Cambridge Edition November 2019

EDUCAT ION SPOT L IGHT

EDUCAT ION SPOTL IGHT

Le t ’s Go Outsi d e KING’S ELY STUDENT MOLLY WHYMARK LOOKS AT THE POTENTIAL BENEFITS OF OUTDOOR LEARNING

Scheme – in Year 9. She says activities like hill walking and navigation expeditions confirmed how much she loves the outdoors. She has since completed her Bronze and Silver DofE Awards and is currently working towards completing her Gold. Molly said: “Out of the DofE programmes that I have done, my favourite element would have to be the expeditions as I love the challenges and sense of adventure. Being more self- sufficient and finding my way through a range of new and wild locations has helped to shape me as a person and has really developed my team-building and leadership skills.” King’s Ely offers students the chance to undertake their DofE Award at all three levels as part of its Ely Scheme programme, which offers boundless opportunities for pupils to explore and learn through outdoor education. All activities are facilitated by specially selected and trained pupil

region and the first to occupy this role at King’s Ely ever. “I am so pleased to be promoting DofE to our school community and beyond as I find it, and learning outdoors in general, so rewarding. When taking on different challenges and completing expeditions with my friends, we learn to be independent, to appreciate each other’s strengths and to pull together as a team to achieve a shared ambition. “DofE and the outdoor education opportunities on offer at King’s Ely have helped me set achievable goals that have, in turn, developed my courage and initiative. In order to complete the larger DofE Awards, I have learnt to work strategically and plan carefully. I have grown in confidence and I can stand up in front of my peers and present ideas in my classes. Hopefully this growth in confidence will help when it comes to interviews for university, as well as for my future career plans, which will rely on my initiative and courage when I strive to achieve my goals.” Molly was first introduced to King’s Ely’s outdoor education programme – Ely

here are hauls of studies which reveal that young people’s

attitudes to learning and their achievements – in and out of the classroom – improve when they experience as much outdoor education as possible. Outdoor learning is said to improve students’ behaviour, increase school attendance and, most importantly, boost pupils’ physical, mental and social wellbeing. Molly Whymark, aged 16, is reaping the benefits of being at King’s Ely; a school where there is a world of opportunity outside the classroom. Molly was one of the first Duke of Edinburgh’s (DofE) Award Ambassadors to be appointed in Central England earlier this year, meaning she is now actively promoting the benefits of outdoor learning, not just in school, but with schools and students across the region. Molly, who is in Year 12 at King’s Ely Senior, says: “I was appointed DofE Ambassador for King’s Ely in March this year. I was one of the first ambassadors to be appointed in the Central England

instructors, who learn to become exceptional leaders themselves.

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