Curriculum Justification

Research shows that being and learning in the great outdoors has a positive impact on children of all ages but in particular those from disadvantaged backgrounds. Outdoor adventure learning can provide opportunities for disadvantaged pupils to participate in activities that they otherwise might not be able to access. Through participation in these challenging physical and emotional activities, outdoor adventure learning interventions can support pupils to develop non cognitive skills such as resilience, self-confidence and motivation.

Curriculum Intent

At Chadwick we are proud to be building our new outdoor education programme which will provide opportunities for our pupils to go out into the great outdoors to experience activities such as hiking and camping. Activities such as these help improve the mental health and wellbeing of our pupils and have a huge positive impact on their everyday school experiences.

Although the programme is still in its early stages, pupils have already been out on walks in areas of natural beauty such as Silverdale, Arnside and Scorton, learning about outdoor habitats also developing new skills like navigation. In September pupils will be heading up to the Lake District to walk in Loughrigg, Kentmere and Ullswater.  Each week a diferent group of pupils will go off site walking in an area of local beauty. There will be various routes to choose from covering diferent areas with varying terrain. Some routes may be more challenging than others and pupils will have the opportunity to build up their walking experience and confidence to tackle bigger hikes as they progress and develop new outdoor skills.

Curriculum Map 

 Curriculum Development

Although in its early development, the vision for the Chadwick outdoor education walking programme is to develop a diverse hiking programme that will give pupils the oppportunity to: build and test their skills in different outdoor walking environments, build self resilience, build self confidence, be able to adapt to varying  challenging terrain and move safely over ground, to immerse themselves in new experiences  and activities. Pupils will also get the the opportunity to use their new skills (such as navigation) in different lowland and mountain environments.

Reading and Vocabulary

Pupils will become familiar with the diferent vocabulary and abbreviations used on ordanence survey maps. They will learn about navigation using distance, timing and coordinates and also become familiar with modules associated with Lowland and Mountain Leadership.

British Values

Pupils will learn about how to respect, look after and behave in the outdoors. They will look at land access and different rights of way governed by law and the CROW Act. They will also learn about the three pillars of the countryside code: Respect Everyone, Protect the Environment, Enjoy the Outdoors.

Careers linked to this subject

Outdoor Instructor such as Mountain Leader Assessor or Rock Climbing instructor

Conservationist

Working for the Mountain Training Association or the British Mountaineering Council

Working for the Forestry Commision or National Trust