LEARNING GAP
Transition from Primary to Secondary school courses are run regularly by The Trust, with the aim of supporting young people as they move into secondary education. Learning Outcomes include increasing awareness of the students’ skills and abilities, improving confidence, self- belief, and the ability to listen and communicate effectively. Exercises designed to increase resilience, determination, independence, responsibility, accountability and time- management are practiced in a wilderness setting where students’ awareness of and concern for the natural environment is part and parcel of the overall experience. Outward Bound transition courses are tailored
to the specific needs of individual schools so that in the case of XP school, the learning outcomes are woven into school-specific principles. For XP students all activities are done in crews such as gorge walking, overnight expeditions and
kayaking. Reflections on the days’ activities allow students to explore ‘appreciations’ of individuals who have excelled within the crew that day. This reflective experience is very powerful. As Gwyn ap Harri explains: “Those four days are worth at least six months’ work in school. As experienced teachers, we see Year 7s and see how quickly they form purposeful, positive relationships with peers and teachers - it’s unbelievable! Every student has a voice. It’s not just the case of an Outward Bound residential, then back in school with no connection - it’s all connection. It’s intense and experiential. A powerful culture is established.” Staff, Outward Bound instructors and students
use the week to set expectations for their entire school career. Phil Nichol, Senior Instructor and Operations
Manager at Aberdovey centre who lead the first XP School course comments: “During their week
with us we challenged students on any behaviours which did not tie in to the school ethos and reminded them of the key ‘character traits’ which form the cornerstone of everything they will be expected to do in school. Explicitly and implicitly, these character traits guide their school career as well as their character development. The end result, seen during the presentation on the last day, is a tangible journey from a group of somewhat disjointed individuals from different primary feeder schools to a crew looking forward to the exciting new education experience they are about to embark on.” What of the young people who experience this
rite of passage? Inevitably, not all children are open to the challenges, but it can be a life- changing week. Mary, a Year 7 student in 2014 comments: “I
was terrified to go on the Outward Bound trip … I cried so much on the ride to Wales that they had to stop the bus. But we got there and had to climb and get out on the ocean and everything, I was braver than I thought I was. I’m kind of a different person now.” Another student Amman now in Year 8
comments: “We do better work here because of the Outward Bound spirit. That means you push yourself past what you think you can do, and you push everyone else, too. None of us have ever worked this hard.” XP School has yet to have a full OFSTED
inspection, but they have received enthusiastic feedback from the inspectors who have visited so far. One of them said “I can’t believe I’m talking to 12 year olds!” A parallel, separate, autonomous but linked school, called XP East is currently being built, so that in August 2017, 100 students will be off to the Outward Bound Centre in Aberdovey to engage in the process of transitioning from primary to secondary and preparing to be ready for their new school and the year of learning ahead.
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www.education-today.co.uk July/August 2016
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