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THE PINNACLE OF PERSE-ONAL DEVELOPMENT Arming pupils with agency and autonomy while satisfying a desire for adventure, outdoor education is deeply embedded into The Perse School’s curriculum. Head of outdoor education Ben Parker tells us more F or over a century, outdoor education has been an intrinsic part of The Perse School’s programme – evolving
Reaching new heights, years 8 to 10 represent Ascent Group, where PES pupils begin to truly climb the mountain by forming autonomous teams. Drawing inspiration from scouting patrols, these teams embark on multi-day residential trips across the UK. Here, students take charge of planning and executing their expeditions – honing their leadership, teamwork and logistical skills along the way. This involves planning budgets, buying food and producing all the meals at camp. These meals are also served to the staff, reinforcing the idea of pupils acting as an independent unit, led by quartermasters assigned for camp and food preparation. “They also have a patrol leader who is responsible for leading the group. This progresses from year 8 onwards. In year 10, those figures become known as Bears or Stags and lead groups of up to 300 pupils on various excursions, with patrol leaders operating independently under those key figures,” explains Ben. Such excursions might include a ten- day camping trip to the Isle of Wight, with pupils organising all the key logistics from booking a coach, to arranging the itinerary, securing venues and putting together a meal plan. “From year 8 to 10, it’s a significant growth period for this Ascent Group, built entirely on the idea of delegative leadership and creating autonomous teams.” SCALING THE PEAKS In year 10, students transition into the Summit and Peak series, boasting diverse pathways for exploration and personal growth. The Peak series follows the Duke of Edinburgh programme – offering bronze, silver and gold levels – allowing students to challenge themselves and earn accolades.
from its origins as a scouting unit into the dynamic Perse Exploration Society (PES). With a commitment to fostering a love for exploration and adventure, the outdoor education department orchestrates more than 20 trips and weekly meetings each year, engaging a diverse membership comprising over 700 students, 20 staff and 30 volunteers. Although PES currently runs from year 7 to sixth form, this is due to extend down to year 3 in the coming years, complementing the curriculum-based learning already in place for this age group. “We base the structure of PES on the concept of ascending a mountain,” says Ben Parker, head of outdoor education. “Essentially, it’s a programme of progressive exposure to the outdoors.” A JOURNEY BEGINS The foundations of outdoor learning are cemented at the prep school stage (years 3 to 6), where PES Trailblazers introduces students to the fundamentals of the outdoors. Here, they begin to learn about the environment and cultivate essential skills such as basic cookery and hygiene, while understanding the concept of resilience and an appreciation for nature. Transitioning into upper school (year 7 to 11), students reach Base Camp. This stage consolidates the foundational knowledge while also introducing camp craft. For many, the highlight of this phase is the end-of-year 7 camp out, where students forge lasting bonds and further their outdoor experience with other responsibilities such as purchasing and cooking food independently.
Meanwhile, the Summit series presents advanced, higher-cost and more technically challenging expeditions to destinations like Sweden for an immersive bushcraft and canoeing experience, or high-altitude mountaineering in the Himalayas as part of Summit 12. These transformative experiences offer invaluable opportunities for cultural exchange and exposure to physically demanding environments. BEYOND THE CLASSROOM While PES forms the core of outdoor education at The Perse, the school also offers a rich tapestry of extracurricular activities to cater to diverse interests. These clubs, such as Paddlesport, were born from the desire of pupils who had taken part in various PES excursions to continue activities in greater detail and on a regular basis. Other popular examples include archery, climbing and woodworking, each providing students with the avenues to deepen their skills and embark on specialised trips. Supported by state-of-the-art facilities such as a new climbing wall and swimming pool, students can immerse themselves in regular training and world-class coaching experiences, like weekly sessions on the Lee Valley White Water Centre course. From navigating the rapids of Scotland’s River Spey to crafting a canoe from
We interpret outdoor learning entirely from a pupil’s position
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