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We are no longer offering in-school adventures. However, if you are interested in an Outward Bound residential, please do get in touch.

It's our turn to go Outward Bound.

At Outward Bound we never sit back and say we can’t. It's just not in our DNA.

Our mission is to help young people see what they are truly capable of, to believe in themselves, to be more than they think. And right now, this is needed more than ever.

Currently, we are unable to run our usual residential programmes so our instructors are hitting the road to help give your primary and secondary pupils the development they need at this time of uncertainty.

We are bringing the power of learning and adventure to you - without you having to leave your local area. Thanks to the generosity of our donors, funding is available to the pupils who need it most.

Our team will work in partnership with you to help your pupils to discover adventure in their local environment.

Through this process, they will develop the skills they need to face an ever-changing world. Crucial skills like confidence and self-belief, as well as developing awareness of their own skills.

Enquire about an adventure at your school

What is an Outward Bound in-school adventure?

Not your bog-standard adventure

As with all Outward Bound programmes, no two courses will be the same - we’ll use your surroundings and the needs of your pupils to create a unique adventure like no other.

Targeted support for your pupils during this challenging and changing time - ideal for transition and wellbeing.

A number of in-school programmes to choose from that we can tailor to your learning needs and the context of your school.

Our super-skilled, dedicated instructors can help provide you with additional teaching and learning support.

Impactful and memorable experiences - an adventure on your doorstep, making the most of your local environment.

Choose the length of the adventure you need: options include half-day, one-day, three-day or five-day programmes.

Financial support is available for the pupils and schools who really need it.

Read the FAQs

What you'll be doing

Based on your local surroundings, the needs of your pupils and the context of your school, our team will create an in-school adventure, like no other.

You can use our in-school adventures as a standalone programme or tie it in with your planned 2021 Outward Bound residential.

Half-day sample programme

One-day sample programme

Three-day sample programme

Five-day sample programme

Learning process and outcomes

Learning is at the heart of our adventures, no matter where they take place.

We'll use a process of Plan, Train, Go and Review.

Plan, Train, Go, Review learning process

Learning outcomes

Funding and prices

Prices start at £25 per pupil, per day based on a group size of 12 participants.

Money should not be a barrier

Thanks to the generosity of our donors, we are able to offer financial support to the young people who need it the most. See the criteria to see if your school is eligible for funding.

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FAQs

How much does it cost?

Prices start at £25 per pupil, per day and are based on a group size of 12 participants. We are also able to provide financial assistance to the schools who need this the most.

To find out how much an Outward Bound adventure at your school could cost, and how much funding you can receive, get in touch with us.

How do I know if my school is eligible for funding?

If your school is already in receipt of financial assistance, you should be eligible for funding for these in-school adventures too.

If you haven’t worked with Outward Bound before, it’s simple to find out if you are eligible for funding. Our financial assistance is available to all UK residents who are in the education system. Suitable candidates need to meet at least two of the following criteria:

• Free school meals
• Low-income family
• English as a second language
• Special educational needs
• Poor educational attainment
• Ethnic minority backgrounds

When getting in touch, let us know you are interested in applying for financial assistance.

What programmes are available?

We are offering a range of programmes to fit in with your school needs and timetables. Our options are:

One day or half-day

• 2 x Half-day programmes: to different groups, delivered on the same day
• One-day programme

Three days

• Three-day consecutive programme: 3 consecutive days delivered during one week
• Three-day non-consecutive programme: 3 x 1 day delivered over half term

Five days

• Five-day consecutive programme: 5 days delivered in a week
• Five-day non-consecutive programme: 5 x 1 day delivered over half term

What activities will my pupils be doing?

Your in-school programme will include a range of different challenging activities; these are dependent on what's available in your school grounds or local area, the weather that day and your group's appetite for adventure.

Activities may include team tasks and challenges, shelter building, map-reading, navigation, orienteering, environmental awareness activities, bushcraft, fire building, journeying to the highest or lowest point, a community project, and ​exploring your local environment.

Download our sample programmes:

Half-day sample programme
One-day sample programme
Three-day sample programme
Five-day sample programme

What risk assessments do I need to have in place?

We are working under your school risk assessments whilst on school grounds or a nearby location.

You can access our risk assessments to cover the activities we might be doing below.

Risk assessments of Outward Bound in-school adventures activities

Do we need to provide any kit or equipment?

No, we will provide everything needed for activities. All we need is some outside space for our instructors to use creatively.

Participants will need to be wearing clothing and footwear shoes suitable for being outside and we suggest they also bring their own coats and waterproofs too in case of wet weather.

What do the young people need to wear?

We advise pupils are dressed ready for an adventure outside; clothing should be warm and waterproof. We also suggest pupils bring a hat, gloves and a scarf, and ideal footwear is wellies, boots or trainers. We also suggest pupils have a change of clothes in case of wet weather.

What are the group sizes and ratios?

Groups will be one instructor to 12 young people. We ask that at least one teacher is present. These ratios will ensure there are opportunities for learning, one to one time and viewing the individual within a group.

The number of groups will be dependent on space available to the school, either at the school or a venue close by.

What do the timings for a day look like?

A typical day may be structured like this:

• 8.30am: Instructors arrive at the school and set up
• 9.30am: Students arrive
• 3.30pm: Students depart. Instructors close down and leave the school by 4.30pm

We will discuss and plan each day with what works for your school.

Where will adventures take place?

Outward Bound aims to use real adventures in the natural environment and we will continue to do this by bringing a bit of Outward Bound to our schools.

Using school grounds, local areas and spaces, our aim is to get young people to see their local environment differently and create a bridge between their 'home’ and Outward Bound. We will inspire young people to interpret and look at their places differently, and how they can have an adventure on their front door.

Can I do the John Muir Award alongside one of these programmes?

Yes, it is possible to complete a John Muir Discovery Award alongside one of our in-school adventures, but the programme must be a minimum of four days. Find out more information on the John Muir Award.

How do these adventures fit in with the Goverment guidelines on COVID-19?

All our in-school adventures will be run in accordance with the most up-to-date COVID 19 government guidelines, LEA guidelines and individual schools' guidelines (all of which may change on an ongoing process so we will remain flexible).

WHO QUALIFIES FOR FUNDING?

Financial assistance is available to all UK residents who are in the education system. Suitable candidates need to meet at least two of the following criteria:

• Free school meals
• Low-income family
• English as a second language
• Special educational needs
• Poor educational attainment
• Ethnic minority backgrounds

Enquire about an adventure at your school

Our donors

This crucial work would not be possible without the generous support of our donors. They have recognised the needs of young people who can't go on a school residential at this time, and enabled us to run these in-school adventures.

Barratt Developments
DHL UK Foundation
Dulux
Provident Financial Group
Mowi Scotland
Whyte & Mackay
Swagelok Scotland
The Northwood Charitable Trust

Find out more about how you can help thousands of young people who need our services right now. Get in touch.