Developing an outdoor education programme
St David’s College has an outstanding outdoor education and activities programme that lies at the heart of the school’s life and mission to foster pupils’ spiritual, intellectual and physical wellbeing. This programme includes a range of enriching cultural, recreational and sporting opportunities as well as specific ‘compassion’ projects to enhance and extend pupils’ learning experiences.
Pupils participate enthusiastically in the engaging, challenging and exhilarating outdoor education and expedition programme that includes a fortnightly full day’s activity for all pupils up to Year 10 with the option of further extension into Year 12 and 13 with a BTEC in Outdoor and Adventurous Activities. All pupils participate in the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award with many developing valuable teamwork and leadership skills and achieving high success rates at all levels.
Pupils also have valuable opportunities to take part in stimulating international trips and pursuits such as husky sledding in Sweden, surfing in Lanzarote and scuba diving in the Mediterranean.
Overall, the outdoor education and activities programme makes a fundamental and extensive contribution to pupils’ skills, personal development, health and wellbeing. It supports pupils extremely well to show respect and tolerance, take responsibility for themselves and others, to develop resilience and to acquire confidence and self-esteem; all of which can be transferred back into the classroom.
The school’s ethos encourages all members of the community to develop compassion, respect and tolerance for others. For example, the school has established a valuable partnership with a local food bank to which pupils regularly donate food and provide Christmas presents for children in the community. There are valuable and regular opportunities for pupils to develop their understanding of the wider world and to reflect on important issues that impact on their lives and the lives of others. An annual trip to Uganda and close links to schools in that country helps pupils to learn about the challenges experienced by children living in remote parts of Africa. These activities encourage pupils to develop respectful attitudes and secure values and beliefs.