Universities & Colleges

At Outdoor Adventure we tailor our provision to suit the diverse needs of Universities and Colleges. This can range from programmes where the emphasis is on fun and learning new sports through to focusing on modules of undergraduate sports science degree courses.

Programmes available

  • Activity Weeks
  • Personal Development
  • Team Building/Leadership
  • Environmental Awareness

plus

Post 14 and 16 Examination Courses

Initial Teacher Training for Physical Education Students

Undergraduate Sport Science Degree Courses

Activities Available

Evening Programme

Centre Capacity, Accommodation, Facilities & Food

Key Reasons Why Universities and Colleges choose our Centre

 

Post 14 and 16 Examination Courses
The new specifications for qualifications for post 14 and 16 continue to include O & AA options as part of the practical options for both A Level modules, linking theory with the practical context. The new specifications for GNVQ A Level leisure and recreation also include a specific Outdoor Adventure Activities unit and other practically based units offering a range of O & AA options for students to be assessed in. At Outdoor Adventure we can offer expert tuition in these areas and can also support teachers in the assessment process, helping students to compile a portfolio of evidence to satisfy course work requirements.

Initial Teacher Training for Physical Education Students
The centre offers an opportunity for Universities offering Physical Education (PE) Initial Teacher Training (ITT) to engage in subject knowledge enhancement in outdoor and adventurous activities. Teacher trainees across the country are expected to meet the Standards for Qualified Teacher Status. Under the ‘Knowledge and Understanding’ Standard area, students are required to have:
'a secure knowledge and understanding of the concepts and skills in their specialist subject at a standard equivalent to degree level to enable them to teach it confidently and accurately at KS3 and KS4, and where relevant, post 16 for trainees on 11-16 or 18 courses.'
At Outdoor Adventure we offer opportunities for students to engage in subject knowledge enhancement activities which cross reference to the PE National Curriculum. Students are able to engage in a range of activities which they might then go on to teach as part of the outdoor and adventurous activities (OAA) Programme of Study. These include Surfing, Windsurfing, Sailing, Kayaking, Canadian canoeing, Mountain biking, Climbing, Abseiling, Orienteering
This experience provides trainee PE teachers with technical/practical skills and educational/interactional insights within the context of OAA.
We can also support students in preparation for teaching post 14 and 16 PE qualifications which have OAA as part of the syllabus. This includes the new specifications for GCSE PE, AS and A2 courses and the new GNVQ advanced level leisure and recreation course. These all have modules and units which require trainees to have a good practical knowledge and understanding of outdoor and adventurous activities.
Many PE students go on to run residential experiences for their pupils once they are in full-time teaching posts. We provide students with an insight into how these residential experiences are co-ordinated between the school and the centre. This includes content relating to the Duke of Edinburgh Award scheme, where residentials are part of the course requirements at certain levels.
Finally, all trainee teachers are expected to map key skills into teaching and learning. Here at the centre, we can support PE students in their understanding of how OAA can provide pupils with a rich learning context for skills such as problem solving, language and communication development and leadership abilities.

Undergraduate Sport Science Degree Courses
Some sport science courses offer students the opportunity to study practical modules, where they can focus on a specialist area such as outdoor and adventurous activities. We can offer a variety of sporting activities in which students can be assessed. They can then use this practical context to explore specific sport science disciplines for related coursework eg a biomechanical analysis within windsurfing or selecting and applying specific training methods for surfers. Our expertly trained staff can support university staff in assessment against identified criteria. We can also offer students instruction in a range of awards and qualifications for their specialist sport eg level 1 sailing

Evening Programme
In the evenings a full programme can be organised to include activities such as:
Leadership and communication exercises
Party and beach fire evenings
Barbecues
Traverse wall
Night lines

Centre Capacity
This should read: We can cater for groups of up to 65 students including free places for staff. If the group size is above 45, we can offer sole occupancy of the centre.

Accommodation & Facilities
Outdoor Adventure is located in a spectacular situation overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. It is set within its own 10 acres of heritage coastland with a beach on your doorstep. The accommodation consists of comfortable twin rooms for staff and spacious rooms with bunks for the students. On-site facilities include: ample showers and washroom facilities; T.V. (including satellite)/lecture room; licensed residents' bar and tuck shop; drying and laundry room; climbing wall, environmental trail, secure equipment store, secure off-road parking, all-weather barbecue and video coaching facilities.

Food
All programmes include full-board comprising full English breakfast, packed lunch and evening meal. The tasty home-cooked meals are varied and plentiful catering for vegetarians and special diets.

Centre Approval
Outdoor Adventure is fully recognised by the Adventure Activities Licensing Authority, Royal Yachting Association, British Surfing Association and British Canoe Union. Additionally we have achieved the ‘Investor in People’ Award. All our instructors are fully qualified and recognised by the above associations. Additionally they have a great deal of experience gained from running programmes for the many universities and colleges that have previously attended the Centre.

 

 

Activities Available

  • Surfing
  • Bodyboarding
  • Windsurfing
  • Kayaking
  • Canadian Canoeing
  • Climbing
  • Abseiling
  • Coastal discovery/walking
  • Coastal traversing
  • Coasteering
  • Orienteering
  • Problem solving
  • Team Building
  • Environmental trail

 

Evening Programme

In the evening a full programme can be organised to include activities such as:

  • Leadership & communication exercises
  • Party and beach fire evenings
  • Barbecues
  • Traverse wall
  • Night lines

 

Key Reasons why Schools choose our Centre

The small centre capacity gives many advantages to the group visiting. Some of the advantages fed back to us most often are:

  • Small fully-contained Centre in a spectacular location overlooking the Atlantic Ocean with its own ten acres of coastal land away from towns and other distractions.
  • Sole occupancy option available for groups of 35 plus.
  • Maximum return on investment from a quality product rather than the pupils going through 'the treadmill' of a large activity centre.
  • The small capacity of our Centre allows the personal touch providing a superb opportunity for the personal development and building of confidence for each pupil.
  • Unique 'special' atmosphere at the Centre created by our staff being committed to their job and the team's values at Outdoor Adventure.
  • Highest standards of safety and security.
  • Clear and easy lines of communication between Centre staff and teachers due to Centre size.
  • High quality of food and accommodation.
  • As well as the programme being tailored to the school before arrival, we still have the flexibility to make changes if required.

 

From a university lecturer......
" You will be highly recommended as a result of this trip and Outdoor Adventure will be spread far and wide! The range of activities offered was incredibly comprehensive and provided and excellent balance of both land and water based sessions. ~The students felt personally challenged by all that they encountered and will take with them experiences which will now promote the cause of outdoor and adventurous activities (O and AA) as part of the Physical Education National Curriculum in many schools."

From a college leader......
" This provision is dependent upon the quality of the staff who can deliver such a programme. In this respect we were undoubtedly privileged. Not only were the members of your team highly qualified and very experienced, they were also incredibly friendly and approachable. The interpersonal skills were excellent and the teaching was always of a high standard. regardless of the activity being undertaken. The administrative staff have also been highly organised from the trip's initial inception and we have had regular and valuable contact with you at every stage of the process."

From a university lecturer......
" Outdoor Adventure is also unique in terms of its surroundings and accommodation. It is a personable place with a great deal of character. It is completely self-contained and for this reason, you feel safe and protected, an ideal environment potentially for a group of young people. The standard of accommodation was extremely high and the food was superb.

From a student......
" It has made me excited about the possibility of bringing kids away on trips when I get my first post - they would just love it."

From a student......
" Its really gelled us as a group. People who were really quiet have come out of their shells. We've really bonded."

From a student......
" I've been on some good rugby tours, but this beats them hands down."

OVERALL:
" All I can say is that we will be back next year, not only with out postgraduate students, but hopefully with our undergraduates as well."

 

     

 

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