HAILSHAM COMMUNITY COLLEGE
It all begins with an idea.
EHW director Andy Bradbury spent three years working in the alternative provision facility, Aspire, at Hailsham Community College. During this time he and the students developed an unused corner of the school field into a stunning outdoor learning area including wild areas, a pond, fire pits, vegetable patches and a hand made, timber outdoor classroom.
Since Andy left HCC to work on the Peak Adventure full-time the school have set up a partnership with EHW for the Peak Adventure Programme to be implemented to a variety of student groups every week.
Bespoke sessions are run on these days for young people from all year groups and levels of need including nurture groups, ASD groups, behaviour groups and also an after school club. The college uses the Peak Adventure programme and App which helps with student engagement and builds a unique portfolio of the journey each student has been on throughout the programme.
We are also involved in organising and delivering the schools summer school for students transitioning from year 6 to year 7. Over 200 young people attend this fantastic week of fun outdoor learning activities in which all participants worked towards achieving their John Muir Award.
“The students really enjoy the adventure programme and look forward to it all week. They love having an outside lesson and being able to burn off some steam. The activities are fun and always different with a reflection on nature.”
“An inspirational learning process that supports risk taking and develops independence, confidence and self-esteem whilst having fun in nature.”
“After and adventure session I can feel like I have relaxed and any worries that I came to school with feel a lot better.”
“I really enjoy going down to the outdoor classroom, it makes me feel calm. I like being outdoors, it’s relaxing.”
“It’s learning and fun at the same time.”
“I really love all the different activities we do down at the garden. It feels like we are really out in the country somewhere but when I look around it’s hard to believe that we are still at school.”
“It really encourages me to do things I have never done before, like cutting wood and making things. I am really enjoying making the planters and looking forward to watching the flowers grow.”
— Students from HCC
CAVENDISH SCHOOL
It all begins with an idea.
We were very proud to be asked by Cavendish School to partner with them to implement an outdoor learning programme and also to develop their outdoor learning facility with the students to create an inspiring outdoor nurture space.
We worked with Cavendish School all day every Friday where we worked with a variety of different groups.
Our sessions were split between students from the The Route alternative provision facility and two key stage 3 nurture groups. These students take part in a variety of outdoor activities including fire craft, conservation, local hikes and development of the nurture garden. All students were also embarking on the John Muir Award whilst following the our Peak Adventure programme.
We worked with all the students involved to develop and landscape a beautiful outdoor nurture garden and build a pole framed outdoor classroom which can be used everyday for interventions and outdoor learning sessions.
““Peak Adventure have a comprehensive programme that engages the young people who attend each week. The staff are knowledgeable, friendly and amazing with the young people, some of who have additional needs. The programme is age appropriate and exciting for the young people to take part in. They look forward to our outdoor sessions, this in turn has a positive effect on them engaging with other lessons. I have enjoyed watching them take ownership of the community project in developing our wild space and spend time outdoors constructively.””
"We can't wait for our sessions with Andy, he is fun."
"We learnt how to make fire, it's like science but fun."
"This is the best part of the week."
— Students from CS
DOWNS JUNIOR SCHOOL
It all begins with an idea.
Starting as a case study for a masters degree in education, completed by EHW director James, Downs Junior was the first school that we partnered with. We worked full time with this unique and forward thinking school for two years implementing after school clubs and alternative provision interventions throughout the school week.
By harnessing the income from their out of school hours services and available funding our partnership with Downs has enabled us to provide the school with two members of highly qualified staff. These staff have successfully implemented a popular and exciting after school adventure club and bespoke outdoor interventions for identified student groups. Once the programmes were fully established we were able to hand back running of these successful programmes to the school to keep them financial sustainable and quality assured in house.
“Working with The Peak Adventure, we have found them to be professional and accommodating with the best interest of the pupils being the key to decisions being made. This reflects on their being set up as a Community Interest Company, as profit making does not exist as a core driver. Children’s feedback has also indicated that they feel better within themselves for having taken part.”
"It's made me more interested in nature."
“It's good to be with other children from younger groups."
"I like to make my own games in nature."
"Using a flint and still was so hard but then I got the right angle and got it first time."
“It was like a break in case you were fizzy or something. It made me happy when I did it. I want to do it again."
"It's really good because we get to play loads of games and sometimes we make our own games."
“It's interactive - we play team building games."
"It's always a really big event if you find something like a big worm."
"I love every single thing. We learn new skills."
"Me and my family are going to go camping soon - I might be able to use my wood skills."
— Students from DJHS