Moving to ‘High Adventures’

Adventure steps up a gear, as pupils move from ‘accessible adventures’ towards ‘high adventures’. They begin to take on more challenging activities, testing their personal resilience, strength and determination.

In the Autumn Term, every pupil in the Fourth Form spends a day and a night on the Jolie Brise, this is very much a right of passage for Dauntsey’s pupils. For some this will be their first foray into the world of sailing and for many it is the start of a life-long love of sailing. Whilst on board, pupils learn what life at sea is like; they learn to sail (and quickly put these new skills to test), cook for themselves and importantly bond with their fellow sailors and new house mates. After they have completed their 24 hours on board, they become eligible to join the Dauntsey’s Sailing Club and sign up for the Easter and Summer Cruises that run each year.

“Sailing on Jolie Brise is a big confidence builder. I see our pupils walking taller when they come off the boat.”

-Toby Marris, Head of Sailing

Jolie Brise, arguably one of the most famous tall ships in the world, has been sailed and maintained by pupils from Dauntsey’s for 45 years - pupils have sailed her across the Atlantic six times, crossed the Bay of Biscay 10 times, and navigated up to 200 miles inside the Arctic Circle. She has always played, and continues to play, an important role in the lives of our pupils.

Fourth Form also have the opportunity to participate in our very own Trek to the Stones. This is a self-led independent expedition that sees pupils walking from the school to the famous stone circle at Avebury, camping overnight on the way. Teams choose their own routes, with most opting to cover more than 50km over two days.

The Middle School Adventure Programme allows pupils to start pushing their own personal boundaries, within a safe, structured and challenging framework. Pupils are encouraged to start taking charge and organising things for themselves and in turn becoming more organised; they are taught to understand and evaluate the risks involved in their chosen adventures and they learn the importance of working alongside others in order to increase their chance of success - all important lessons for life.