It is the greatest professional privilege to lead the new outdoor education programme at Bickley Park School. Building on our Pioneering Spirit we are proud to deliver ‘Bickley Park Adventure School’, a progressive and stimulating programme for all students inYears 3 - 8.
Today, living in a risk-averse and digital culture, many of the lessons I learnt from adventure are at risk of becoming ‘endangered’.Working with the most respected adventure providers across the UK and underpinned by robust risk management and contemporary adventure pedagogy, the programme provides exciting learning opportunities across a breadth of interdisciplinary domains.
Each camp and adventurous journey has been carefully constructed to nurture inter- and intrapersonal growth through challenging and meaningful experiences, transferable to the classroom and beyond. One example of this is that by teaching students to be reflective, they become active in making decisions and managing risk, thus developing their ability to exercise good judgement.
Starting gently inYear 3, the level of challenge gradually increases year on year. By adjusting environmental, technical and self-sufficient complexity, we aim to build the students of tomorrow with the skills and confidence to plan and undertake their own independent adventurous journeys.
ElliottWilkins
Bickley Park School Adventure Mission
At Bickley Park School we believe that education goes beyond books, bricks and mortar. Our programme of outdoor and adventurous learning has been carefully constructed to nurture inter-and intrapersonal growth, transferable to and beyond the classroom, helping students prepare for a future that is indefinable.
Our mission is to develop creativity through exploration, build resilience through challenge and foster environmental, individual and social responsibility through journey and service.
We believe in creating the leaders of tomorrow with learning opportunities that stimulate and inspire the confidence to act, think critically and adapt to change with compassion, empathy and integrity
To nurture in all ‘adventurers’:
Programme Objectives
An adventurous spirit
Effective problem solving & risk management skills
A positive environmental attitude
Leadership potential & skills that promote team cohesion
A breadth of practical knowledge
Effective organisation & planning skills
Refined reflective practice skills
Task not ego driven,focus on success
Cogent and critical decision making
Confidence with self-directed learning
Individual and social responsibility
Flexibility in adapting to change
Curriculum Modules
The programme targets key learning objectives structured around six modules that increase in complexity and / or demand as learners progress through the school.An overview of each module aim is detailed below:
Sustainable
Outdoor Practice
Exploration Planning & Prep
Aims to promote environmental awareness, management and conservation
Prepare the understanding required to plan solo exploration of environments
Health &Wellbeing
Outdoors
Explore the physiological & psychological demands of taking part in outdoor activities
Outdoor Leadership
To nurture leadership potential & develop skill sets that promote team cohesion
Managing Risk & Solving Problems
Health &Wellbeing
Outdoors
Promote safe practice with dynamic strategies to solve problems & issues independently across concerning risk management
Develop practical skills to function safely and different outdoor environments
Risk Management andWellbeing
In order to promote a positive and meaningful experience, wherever possible, Bickley Park School encourages ‘challenge by choice’, empowering students to set their own goals and levels of engagement.
By definition ‘adventure’ carries a degree of risk and uncertainty. However, when carefully managed,‘risk and uncertainty’ provides an effective platform from which to nurture strong inter-and intrapersonal skills.Therefore ‘risk’ is calculated from the perspective that when carefully managed, it enables learning through adventure, not restricts it.
We meticulously cross check providers risk assessments, standard and emergency procedures against:
1. Bickley Park School activity risk assessments, standard and emergency procedures.
2. British National Governing Body recommendations associated with each adventurous activity.
3. National centres of excellence activity risk assessments, standard and emergency procedures.
4. Bickley Park School health and safety policy.
Whilst this process affords us confidence with our providers, risk assessments are always treated as ‘ongoing’ and ‘dynamic’.
Staff and students are active stakeholders in managing the risk of each activity which together with a high staff to student ratio ensures a collective responsibility regarding safety.
You can follow our adventures on our social media accounts
Should you need to contact someone at any point prior, during or regarding anything about the upcoming trips, please see the contact information below.
ewilkins@bickleyparkschool.co.uk
Programme Overview
Students first off site residential takes them on an introductory survival camp to Cuffley Campsite, Hertfordshire. Boys will be transported to and from the campsite by Redwing Coaches. Participants learn the skills needed to survive outdoors in all seasons, developing their bushcraft, orienteering, fire lighting, construction and survival skills to an extremely high standard, and finish with the knowledge, attitude and skills necessary to thrive in even the most challenging of situations and environments. Since for many this will be their first experience undertaking these skills, the theme of this camp is ‘safe enjoyment’ and is supported by a high pastoral and technical staff to student ratio.
Year 3 Kit List
Please note this list is basic kit list.A full packing list will be made available to you nearer to departure
❏ Waterproof walking shoes / hiking boots
❏ Full set of spare clothes in case you get wet
❏ Waterproof (rainproof) trousers and jacket
❏ Hiking trousers (not jeans)
❏ Suitable and enough of underwear and socks
❏ Tough water bottle (non plastic)
❏ Toiletries including towel
❏ Bowl/plate and spoon, knife & fork or spork
Students explore what makes a cohesive team and the diverse roles needed for success in the theme this year.Their second camp takes them away for two nights in Penshurst Place,Tonbridge. Boys will be transported to and from campsite by school minibuses.While away, boys will be learning survival skills through camouflage and concealment, fire lighting, construction, trap making, outdoor cooking and having their first foray into navigation and wilderness first aid. Before coming home, boys will have a morning walk on the final day where they will foraging and identifying plants
Year 4 Kit List
Please note this list is a basic kit list.A full packing list will be made available to you nearer to departure
❏ Waterproof walking shoes / hiking boots
❏ Full set of spare clothes in case you get wet
❏ Waterproof (rainproof) trousers and jacket
❏ Hiking trousers (not jeans)
❏ Suitable and enough of underwear and socks
❏ Sleeping bag (3-4 season) and 5mm sleeping roll mat
❏ Tough water bottle (non plastic)
❏ Toiletries including towel
❏ Bowl/plate and spoon, knife & fork or spork
YEAR 5 BOUGHTONWOODS
Theme Problem Solving
Dates
18th - 20th June 2025
Adventure Camp Advanced Survival Skills
Location BoughtonWoods
Provider Bushcraft Company
Accommodation Safari style Bell tents
Cost Estimated at £355pp for 2 nights and 3 days
Overview
A coach ride will take the boys to BoughtonWoods for a packed two night stay exploring problem based learning, while also enhancing their personal and social development. Boys spend the first day getting their shelter for the nights ahead ready using basic knife skills, as well as learning basic campfire skills along the way.There will also be some ‘micro adventures’ while away that will see the boys learn new skills, such as trapping, navigation, camouflage and concealment target sports and some SOS scenarios as well.
Year 5 Kit List
Please note this list is a basic kit list.A full packing list will be made available to you nearer to departure
❏ Waterproof walking shoes / hiking boots
❏ Full set of spare clothes in case you get wet
❏ Waterproof (rainproof) trousers and jacket
❏ Hiking trousers (not jeans)
❏ Suitable and enough of underwear and socks
❏ Sleeping bag (3-4 season) and 5mm sleeping roll mat
❏ Tough water bottle (non plastic)
❏ Toiletries including towel
❏ Bowl/plate and spoon, knife & fork or spork
YEAR 6 SEALYHAM
Theme
Dates
Leadership
9th - 13th June 2025
Adventure Camp Adventure Skills
Location Sealyham,Wales
Provider Active Learning Centre
Accommodation Dorms
Cost
Estimated at £725pp for 4 nights and 5 days
Overview
For their first adventurous journey, boys will travel by Redwing Coaches to Sealyham, spending four nights by the coast. Here, the boys will learn how to navigate, both in the day and the night, via specific challenges set up for them by the ALC staff, have training in coasteering and then use these skills to canoe/kayak down river, learn natural crag climbing techniques, night walks and work in teams to achieve the goals that have been set for them.This is all set in within the private 100 acres that are on site.
Year 6 Kit List
Please note this list is a basic kit list.A full packing list will be made available to you nearer to departure
❏ Waterproof walking shoes / hiking boots
❏ Full set of spare clothes in case you get wet
❏ Waterproof (rainproof) trousers and jacket
❏ Hiking trousers (not jeans)
❏ Suitable and enough of underwear and socks
❏ Tough water bottle (non plastic)
❏ Toiletries including towel
❏ Bowl/plate and spoon, knife & fork or spork
This year students reflect on the theme of responsibility.A coach journey takes Years 7&8 to Howtown for a packed four night stay. Students spend their first day getting to know their surroundings, followed by a jog and jump into the lake, fully immersing them into the Outward Bound experience.The following day will involve breakfast in the morning and some basic lake Kayak/canoe training.There will also be activities such as rock climbing, gorging, navigation and also an overnight expedition through
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Do we need to provide food and equipment while our boys are away?
A: No, all the food and equipment used on the trips will be supplied, sourced, prepared and provided by providers for the duration of the trip
Q: How are the boys being transported to and from trips?
A: Included within the cost of trip is transportation.This will either be via Redwing Coaches or school minibus
Q:What kit do they need?
A:A basic kit list is included in this presentation with a full kit list to follow closer to trip departure.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q:What happens if boys don’t want to participate in an activity while away?
A:All boys will be encouraged and supported by staff to participate in all activities.There are fall back options on each trip if there is a certain activity a boy doesn’t want to do, in order to make sure that they are still involved and enjoying their time.
Q: Health
and Safety?
A:All the relevant risk assessments have been made by external providers and all staff are first aid trained. Staffing ratios/supervision while away will be as low as 1:6
Q: Can my son take his mobile phone?
A: No, mobile phones and all electronics will be left at home.This is to make sure all boys are fully immersed in their activities and experience. BPS staff accompanying the trip will have the school mobile with them for any emergency contact
