School Journey 2019 25.3.19

Travel arrangements- Leaving Monday 25th March 2019 Arrive at school by 6.30am- we will be leaving at 6.45am at the latest. Children will need a packed lunch for the outward journey. We will be travelling to Birmingham services where we will stop for lunch (and travel sickness pills!) We should arrive in the early afternoon and get settled into our rooms. Parents will be informed when we have arrived! Returning Friday 29th March 2019 We will be leaving the centre at 11.30am. Outward bound will provide our packed lunches for the return journey. We should arrive back to school between 5.30 and 6.30pm. Parents will be updated throughout our journey.

Groups and daytime activities Course aim- To support young people to understand and develop the behaviours necessary to maximise opportunities at school and in their wider community. During the day, the children will be split into 3 groups of 10. There will be at least one member of school staff and at least one group leader with each group. Adults from the school- Tanya, Amanda, Michael, Katherine There will be a variety of activities. These can be adapted based on the abilities of each group.

An example week of activities

From the website This depends on a lot of things: What your school has asked to do, what your instructor has planned  based on your learning aims, how many of you and also on what the weather is like. However, to give you an idea, below is a list of activities you might be doing: Expeditioning (camping) Gorge walking High ropes activities Rock climbing Scrambling Hill walking Canoeing Sailing Tree climbing Kayaking Raft building

Daily routine Coming on an Outward Bound course is not like going on holiday, there is always plenty to do! To fit it all into the day we like to start the day bright and early. Below is a sample outline of what a typical day at Outward Bound is like: 7am wake up 7.30 - 9am breakfast 9am – 5pm activity time with your instructor 5pm – 7pm dinner and free time 7pm – 8:30pm activity time with your instructor 8:30pm – 9:15pm free time 9:15pm to dorms 9:30pm lights out

Sleeping arrangements The dorms will be of different sizes and will mostly have bunk beds in them and some are ensuite.  Girls will be split between 2 rooms of 6 beds (6:5). Boys will be split between 4 rooms of 6 beds (4:4:5:6)

Kit list We have given a recommended kit list on the letter. Main thing: ENOUGH CLOTHES! (and plastic bags to put wet clothes in) Outward bound suggests the following- Casual t-shirts Sweatshirts Thermal tops Jumpers Fleece tops Thick and thin walking socks Synthetic trousers for walking (not jeans) Jeans (for around the centre only) 2 Pairs of trainers (one which can get wet) Underwear Pyjamas Shorts Hat and gloves Towels and swimwear Prescribed medication (where necessary)

Will we get wet? Yes! There are certain activities where the aim is to get wet (like jumping off a pier or running into the sea...) or others where getting wet is a possibility if things don’t go quite to plan (like raft building or paddling). However, children can come ready and prepared for these activities. Please make sure that the children have appropriate clothes that you don’t mind getting wet and that they don’t wear their best set of trainers. Children will be informed the night before of the day’s activities so they can prepare and pack accordingly.

What NOT to bring Electrical devices (including mobile phones) we will be updating parents as often as possible throughout the week via the school website and twitter. Valuable watches/jewellery More the £10 spending money Sweets/snacks (excessive)

Medication and concerns By now (hopefully) you have all returned the medical forms for both the centre and the school. If you require a second form or a supplementary form (for asthma, allergies etc) then please get one from me today! I am posting them off by Wednesday. If your child requires medication (asthma pump, allergy tablets or other) please make sure we have an up to date set in the office by Monday 18th March. All members of school staff are first aid trained. The second part of our journey, through the winding roads and hills of Wales, can be a little rough even for the most experienced traveller! Please consent for your child to be given travel sickness medication for a smooth journey!