level of competence required to deliver activities at our centres.
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PowerPoint presentation
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Posters advertising your trip
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A letter template to parents
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Offer of assembly visit by an instructor
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Offer of a parent evening visit by an instructor
Communications During your visit to a centre a member of staff will always be available out of office hours for emergencies. Students are encouraged not to bring mobile phones to the centres due to the possibility of damage or loss and contact with home can make even teenagers homesick. The residential experience encourages independence and self reliance so to promote this limited contact with home is preferred.
Licensing, National Governing Bodies & Instructors Please see the Quality and Safety pages of this brochure.
How to book Phone or email the centre of your choice to check for availability of your preferred week, enquire about the activities and make a provisional booking. It’s that simple. Our staff will guide you through the rest of the process and help you with your paperwork.
Duke of E dinburgh
Award
Accommodation Our three centres offer a variety of accommodation for Group Leaders from single en-suit to twins with shared staff bathroom/shower facilities. Please enquire at the centre when booking. All Group Leader accommodation is adjacent to or near to group dormitories.
Risk Assessments All our activities and all aspects of our centres are risk assessed and we are happy to provide risk assessments to Group Leaders to help in the planning process. We are continually updating and honing our procedures according to current best practice to ensure we are providing visiting groups with the best possible experience. However, Group Leaders will need to do their own risk assessments for travel to and from the centres.
Insurance Our Centres are covered ÂŁ40 million Public Liability Insurance. Contact the relevant Outdoor Education Centre for further information.
county outdoor Upton Warren Outdoor Education Centre, Bromsgrove, Worcestershire B61 7ER Tel: 01527 861426 Fax: 01527 860100 Email: uwoecenquiries@worcestershire.gov.uk
Sailing
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Insurance School trips Insurance can be purchased for a small sum to cover accidental injury during the various activities that the centres provide. Our centres are all covered by £40 million Public Liability Insurance. Contact your Group Leader for further information.
National Governing Bodies, Licensing & Instructors Outdoor activities and residential experiences are both challenging and rewarding for both children and parents. For some families it might be their first time apart. Visits to our centres are packed with action, excitement and learning opportunities that encourage independence, improve self-confidence and social skills.
Residentia
l accomo d
ation
Medical Issues
Our three centres are licensed by the Adventure Activities Licensing Regulations of 1996 to carry out a number of outdoor educational activities. Our experienced instructors have all completed enhanced CRB disclosure checks and have been approved to work with young people. They have undergone extensive training and assessments, hold appropriate National Governing Body Awards and have had their experience verified. All instructors hold relevant and valid first aid qualifications. Under direction of our Course Directors our instructors use their experience and qualifications for the careful selection of activities, degree of difficulty, teaching venues and equipment appropriate to the group’s needs.
Llanrug
Clothing and Equipment
Students and parents must notify the Group Leader of any medical conditions, special diets or allergies which may affect participation in any activity. The Group Leader will ensure the centre is made aware of any individual requirements or issues. Please provide as much information on medical issues in good time to enable possible solutions to be arranged. In certain cases additional support staff or doctor’s advice may be required.
Any specialist activity equipment will be provided by your centre but for a list of suitable clothing and personal items contact your visit group leader or go online to www.worcestershire.gov.uk/outdoors
Food Residential groups enjoy high quality, freshly prepared meals. Even the most choosy child will find a choice that will make sure they don’t go hungry. Vegetarians, special diets and allergies can nearly always be catered for and healthy options include yoghurt and fruit available with all meals.
nt store Equipme
Malvern
Contact Phoning the centre to check whether your child is enjoying their stay is not recommended as it can encourage homesickness, even in teenagers. The Group Leader can be contacted via the centre office during office hours or phoning direct after 4.30pm but this should be for emergencies only. Your Group Leader will contact you if there is an issue.
Residential Accommodation Llarung and Malvern Hills use dormitory accommodation
of varying sizes with Group Leader accommodation adjacent or nearby. Groups at the centres will never be left unsupervised and are not allowed to leave our sites unaccompanied. Students will need to bring duvet covers, bed sheets and pillow cases. The centres provide duvets and pillows. Centres are regularly visited and inspected for fire protection and all dormitories have smoke detectors.
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Great fo od
arren Upton W
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Education in it s broadest sen about deliverin se is not just g a curriculum It is about givin children the c g h a nce to extend their life skill Tim Gill (2010) s Balancing the
Nothing Ventur ed… Risks and Bene fits in the Out door
s
Worcestershire Outdoor Education Service is dedicated to providing high quality courses and residential experiences that give opportunities to develop social skills and personal qualities such as confidence, independence and responsibility. Group Leaders and parents can be assured that their children and young people will be in a closely managed and risk assessed environment, whilst enjoying some of the best adventurous activities in the UK. We actively pursue best practise and ensure that there are extensive procedures and systems in place to ensure that the activities we undertake are managed in the most appropriate way. The Adventure Activity Licensing Authority (AALA) externally verifies the operating guidelines for all of our centres and all adventurous activities have been subject to extensive and ongoing risk assessment procedures. We do not attempt to remove all risk from activities, because doing so would detract from the educational value of many of the activities but the risks are identified and managed appropriately.
As part of the educational process, students groups and individuals are actively involved in the risk assessment and risk management processes, developing essential life skills. Ratios of instructors to groups are appropriate to the activity being undertaken as recommended by the National Governing Body or our own in-house best practice. In addition, schools are asked to bring one staff member to every 15 children, although younger groups and groups with special needs may require more supervision.
le d n a h d n a experience dult o t e l p o e ung p hem for a t g in r Helping yo a p e an gain r c p e f l o p o t e r p a p rk Young o risk is w f o d l r e wo ipating in life and th erience from partic exp or events ty Executive o d t u o g this in fe g and excit Judith Hackitt CBE, Chair, Health and Sa in g n e l l a ch Our three centres are covered by Worcestershire County Council’s Public Liability Insurance (£40m).
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Instructors Our experienced instructors have all completed an enhanced CRB disclosure checks and have been approved to work with young people. They have undergone extensive training and assessments prior to delivery of any activity, hold appropriate National Governing Body Awards and have their experience verified. All instructors hold relevant and valid first aid qualifications. Under guidance of our Course Directors our instructors use their experience as well as their qualifications for the careful selection of activities, degree of difficulty, teaching venues and equipment appropriate to the group’s needs.
Group brie fing
When there is no National Governing Body instructional standards, our activities are subject to our stringent in-house training, industry best practice and approval systems ensuring both safety and educational standards are met for all tuition. Worcestershire County Council invest extensively in the ongoing training of our instructors to ensure that they are both technically and educationally equipped to meet your group’s needs.
Vehicles
Belaying
Drivers of vehicles used by the centres have all undertaken a Worcestershire County Council minibus test. All our vehicles are licensed as minibuses and are inspected on a regular schedule, and comply fully with minibus regulations.
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ipme ety equ f a s y it l Qua
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Inspiring students is at the heart of outdoor education. Glaciation Observing first hand valleys carved by ice, ancient lava flows Studies and the rich biodiversity of a coastline or pond can help bring learning to life. Seeing is believing and doing is learning. Our three centres are situated in three distinct landscapes offering a number of quality learning opportunities and are situated in some of the UK’s premier field studies locations. Field studies trips can also be combined with any number of adventurous outdoor activities. It’s your trip and we will do whatever we can to make it a success.
Everyone can participate in outdoor education. It is often those who assume they cannot be involved that will gain the most. We can adapt most activities to involve all individuals. There are very few barriers in outdoor education. Our three centres are inclusive and deliver outdoor educational content that challenges and rewards all participants. Activities will inspire and help individuals lead more independent and rewarding lives. For many groups and individuals with special educational needs or behavioural difficulties our centres facilitate opportunities for new experiences that encourage personal growth and provide a safe and secure environment in which to gain confidence. Whether it is a day experience at Upton Warren enjoying our water and land based activities or experiencing a residential visit to Llanrug or the Malvern Hills our special educational needs courses are planned and delivered by our qualified and experienced staff.
Team wor king
Special educational needs groups or those with behavioural difficulties are able to take part in and excel in most of the activities we offer. The Course Director will carefully consider and prepare a programme of activities with the Group Leader to ensure the activities suit the group’s needs, abilities and educational outcomes.
Sailability Upton Warren is a member of the Royal Yachting Association ‘Sailability’ scheme providing courses in stable keel boats, large dinghies and access dinghies. The 20 acre lake has hoist facilities to aid participants get in and out of their craft, accessible changing rooms, Bellboats, Katacanoes and kiwi kayaks providing opportunities for most groups and abilities.
Worcestershire County Council has always been at the forefront of outdoor education. In 2005 the government launched the Learning Outside the Classroom initiative at the Upton Warren Outdoor Education Centre with a visit from the then Prime Minister Tony Blair, chosen because of our commitment to delivering high quality outdoors experiences that enable learning and adventure in equal measure.
Malvern Hills
Your Course Director will work with you to provide a bespoke programme, delivering inspirational locations, suitable activities and your curriculum requirements to bring your lessons to life. We are able to assist with delivering Key Stage 2, 3, GCSE, AS/A level and University studies.
Llanrug
Geology Leisure and Tourism Human Geography Physical Geography Environmental Science Citizenship History Biology
or all! Sailing f
Zonation
Situated on the edge of Snowdonia National Park our centre provides countless world-class opportunities for field studies, utilising the spectacular landscapes that surround the centre. The park is home to a UNESCO World Heritage Site, 14 conservation areas, 374 ancient monuments, 60km of coastline, over 61,000 hectares of ‘Sites of Special Scientific Interest’ and a UNESCO World Biosphere.
Upton Warren
Life Skills Chalet The Malvern Hills Life Skills Chalet can accommodate 14 guests and provides opportunities for individuals with special educational needs to practise and learn everyday skills, helping them lead more independent lives. Life skills courses are combined with outdoor activities to create physical and adventurous opportunities.
An ‘Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty’, the Malvern Hills are part of the Abberley and Malvern Hills Geopark, one of only seven geoparks in the UK (50 worldwide) and home to 700 million years of history. The landscape has helped create a wealth of ecological, historical, and cultural heritage, making the Malvern Hills Outdoor Education Centre an excellent base to explore this unique area.
Studies
Our site, part of an SSSI, is adjacent to one of Worcestershire’s premier bird watching reserves. The reserve consists of a series of pools, freshwater and saltwater, created by brine extraction offering countless fieldwork opportunities. The pools are home to a wide range of birds, especially waterfowl and waders such as the shy bittern and the avocet. The saltwater pools are also an important inland stronghold for saltmarsh plants. During gravel extraction significant fossil finds provided dating material and the site lends its name to an interstadial glacial period Contact one of our centres for further information on how we can make your lessons even better.
sit Slate mine vi
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! t i d e v o l n 10/10 childre 1 Decide when and where you would like to go. Contact either the Residential Bookings Team on 01684 574546 or call the Day Course Bookings Team on 01527 861426. 2 Discuss your needs and availability with a Course Director and provisionally book your course. You will have 14 days to confirm or cancel.
Cancellations Where courses and public bookings are cancelled within eight weeks of the course start date the full course fee is still due. If amendments are made to the booking, eight weeks prior to the course date, charges will be adjusted accordingly. Significant amendments to your booking must be confirmed in writing.
3 Once your booking has been confirmed a letter will be sent out with accompanying paperwork and an invoice for a non-refundable 25% deposit. The deposit is due 30 days from confirming the booking. The deposit amount is based on the number of participants on the course. or any course under £200 in value the full course fee will be required at the time of booking.
Hire of equipment and centre premises without centre staff
4 Once your booking is confirmed you will receive a Marketing Pack to help make your course a success.
If hired equipment is returned damaged beyond (in the opinion of the Head of Centre) fair wear and tear, the centre retains the right to charge the full cost of replacement or, if appropriate, the excess fee for an insurance claim should one be made.
5 A Course Director will contact you to discuss your course requirements, learning outcomes, special educational needs and course activities. 6 Final group numbers are confirmed eight weeks in advance of your course date. 7 The full balance of your course is due eight weeks before the course start date. The Group Leader will also receive dormitory plans, dietary and medical requirements, insurance information and parent/ guardian letters.
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g for team buildin at re G . ar ye y me ever tastic! Continue to co ructors are fan st in e h T g. in d il bu and confidence appy children. h ry ve e th l al Thank you from
”
stering
Pathway Care Fo
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Some groups have their own appropriately qualified staff which have undertaken an induction and are familiar with centre operating procedures. Under these circumstance a centre may be prepared to hire out equipment without providing a member of centre staff.
Groups using their own instructors at the centre or using centre equipment elsewhere must ensure that they hold appropriate Public Liability Insurance. The centre reserves the right to refuse a booking or any subsequent booking.
8 Course commences.
Residential Bookings Team Tel: 01684 574546 Email: residentialenquiries@worcestershire.gov.uk
Day Course Bookings Team Tel: 01527 861426 Email: dayenquiries@worcestershire.gov.uk
An excellent d a was had by y all
We were ke pt busy wit h lots of dif activities a ferent nd everyon e was able All went ho t o ge me happy a nd tired. Th t involved. St George’s ank you. Catholic P ri mary Scho
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n o i t c u r t s n i t n e Excell
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enable r S.E.N. students to ou of n ke ta as w re Great ca g thank you. in all activities. A bi rt pa ke ta to em th Community High South Bromsgrove
School
”
l a i c i f e n e b a This is such s y a w y n a m trip in so
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d couragement an en , ce n ie at p , se superb The experti ors and staff is ct ru st in e th f o s respect uence on pupil fl in ve ti si o p a and will have ars. and staff for ye
”
sford School
Defford Cum Be Page 22 Worcestershire Outdoor Education
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Find out more online: www.worcestershire.gov.uk/outdoors