Trips & Expeditions
Outdoor Education and Adventure Training
All pupils in Years 7 through 13 are able to take part in outdoor education/adventure training during term-time and holidays; and all pupils embark on a progressive programme of outdoor activities enabling them to learn vital leadership and team building skills, overcoming challenges, confronting fears and developing important life skills. As a military academy these trips and activities also provide an opportunity for staff to interact with the pupils outside of the classroom and learn new skills for themselves. For many pupils, this is their first look at outdoor education – and it whets their appetite for more.
Duke of Edinburgh’s Award
Duke of Edinburgh’s Award and Adventure Training – Since RSM Dowle took charge of this programme in 2007, 592 pupils from the Duke of York’s have spent at least one week away from school participating in an array of adventure training, and almost 200 have spent multiple nights on expeditions. Our school routinely achieves the most Duke of Edinburgh’s Awards in the local area and hosts the area awards ceremony with presentations by the Lord Lieutenant or a high ranking military officer. Our award totals are impressive:
|
|
Bronze |
Silver |
Gold |
|
Four Year Average |
63 |
18* |
3* |
(*some complete after leaving school)
As part of the Duke of Edinburgh scheme, all Year 9 pupils spend a week away engaged in camp craft and navigation training, kayaking, sailing, climbing, abseiling and two days of hiking/camping. The school can fully equip 100 pupils for adventure training and overnight camping (everything except boots!).
Annual Dartmoor Trip – pupils spend a week on Dartmoor engaged in walking, wild camping, sailing, kayaking, windsurfing, raft building/racing, high ropes course, trapeze, tree climbing, gorge walking, mountain biking, climbing, abseiling, and more…you get the picture!
Junior Adventure Day – a recently introduced two-day activity for the junior years, teaches basic map reading, camp craft, cooking, health and safety, fun and games and camping out.
Other regular activities include Friday afternoon sailing in Dover harbour. The school has three sail boats and 22 kayaks.
One-off activities have included a one week ski trip to Austria with full instruction and equipment.
