VIEW FROM THE CLASSROOM
Risky business: how one school is using activities like shotgun shooting and scuba diving to boost resilience
grounds and has been located just outside Croxley Green in Hertfordshire since 1966. While the school excels academically and pastorally, York House is passionate about inspiring a love of learning with a sense of adventure, while celebrating the importance of a ‘genuine childhood’. Offering a high-quality experience in outdoor education with an onsite small holding housing more than 50 animals, the school is also passionate about art, sport, music, drama and all other aspects of the curriculum. The school is committed to nurturing confident, self-reliant pupils in a safe, caring, positive and stimulating environment.
Why do you think children can be more risk averse today?
E
ducation Today speaks to Jon Gray, Headmaster at York House School in Hertfordshire.
Tell us about your school?
York House is an independent prep school for girls and boys aged 3-13 years of age. From September 2026 it will move to an 11+ co- educational model. Founded in 1910 with a rich history, the school is set in 50 acres of stunning
Certainly, since the pandemic, many children are more risk averse than in previous generations and for a combination of reasons. Whether stemming from heightened safety concerns, increased parental supervision or the pervasive influence of technology and social media, children can often shy away from taking risks. Parents are often quite protective too, fearing potential dangers and sometimes this can limit opportunities for childhood exploration and structured risk-taking. Social media and screen
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time is also a barrier to risk as it exposes children to curated and idealised lifestyles, which in turn can increase anxiety around appearance, personal performance and also can induce fears around failure. In some cases, this shift has led to many children prioritising safety and caution over more adventurous pursuits which might push them outside of their comfort zones.
Why is risk-taking so important for children? Risk-taking is crucial for childhood development because it helps to build resilience while encouraging problem-solving skills. Taking risks also helps children to feel more independent and self-reliant – they learn how to confront challenges and cope with failure. Teaching children to understand that we need to fail in order to understand how to succeed, is imperative. Engaging in manageable risks also nurtures a sense of confidence in children when they recognise that they have the ability to succeed and the freedom to try new things. Risk is part of the foundational building blocks for developing robust social skills, learning how to manage conflict, how to negotiate and how to work together as a team. By encouraging exploration, creativity and adaptability, we can help young children to navigate our ever-evolving
November 2025
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