Outdoor Pursuits and Trips

 Combined Cadet Force (CCF)

From Year 7, all students have the opportunity to join the CCF. We run a Navy and Army section. Becoming an Army Cadet has many benefits. The most obvious being that you get to take part in lots of exciting and challenging activities such as fieldcraft, adventure training, first aid, music, sports, and shooting, to name but a few.

Those in the CCF will complete a two year syllabus, with a reduced number wishing to serve in the Sixth Form (particularly those with careers in the Armed Forces in mind). Having joined, he or she may serve in the contingent until the end of U6, gaining experience in leadership and achieving a Specialised Training Award from their chosen service section.

Cadets from both Sections may go on annual Camps organised by the contingent. Activities include canoeing, sailing, abseiling and elementary rock climbing coupled with military training leadership. Other events include the Central CCF camp during the summer holidays, or their respective service camps. 
 

Duke of Edinburgh's Award 

Participation in the DofE scheme is a popular option. The school offers Bronze and Gold levels. Each level consists of four sections: skill, service, physical recreation and expeditions.

Expedition training takes place during activity time and on several weekends in the Lent and Summer terms. This means that pupils may opt for both the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award and the CCF. Expeditions take place at many locations across the UK including the Mendips, Marlborough Downs, Dartmoor, Exmoor, the Brecon Beacons, the Lake District and Scotland.

All levels of the award include a practise expedition and an assessed expedition, with the duration and distance being longer for the Gold award than the Silver. All expeditions are led by suitably qualified staff from within the school. Typical costs involved are £150 for Bronze and £250 for Silver and Gold (guideline costs only). A large outlay on equipment is unnecessary as the College can provide tents, cooking equipment, rucksacks and maps. Pupils will normally provide their own boots and waterproofs.

Trips

The College run a variety of trips throughout the year. These range from team building at an outward bound centre for our Year 7 Baines students, to academic enrichment trips, for example, Biology's 'Operation Wallacea' in Honduras.

Other examples of recent trips include:
Skiing in Italy
New York (U6 Trip)
Language trips to Spain, France, China
History trips to Berlin
Music trips to Rome and Barcelona
Classics trip to Greece