Alternative Provision Programme at Robertsbridge C.C.

The Peak Adventure is an outdoor based education programme with mental health and wellbeing at its core. Participants will embark on a journey through our four personal values and explore how having an adventurous mindset can help to develop these.

THE PROVISION

The programme uses the FOUR elements of the John Muir Award – Discover, Explore, Conserve and Share – as sub-sections in which the activities and learning will take place. This helps to build not only a successful award scheme but also a well-rounded understanding of what impact having an adventurous mindset has on the environment, the community and ourselves.

The activities undertaken are designed to be fun but also to challenge participants around the four personal values. We can then work on having a positive impact in these areas.

Participants will spend three days a week (Wednesday – Friday, 9.15am - 2.20pm) as part of the programme over a five-week period with Monday and Tuesday spent in school as normal days. They will then spend one day a week (Tuesdays) for five weeks the following term so that we can support reintegration back into school.

Participants, parent/carers and school staff will be invited to attend a graduation event at the end of the programme to celebrate the participants achievements.

Our personal values and measurements

Objectives &
Outcomes

We aim to improve the health, wellbeing, self-esteem and belonging of participants through increased social contact and contact with nature. This provides opportunities for young people to feel they are part of something and can make a positive difference.

By working in partnership with their school our aim is to have a positive impact on the participants opinion of the institutions they are part of and how they can support and nurture their development.

We support an expansive, creative and open mindset. Activities are crafted so that young people find their own solutions, ask for support when they require, collaborate with others and discuss and explore new ways of thinking about solutions.

The programme provides a multitude of opportunities for young people to meet and work with adults from a range of backgrounds and industries. This will help to develop and strengthen positive relationships with adults.

The programme develops resilience, self-efficacy, problem-solving, communication, relationship building, aspirations and supports positive mental health.

The programme will promote and explore the idea of being adventurous. Having an adventurous mind-set encourages creativity and supports us to overcome challenges.

Participant Profile

  • Years 7 – 9 dependent on cohort/term.

  • History of low attendance and/or persistent absence.

  • Uses abusive language regularly.

  • History of fixed term suspensions.

  • Disengaged with the education system.

  • Regularly disruptive behaviour and struggles to work in large classes.

  • Low level of resilience and/or fears failure.

  • Lacks self-confidence.

  • Displays risk taking behaviours beyond appropriate boundaries.

  • Finds it difficult to form positive relationships with peers and/or adults.

“I think about things more now and use more positive language”
— TPA Participant

JOHN MUIR AWARD

The John Muir Award is an environmental award scheme focused on wild places. It is inclusive, accessible and non-competitive, though should challenge each participant. The Award encourages awareness and responsibility for the natural environment through a structured yet adaptable scheme, in a spirit of fun, adventure and exploration. The award criteria consists of the following four elements;

Discover

Identify a wild place, or multiple places, on which to focus your John Muir Award activity. 

Explore

Consider how to experience, enjoy and find out more about your wild place.

Conserve

Care for your wild place, take personal responsibility, make a difference and put something back.

Share

Let others know what you’ve done – your achievements, feelings, what you learned – celebrate!

To arrange a meeting to discuss how the Peak Adventure programme can benefit your students, please get in touch with Connie or Andy, who will be happy to help:

connie@thepeakadventure.co.uk
07756532404