Success Stories

Scenario:
A child in school who was becoming dysregulated with the curriculum offer which lead to his disengagement within learning in a classroom environment with specific expectations.
Within discussions with members of staff in school, this pupil disclosed that not only did he find his Outdoor Education provision enjoyable, but also the prospect of helping people out.

Provision Provided:
Based on this discussion, it was then decided that he would become a student member of the Outdoor Education team, working closely with the members of staff in the department to support their provision.
Voluntarily, the pupil went away and bought his own equipment to help support and became a consistent figure within the curriculum offer. Within this agreement, the pupil would work with the members of staff in Outdoor Education to complete his core subjects.

Impact:
Based on the provision provided, the pupil progressed and achieved specific Outdoor Education qualifications such as ‘Swim England Awards’ and ‘Rookie Lifeguard awards’. Whilst supporting the curriculum in an offsite swimming centre, the pupil was provided with the opportunity to gain work experience at that swimming centre based on his natural ability to mentor and coach the younger people in the group.
Members of staff in the Outdoor Education team, along with the careers team, managed to organise the work experience at the swimming centre, where the pupil is now in part-time employment as a lifeguard and progressing through swimming teacher qualifications. Along with this, the pupil now also has aspirations to complete a ‘Land and Wave – Outdoor Instructor’ course when he finishes his post 16 studies.

Student testimony supporting this:
“When joining Lamledge in March 2019, I was a challenging student up until year 9. I wouldn’t follow school rules and was one more incident away from being asked not to go back and to find another school that could support me and how I was. While joining Outdoor Education full time in September 2021, it’s opened me up to a lot more opportunities in life. It allowed me to see what I can really do and what I am capable of. It’s help me to build relationships with staff I would’ve never spoke to around school and to trust them. I now have a bond with most nearly all staff. When outdoors, it allows me to be open more about myself and to talk to people about stuff. Without being given the opportunity to take part in outdoor education, I probably wouldn’t be at Lamledge and would be nowhere within education.

Alongside just helping out in Outdoor Education, I have also gained my qualifications higher. This includes, NNAS Silver, Go MTB Level 3, NICAS Level 3, Stage 6 Swimming, Paddle Sport Award and DOFE Bronze Award.

Outdoor Education had helped build my confidence and trust in other people.

Alongside doing Outdoor Education, I still do all of my main GCSE Lessons such as Maths, English, Food Technology and BTEC Sport award, which I now also engage more and focus in.”