Trewern Outdoor Education Centre and The National Curriculum

Mission Statements

“To be first choice provider of professionally led residential outdoor activity and field studies courses, for the young people of Barking and Dagenham.”

“To be viewed as a Centre of excellence in the provision of outdoor education programmes for students, for teachers and for other adults who are involved in leading groups from Barking and Dagenham in the outdoors.”

Key Skills

The National Curriculum identifies 6 Key Skills that “help learners to improve their learning and performance in education work and life”.

All courses at Trewern will be effective at developing the skills of, Working with Others, Problem Solving, Communication and Improving Learning and Performance,. With suitable pre-course planning information technology and application of number be readily developed

Communication

Speaking and listening skills are important in most aspects of life. Small groups working within the challenging environment of a course at Trewern will find them essential. Numerous opportunities to develop speaking skill to peers and adults will present themselves. Reviews will provide additional opportunities to develop the vocabulary used to describe experiences and emotion. Working together in groups of 3 or 4 on a rock face will provide numerous opportunities for significant communication. Instruction, advice and encouragement will need to be given and accepted.

With careful planning it is also possible to provide opportunities to develop writing skills through the maintenance of diaries and personal records of achievement.

Working with others

Most of the activity at Trewern will require that individuals contribute to small group discussion. In order too meet the challenges encountered during the week students will need to develop social skills and an awareness and understanding of others. They will be given opportunities to appreciate the experience of others and consider different perspectives. Through reviews they benefit from what others think and say. The situations faced e.g. getting to the top of that mountain or paddling the 2 man open boat back to the minibus are real situations and working with others is essential if the group is going to get back early enough for a hot shower before dinner.

Improving and Learning and Performance

A significant amount of emphasis is given to review at Trewern. Pupils and each activity group will be expected to reflect and critically evaluate the day. They will develop learning points, identify obstacles to learning and discuss ways to improve their performance. Students will be encouraged to take ownership for their views and to listen carefully to those of the rest of the group. This exchange will lead to the development of an agreed learning points and action plan for subsequent development.

Problem Solving

Activities organised with the grounds and at venues away from the Centre can present opportunities for the development of problem solving skills. Student will be encouraged to develop skills and strategies that will help them solve problems that they may face in real life. Problems will need to be identified and understood; careful planning, testing, monitoring and review will be required if a solution is to be found. How does a group of 12 individuals unload the canoe trailer, keep together on moving water or cross that 3 metre wall.

Information Technology

The small network of computers available at Trewern can be used to plan routes and expeditions. The internet can be used to access information such as weather forecasts. G.I.S. soft wear can be used to help teach basic map awareness and navigation skills and help plan expeditions and record successes. A collaborative “e diary” or “newsletter” will provide opportunities to review and then record experiences. The use of digital camera can add interest to a newsletter that can then be sent back to school.

General Teaching Requirements

The National also outlines 3 general teaching requirements

Trewern course will strive to meet these requirements

Inclusion

Setting suitable learning challenges

With careful pre-planning, the nature of the activity and the high staffing ratios will usually allow each course to provide challenging learning opportunities and a sense of personal value and achievement for students of all levels of attainment. Levels of support for students whose attainment is significantly different to expected norms can be agreed at the pre-planning meetings or by contacting the course co-ordinator.

Responding to pupils diverse learning needs and overcoming potential barriers to learning and assessment for individuals and groups of pupils

The Centre has high expectations of all students. We will endeavour to meet the individual needs of all our students; regard less of race, gender, social and cultural backgrounds. These needs will need to be identified in advance by the visiting schools and communicated to the Centre through pre-course planning meeting or directly to the course co-ordinator so that appropriate strategies agreed.

Use of language across the curriculum

Courses at Trewern provide unique opportunities for students to speak and listen. They will be encouraged to use language precisely and coherently. In order to meet many of the physical and mental challenges they will need to listen to others and to respond and build on their ideas and vies constructively.

Health and Safety

All outdoor activities require that hazards are identified risks assessed. Risk control measures will need to be understood and agreed to ensure the health and safety of themselves and others. The process is , where appropriate, carried out as a group activity.

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