Hailsham Community College
EHW director Andy Bradbury spent three years working in the alternative provision facility, Aspire, at Hailsham Community College. During this time he and the students developed an unused corner of the school field into a stunning outdoor learning area including wild areas, a pond, fire pits, vegetable patches and a hand made, timber outdoor classroom.
Since Andy left HCC to work on the Peak Adventure full-time the school have set up a partnership with EHW for the Peak Adventure Programme to be implemented to a variety of student groups every week.
Bespoke sessions are run on these days for young people from all year groups and levels of need including nurture groups, ASD groups, behaviour groups and also an after school club. The college uses the Peak Adventure programme and App which helps with student engagement and builds a unique portfolio of the journey each student has been on throughout the programme.
We are also involved in organising and delivering the schools summer school for students transitioning from year 6 to year 7. Over 200 young people attend this fantastic week of fun outdoor learning activities in which all participants worked towards achieving their John Muir Award.
“The students really enjoy the adventure programme and look forward to it all week. They love having an outside lesson and being able to burn off some steam. The activities are fun and always different with a reflection on nature.”
“An inspirational learning process that supports risk taking and develops independence, confidence and self-esteem whilst having fun in nature.”
“After and adventure session I can feel like I have relaxed and any worries that I came to school with feel a lot better.”
“I really enjoy going down to the outdoor classroom, it makes me feel calm. I like being outdoors, it’s relaxing.”
“It’s learning and fun at the same time.”
“I really love all the different activities we do down at the garden. It feels like we are really out in the country somewhere but when I look around it’s hard to believe that we are still at school.”
“It really encourages me to do things I have never done before, like cutting wood and making things. I am really enjoying making the planters and looking forward to watching the flowers grow.”
— Students from HCC