Outdoor Education
Outdoor Education is an integral part of our school curriculum to help our students develop both academically and socially.
Research in Outdoor education has shown that it can develop students to be more:
- resilient,
- accepting of themselves and others,
- self-reliant,
- determined,
- confident in their learning,
- positive when facing challenges,
- effective at working as a team.
As a school we value the importance of these qualities and the impact they have on a student’s learning and development. Our analysis of these trips (from staff, parent and pupil feedback as well as our own observations) have proven them to be overwhelmingly positive experiences. In particular they have helped develop a greater sense of community in our year groups and the change we have observed in some students has been transformational.
In addition to our own findings, research by the Education Endowment Foundation acknowledges the benefits it can bring to a child’s education through the development of meta-cognition and self-regulation which can increase a student’s progress by 4 months.
At Graveney we offer a comprehensive Outdoor Education programme from Year 7 to 13 which includes the following amazing adventures for all students:
- Yr7 - Outward Bound Trip
- Yr8 - Box Hill Overnight Geography Field Studies
- Yr9 – Bronze Duke of Edinburgh Award
- Yr 10 – Silver Duke of Edinburgh Award
- Yr12/13 – Gold Duke of Edinburgh Award
We are incredibly proud of this programme at Graveney which we will continue to invest and expand in so that our students receive the most rewarding and valuable opportunities.
