G31 will complete a hike on Thursday 27th August as part of their first week back. Although closely supervised by staff, this will be the students’ first experience navigating with a map in the great outdoors.
To travel further into the countryside, we will be taking the train to Wylam. Because trains on this route run hourly, we may return to school slightly later than usual. We aim to be back by 15:45, but please be aware that any train delays or cancellations could delay our return by up to an hour.
Students will receive a consent form on Tuesday 25th August when they return. This form allows you to provide consent for the late return and to update us on any medical conditions we should be aware of.
This hike requires students to wear suitable walking boots or shoes. If this is not possible, please let your child’s Crew Leader know, as we have spare boots and shoes available for students to borrow.
Retailers like Trespass and Go Outdoors offer quality walking boots and shoes at reasonable prices. A Go Outdoors membership costs £5 and provides discounted pricing on all of their stock.
Students will have the chance to wear these boots again as they develop their navigation skills in year 9.
Below is an excerpt from our core principles regarding the importance of our students spending time in nature:
‘XP Outdoors is an integral part of our learning in our Trust. It is important now, more than ever, for students to actively engage in looking after our natural environment and take responsibility for its future especially in light of the concerns over climate change. Being outdoors in nature has a hugely positive impact on our students’ wellbeing both physically and mentally so getting students outdoors within expeditions and Crew is highly important.
The XP Outdoor curriculum can enhance expeditions and Crew by allowing students to develop additional skills and grow their character. It is also an opportunity to teach students through alternative methods which can benefit students that often struggle in the usual classroom environment. Therefore, in light of the above, we are determined to extend our classrooms outside of our school building, into nature and the wider community.
Watching our children standing on their own two feet is the most magical feeling for parents. Watching them fall can often be the worst, but sometimes we must. There is a saying that goes, “The safest place for a ship is in the harbour, but that is not what ships are built for”.
At XP, we create safe opportunities that support and challenge our students to do more than they thought possible, for them to never accept any less of themselves. These opportunities go beyond just preparing for tests in a classroom. Even beyond our learning expeditions, all our students go on outdoor expeditions.’
More information about year 9 will follow in blog posts in our first week back!
Have a wonderful summer
The year 9 team!
