Appleton Academy, Bradford 

Outdoor Education

Outdoor Adventure in 2012

2012 one again promises to be an action packed year for Outdoor Education at the Academy.

The year kicks off with 4 new House residentials. Each House (staff and students) will be attending a residential at Bradley Woods in Brighouse for 2 days and one night camping. The residentials will be in September/October and will leave on alternate Thursdays at 3.10pm, returning on Friday at 3.10pm. Young people will take part in a variety of team/House building activities and games on Thursday evening and throughout Friday to develop their House ethos. All young people/staff at the Secondary site will be attending one of these residentials.

The Bronze Duke of Edinburgh teams will be heading out once again this year with their practice expeditions in September and their assessed expedition in April. Young people involved in the Duke of Edinburgh will complete 4 modules; expedition, skills, physical activity and volunteering. All 4 modules need to be completed by students for them to be awarded the full Bronze Duke of Edinburgh award.

This year’s Bike residential will take place in November for 2 days and 1 night visiting Dalby Forest, North Yorkshire. Students will have the opportunity to ride some fantastic routes in unspoilt scenery. Routes are available to all levels of rider and will challenge and develop riding skills in equal measure throughout the residential.

During the winter term the Academy will once again be running a Ski Club, which will consist of a block of 6 lessons. The ski club is available to all young people at Appleton Academy’s secondary site and will develop all levels of skier, from complete beginners to competent advanced skiers looking for a further challenge.

Year 7 students at Appleton Academy will experience a fantastic and exciting series of Year 7 Outdoor Learning Days. These days will take place in March allowing young people the opportunity to learn in the great outdoors. Pupils will take part in camp cooking, shelter building, navigation, exploring nature plus many more new and enjoyable experiences.

Our Water residential this academic year will take place in late March. The water residential in 2010 - 2011 was a great success and brought on our students' kayaking skills tremendously. Young people will get the opportunity to develop their kayaking skills on some of Wales’ best rivers. This residential will be 2 days and 1 night in duration and will challenge all paddlers abilities on the water. This residential is only available to those pupils at Appleton Academy who are competent in a kayak.