Outdoor Education
Enabling all students to learn, grow and thrive through structured sessions that support wellbeing, independence and future aspirations
‘There is a growing body of evidence that time spent in outdoor green spaces is vital for
mental health, and that well-managed outdoor learning and adventure activities can be
powerful ways of helping children and young people to develop their emotional and
psychological wellbeing, mental resilience and happiness.’
Introduction
Outdoor Education takes students offsite and exposes them to new activities and locations. The staff work towards building confidence, resilience, and curiosity through hands on experiences on land and on the water. Students develop communication, teamwork, leadership, and problem solving skills while supporting their physical and mental wellbeing. Outdoor Education introduces clear career pathways in areas such as marine sustainability, outdoor instructor roles, conservation, tourism and emergency services.
Meet the Maths Department
Mission Statement and Intended Outcome
Foundation
Outdoor Education in founded on the Outdoor Education Adviser’s Panel’s three basic premises;
1. Well planned and facilitated opportunities to learn in the real world, away from the classroom, and to experience adventure, help to improve the lives of young people.
2. Facilitating learning outside or off-site does not need to be more difficult than inside a classroom. Planning and management should, therefore, be practical, proportionate, and non-bureaucratic.
3. The key to effective and successful outdoor learning and off-site visits is: The right leaders doing the right activities with the right young people in the right places at the right times.
Structure
Outdoor Education is built around the students’ interests, accessibility needs, local businesses, charities, funding and locality. Each student is taken into consideration for each session. The students have the opportunity to gain AQA Unit Awards - recognition of their attendance and accomplishments - and National Governing Body qualifications and certification -their first step in gaining employment within a specific outdoor industry.
To enable sustainability and progression of the provision and what it can offer the students, Outdoor Education staff follow the structure of observe, take part, qualify, teach.
One Pupil, One Plan – Session Accessibility with SEND
Outdoor Education uses all student information and resources available along with strong existing relational practise to create appropriate sessions for each student. By doing this, the provision provides for as many students as possible to give them as high a chance as possible of attending, participating, achieving and progressing.
Intended Outcomes
Outdoor Education has and will continue to evolve to make sure the provision offers as much as it can for the current cohort of students. Progression, recognition, qualifications and career aspirations are offered to each year group through;
Personal Development Outcomes;
Such as
1. Physical and mental health
2. Self-esteem and peer relationships
3. Trust and respect
4. Confidence, resilience and independence
Professional Development Outcomes;
1. National Governing Body Qualifications
2. AQA Unit Awards
3. Careers Soft Skills
4. Careers Gastby Benchmarks
5. From September 2026 – Duke of Edinburgh Bronze Award
"M was very reluctant to participate in any sports before DLC…but now enjoys every outdoor session she is able to participate in. Loves the staff and she feels, and is, the communication is great. Complete turn around from previous school."
"Outdoor Education at DLC has been amazing for my daughter. She initially was anxious about going off site but staff have been so supportive and kind, she now looks forward to going out in the minibus with her class each week She loves the range of activities, archery, speed boat trips, walks, ringos at ski slopes, fossil hunting. Outdoor Education has opened her world and got her experiencing things she would have previously been reluctant to. Seeing her confidence grow means everything to me."
"I think Outdoor Education has been the thing that has levelled my son. The mix of
movement and connection with the outdoors has really helped him settle for learning
in between. And it’s working! His attendance is better, his confidence is better and his
mental health is better. I can see the delight when he comes home talking about biking
or playing man hunt in the forest. I loved that he got to practise not only his water sports
skills when he did windsurfing but also made friends with the coaches and practised
being in a group of kids; something that was overwhelming for him for a long time. Being
outdoors has been an invaluable part of his mental and physical health recovery and
it’s been positive in all areas of his life. Massive thanks to the DLC team for that! But
they already know how amazing and important it is and so are they!"
Case Studies
Through Outdoor Education’s funded watersports sessions, this student was exposed to windsurfing and paddleboarding within a safe environment with people they knew. The watersports centre noticed they were a natural windsurfer and offered a space on the afterschool club. The student attended, progressed in a new sport, met and conversed with new peers and Olympic windsurfers training on the day. These sessions had a hugely positive impact on the mental and physical health of the student.
Year 10 Student
Case Studies
Year 9 Student
Outdoor Education was able to start offering students exposure to indoor bouldering with an external provider. Already building on the student’s confidence to leave site in the DLC van, they attempted a new sport led by an unfamiliar adult. The enjoyment they experienced led them to attend after school sessions at the climbing centre, on their own accord, whilst meeting new peers, building relationships with trusted adults and being
around those who are experienced in the sport.
Independence Pyramid
Outdoor Education works with students to improve personal development goals. One of the goals being independence. If a child has independence they have confidence, knowledge and personal accountability amongst many other positives. Students put themselves where they feel they are on the Independence Pyramid. Staff then work with students informing them on how to work up the scale whilst seeing them take more ownership and accountability of their preparation.
External Providers who help us make Outdoor Education what it is
