BPS Adventure School

Welcome to Adventure School

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 in Years 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 in Year 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.

Mat Barnsley, Polaris

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

Programme Objectives

To nurture in all ‘adventurers’:

An adventurous spirit

Effective problem solving & risk management skills

Effective organisation & planning skills

A positive environmental attitude

Leadership potential & skills that promote team cohesion

A breadth of practical knowledge

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

Risk Management and Wellbeing

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.

Should you need to contact Mat or someone from Polaris at any point prior, during or regarding anything about the upcoming trips, please see the contact information below. He can also be reached by posting on their Facebook Page. info@polarisoutdoor.co.uk.

Programme Overview

YEAR 3 CAMP DOWNE

Overview

first off site residential takes them on an introductory survival camp to Downe Campsite, Biggin Hill. Boys will be transported to and from the campsite by our school minibuses. Participants learn the skills needed to survive outdoors in all seasons, developing their bushcraft, shelter building, fire lighting, knife crafting and

skills to an extremely high standard, and finish with the knowledge, attitude and

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.

Team roles

15th - 17th May 2023

Intermediate Survival skills

Beacon Hill, Brighton

£270 pp for 2 nights and 3 days

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 Beacon Hill, Brighton. Boys will be transported to and from campsite by coach. While away, boys will be learning survival skills through intermediate fire lessons and emergency signal fire construction, knife skills, outdoor cooking and fire management classes and having their first foray into navigation and first aid. Before coming home, boys will have a morning walk on the final day where they will foraging and identifying plants and medicines.

Leadership

19th - 22nd June 2023

Adventure Camp Expedition

South Downs Polaris Accommodation Tents

£352pp for 3 nights and 4 days

Year 6 head to the South Downs for an action packed three night expedition to explore this years’ theme of leadership. Boys will be transported to and from the South Downs by coach. The first day starts off at Upper Bleeding and sees the boys hike to Chantry campsite, having training along the way in navigation, trangias cooking and campfires. The second day will see the boys hike to Housedean campsite where they will learn basic knife crafting skills and also cooking food over their own made fire pit. The final day will involve some bushcraft activities and an afternoon on the beach before heading home.

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 Polaris 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 a coach or school mini-bus

Q: What kit do they need?

A: A detailed kit list is included in this presentation

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 and Polaris 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 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