OUTDOOR EDUCATION

Overview

The Key Stage 3 Outdoor Education programme is based on the school’s belief that by taking learning outside of the classroom and into new and challenging situations, students are able to reflect about and interact with the environment. New opportunities for learning are created and previous skills and understandings are able to be brought to bear in unfamiliar environments. The programme is sequential and builds upon the Key Stage 2 programme. The outdoor challenges grow sequentially in complexity, challenge and levels of independence, throughout Key Stage 3, towards students ultimately participating in the Duke of Edinburgh International Award at Key Stage 4.

Aims:

• To expose students to a progressive outdoor skills and challenge programme that builds on and extends the preparatory school programme for Year 7 students.
• To provide a programme that builds progressively throughout KS3 towards the Duke of Edinburgh programme at age 14.
• To create learners who appreciate the vital importance of nature and ecological responsibility and who develop a love of nature and care for the world and its different environments.
• To apply previous learning to new situations.
• To gain confidence to take on new and challenging situations and apply this to all learning.
• To develop life and survival skills.
• To gain an appreciation of how other people live in different environments.
• To enhance team-building skills and the ability to work effectively with others in a range of challenging environments.
• To develop resilience, determination and a sense of achievement.

Annual outdoor camps are utilised based on Challenging Adventure campsites in:

• Umm Al Quwain (sea/shoreline environment)
• Ras Al Khaimah (mountain environment)
• Turkey (international environment)