Subject Lead - Mr James Britton or OutdoorEducation@gts.devon.sch.uk

Here at GTS we believe that our growing outdoor learning provision truly reflects our 6 school values of relationships, respect, health, responsibility, resilience, and opportunity. This translates into our inclusive approach to learning that:

• Involves being outdoors as a central part of the experience
• Is open to all
• Strives to use the outdoor environment as a vehicle for transforming the experience into knowledge, skills, attitudes and behaviours
• Often involves some physical activity
• Always respects the environment
• Is both memorable and fun

Outdoor learning provides opportunities to develop social and emotional resilience which is vitally important for a young person’s life chances through supporting wider learning across the curriculum whilst simultaneously providing essential skills for life in both employment and as part of wider society. 

All pupils have a range of outdoor learning opportunities through the E&I programme and we encourage and welcome all pupils to get involved in at least one per year. Pupils also have the opportunity to participate in the ski trip to Pila, Italy and, on alternate years, an adventurous activity trip to the Ardèche in France.

The Duke of Edinburgh's Award

A life-changing experience. A fun time with friends. An opportunity to discover new interests and talents. A tool to develop essential skills for life and work. A recognised mark of achievement; respected by employers.

The DofE is many things to many people, supporting generations to successfully navigate adult life.

14-24 year-olds can do a DofE programme at one of three progressive levels which, when successfully completed, leads to a Bronze, Silver or Gold Duke of Edinburgh’s Award.

There are four sections to complete at Bronze and Silver level and five at Gold. They involve helping the community/environment, becoming fitter, developing new skills, planning, training for and completing an expedition and, for Gold only, working with a team on a residential activity.

Any young person can do their DofE – regardless of ability, gender, background or location. Achieving an Award isn’t a competition or about being first. It’s all about setting personal challenges and pushing personal boundaries.

Through a DofE programme young people have fun, make friends, improve their self-esteem and build confidence. They gain essential skills and attributes for work and life such as resilience, problem-solving, team-working, communication and drive, enhancing CVs and uni and job applications. Top employers recognise the work-ready skills Award holders bring to their business.

GTS is a Duke of Edinburgh (DofE) centre, giving pupils in Years 9, 10 and 11 the opportunity to obtain either their Bronze or Silver Duke of Edinburgh Award. This runs during term time as an after-school club in C3 (information is displayed on the TV screens around school). It starts on the first Tuesday back after October Half Term and finishes at the end of Spring Term. 

As the DofE Award is very popular we have certain Expectations before you can register for the Scheme in Year 9...

• Your attendance must be above 94%, if unsure fill out the form at the bottom of this page - as we do check!
• Homework must be completed and handed in on time!
• To attend at least 90% of the DofE after-school club on a Tuesday throughout the year
• To be committed to the training programme
• To act appropriately when out on Expeditions – you are representing the school
• To follow all instructions from staff at all times
• To be resilient – it will be tough at times, but well worth it!

With Dartmoor, Exmoor and the North Devon Coast all a short drive from Great Torrington, it's not surprising that we have a thriving and varied outdoor programme. 

We have around 50 pupils participating in the scheme currently and have a good number of qualified and experienced staff to help pupils meet their goals. 

Kit lists and other relevant information to support your DofE are below. 

Costs

Bronze DofE - £60 includes Expedition Cost

Silver DofE - £75 includes Practice Expedition cost; The actual Expedition will depend on where the group plans to go!!

The Bronze Expedition will either be on Dartmoor and/or the Clovelly/ Hartland Area and is usually a weekend in June or July depending on Leader and Expedition Assessor availability. You will only be allowed to partake in the Expedition if you have uploaded evidence onto eDofE and have at least 1 section complete.

Depending on how the Year 9 Group are at Bronze level, there is no requirement to partake in a Practice Expedition, and we may go straight into a "Qualifying Expedition" (see below from the DofE website)...

Participants must be adequately trained to safely complete an expedition in the environment in which they will be operating:

• Bronze: Teams must complete the required training. The after school sessions fulfill this requirement. 

The Silver Practice Expedition will be on South Dartmoor and is usually the first weekend in March - as it runs alongside Ten Tors Camp 1. 

• Silver: Teams must complete the required training and a practice expedition of a minimum 2 days, 2 nights. This means pupils will go down Friday after school for their Practice Expedition and be finished on the Sunday.

The Silver Qualifying Expedition is TBC as it requires 3 full days, plus a day extra for travel if the team has decided to go further a field.

The Qualifying Expedition is priced separately as it depends on where we go, but we have been to Hartland/ Clovelly, Exmoor, Snowdonia and Dartmoor to name a few places.

Ten Tors

Ten Tors (Yr 10 pupils only) - pupils will only be eligible IF they have completed their DofE Bronze Award

The Ten Tors Challenge is attempted by 2,400 teenagers in 400 teams of six. The teams navigate routes of 35, 45 or 55 miles (depending on age) over the Northern half of Dartmoor, visiting ten nominated tors / check points in under two days. Teams must be self-sufficient, carrying all that they need to complete their route and stay out overnight safely.

GTS enters 1x 35 mile team each year and the training programme starts in November and runs through until the Ten Tors event in May.  

Useful websites