MEET THE TEAM
OLLY REES
Head of Outdoor Education
Olly has been with the school since 2013 when he started as Deputy Head of Outdoor Education, stepping up at Easter 2014 to put his own mark on the department. He started the Outdoor Discoverers’ Clubs, originally with 12 pupils one evening a week, we now have 15 to 30 pupils three evenings a week. Over the years he has run DofE trips across the UK and occasionally in Europe, as well as longer, adventurous trips to Malawi and Tanzania, and the Winter Mountaineering Trips to Scotland.
Previously Olly has worked in the Lake District, Yorkshire, Orkney and Wales. In addition to a range of qualifications, Olly holds the Cave Instructor Certificate, the highest caving award available; not only training and assessing the next generation of cave leaders, he is also the Team Leader for the Devon Cave Rescue Organisation.
VISION AND PHILOSOPHY
Outdoor Education is difficult to define, but people intrinsically know what it is when they do it. At face value, we go outside to do activities. But it’s more than that. The sessions are a great way for your child to experience, improve and move towards competency in a multitude of Outdoor Activities in the stunning countryside surrounding Plymouth.
In addition to participating in these activities, pupils will be developing their interpersonal and intrapersonal skills by working in a team and individually, learning about themselves and their comfort zones and pushing themselves in a safe and supportive environment. Operating a ‘challenge by choice’ approach and giving space for experiential learning, pupils come away feeling confident and enriched and keen for the next challenge. We should all have more adventures, and it’s wonderful that we can have so many at school.
FREYA FOREMAN
Outdoor Education Instructor
Freya joined the school in 2023, having previously cut her teeth at the Mount Batten Centre and arriving with a fist full of paddlesport qualifications, she has now firmly added land based tickets to her portfolio. Freya brings with her an abundance of enthusiasm for all things Outdoor Ed, supporting pupils to learn about themselves as well as the activities she delivers. As well as working across all the programmes she is responsible for the Silver DofE award with expeditions to the Brecon Beacons, and managing the Tuesday evening club programme. Freya is a member of the Dartmoor Rescue Team, Tavistock.
DOUG HAYTER
Outdoor Education Instructor
Doug joined the school in 2023, previously working in the South West and Europe, his past life as a tree surgeon will have him happily dangling from ropes with a chainsaw. Doug has progressed his paddlesport qualifications since he has been here and continued to build his mountain skills, spending most of the summer climbing in the Alps. Doug is our ‘get the job done’ man and in a busy department like Outdoor Ed there is a never ending stream of maintenance jobs to take care of. Working across all programmes, he coordinates the Gold DofE award, running expeditions to the Lake District, and manages the Thursday evening club programme. Doug is a member of the Dartmoor Rescue Team, Tavistock.
BIKING
DESCRIPTION
Bikes need no introduction and lots of people ride them, but we can all get better. We do skill sessions on site, explore locally and go further afield to cycle tracks and purpose built trail centres.
ACTIVITY
We go exploring on bikes. From the basics of sizing bikes and learning how to ride them to developing skills such as anticipation in shifting gears, pedal kicks, the cone of movement, the ready position, bunny hops and drop offs. We also do basic bike mechanics such as removing and fitting wheels, puncture repair and indexing gears.
ACTIVITY SPECIFIC KIT
Bike, helmet, possibly gloves and safety glasses.
BUSHCRAFT
DESCRIPTION
This is using natural resources to live sustainably and comfortably in the wild; it includes the basic necessities such as water, shelter, fire, and food. A big part of this is to foster an understanding of the environments we visit, coastal, woodland or moorland, and to see the richness that is there. Yes, all wood burns, but you’ll get a much better fire from Beech than from Willow…
ACTIVITY
Typically we focus on shelter, fire and simple foraging. This might be using natural materials, or ‘tarps’ to make tent-like structures. We explore different methods of fire lighting, consider the environmental impact of fires and how to best tend it. We also explore cooking on a fire, from marshmallows to ‘stick bread’, to cooking fish and baking pizzas.
ACTIVITY SPECIFIC KIT
None needed, be warm and waterproof.
CAVING
DESCRIPTION
Caves have long held fascination with humans, and you’d be hard pressed to find someone without an opinion about them. Caves are fascinating places with their own ecosystems, where light does not touch. There can be cavernous voids that will house cathedrals, or narrow passageways which require a wriggle, and everything in between. In modern times where you can, at the click of a button, view every inch of the surface of the earth, caves offer the last true arena for exploration, to stand where nobody has ever stood and see things no human has ever seen.
ACTIVITY
Exploring the underground world, there will be walking, crawling, stooping. There are puddles, lakes and drips like showers from the ceiling. There are small scrambles, climbs and traverses. From the first steps in a cave to experience the underground world, to progressing to more challenging systems and even using a survey to navigate your way through the cave.
ACTIVITY SPECIFIC KIT
Wellies, cave oversuit, caving belt, helmet and headtorch.
CLIMBING
DESCRIPTION
The vertical world. We do this indoors and outdoors, using ropes to scale a wall, or bouldering without ropes close to the ground.
ACTIVITY
We’ll show you the ropes. Safety is paramount, so after learning about the climbing environment and how to use it we learn the equipment, and then movement skills. Everybody enjoys a different challenge, it might be enough to get to the top, or you may want to try a harder climb.
ACTIVITY SPECIFIC KIT
Climbing harness, climbing shoes, helmet, belay device.
INDOOR CLIMBING
Using the nearby climbing walls for bouldering and roped climbing, we are fortunate to have several good walls locally.
OUTDOOR CLIMBING
With Dartmoor on our door step we are blessed with multiple first rate climbing venues with breathtaking views. These are both single pitch and multi pitch (smaller rock faces and those which are nearly 50m high).
SINGLE PITCH
A smaller rockface, which you can climb using one length of rope. Typically we would lower people back to the ground, similar to indoor climbing.
MULTI PITCH
Larger rock faces which require you to climb it in multiple rope lengths, building belays / anchor stations in between them. Typically you would walk off a descent path from the top.
BOULDERING
This is climbing low down without ropes, but with a crash mat. Typically boulder problems are harder than a climbing route, packing a lot into a short distance. They’re great to work on balance and technique and are really fun.
LEAD CLIMBING
Most of the climbing is done with a preset rope which is above the climber. If the climber jumps off, they are immediately supported by a tight rope from above. In lead climbing, the climber starts with the rope at the bottom and guards their upward progress by clipping the rope into anchors every meter or so. This has the potential for a leader to take more of a fall, but is the true form of climbing, allowing climbers to ascend large cliffs and mountains.
TEAM BUILDING
DESCRIPTION
These are novel and engaging but simple activities where people’s true selves rise to the surface. Work together to achieve a shared aim, often with an element of competition, requiring cooperation, lateral thinking, problem solving, communication and teamwork.
ACTIVITY
We have a number of challenges, some more physical, some requiring more thought, and all of them requiring team work.
ACTIVITY SPECIFIC KIT
Be warm and waterproof.
KNOTS
DESCRIPTION
It is possible to get through most of life without tying knots, even shoes have buckles, zips, or velcro fastenings. But there are times when tying knots can get you out of trouble, you might be strapping something to a roof rack, or making a swing in the woods. We’ll focus on practical knots, building things and making a ladder which we try to climb, safeguarded with a rope and harness.
ACTIVITY
We’ll start small with sticks and para cord, making picture frames, boxes or chairs. We will then work together to build a ladder, which we can take outside and try and get the whole group to climb up it, with a harness and helmet on to catch us if the ladder turns a bit wobbly!
ACTIVITY SPECIFIC KIT
No specific kit needed, possibly a helmet and harness for testing your ladder.
CRATE STACK
DESCRIPTION
Using milk crates, the aim is to work together to get a person stood as high off the ground as possible. Everyone gets a go at being on top, kitted in a harness and helmet.
ACTIVITY
Try different ways of making the stack, do you make stairs, a double stack or can you balance enough to climb a single stack of crates? One thing’s for certain, you’ll need the help of your team as you rise into the sky.
ACTIVITY SPECIFIC KIT
Harness and helmet.
RAFT BUILDING
DESCRIPTION
Barrels, planks and some lengths of ropecan you make a raft that will carry you and your group across the water?
ACTIVITY
After designing your raft, lash planks together, strap in some barrels and see if it floats - then get on and see if it floats with you on it. Once we’ve made the rafts, there’s the obligatory race.
ACTIVITY SPECIFIC KIT
Wetsuits, helmets and buoyancy aid.
WEASELING
DESCRIPTION
Have you ever seen a gap in a wall or a pile of rocks and thought, I wonder if I fit in there? Well, this is weaseling. Exploring the gaps and crevices in the granite tors left by time and weathering; can you fit in, and where will you pop out?
ACTIVITY
This is fairly slow paced, and pupil led. There are numerous options with pupils, and staff, really getting into finding gaps, risk assessing their potential, and seeing ‘if it goes’.
ACTIVITY SPECIFIC KIT
Helmet, waterproofs.
GHYLL SCRAMBLING
DESCRIPTION
Ghyll is a Lake District term for a stream, we get in the water and ascend through rocky pools and flowing streams. A firm favourite amongst all ages.
ACTIVITY
Experience the thrill of the river as you and your team ascend the chutes, get washed down slides and link pools up to reach the final pool with the water slide.
ACTIVITY SPECIFIC KIT
Wetsuits, helmets and buoyancy aid.
COASTEERING
DESCRIPTION
Exploring the rocky littoral zone which exists between the high and low water mark along the coast. Go to places you can only access from the sea and maybe see a seal or two along the way.
ACTIVITY
A mix of swimming, climbing and jumping between rocks. Get swept up in the waves and pushed through zawns.
ACTIVITY SPECIFIC KIT
Wetsuits, helmets and buoyancy aid.
WHITE WATER KAYAKING
DESCRIPTION
A bit like a rollercoaster, but wetter. We are fortunate to have one of the finest white water rivers in the country on our doorstep - the river Dart. People come from across the country to paddle it, and a frequent exclamation of locals who venture to rivers further afield is ‘That was almost as good as the Dart!’.
ACTIVITY
Learn about ferry gliding, break in and break out and all about ‘spangle’. Starting on simple flows and building up to bigger rapids; learn how to surf, flat spin and boof.
ACTIVITY SPECIFIC KIT
Helmet, buoyancy aid, drysuit, kayak, paddle, spraydeck
SEA KAYAKING
DESCRIPTION
There is nothing like the sound your kayak makes as it softly crunches up the sand of a beach you cannot get to from the land. Far from the madding crowd you cut swiftly through the water to eat up the distance between remote beaches and surf spots.
ACTIVITY
These boats handle differently than most kayaks and go very swiftly, learn how to edge and turn, how to surf and land on rocky and sandy shores.
ACTIVITY SPECIFIC KIT
Helmet, buoyancy aid, wetsuit, spraydeck, kayak, paddle.
CANOEING
DESCRIPTION
The ultimate versatile paddle craft, you can paddle a canoe; sat down, knelt down, stood up, use a paddle, use a pole, sail them, or raft two together. You can take them on multi day expeditions along flat water or on wide open water such as lakes, lochs and estuaries. You can even take them down white water rapids yet they are light enough to carry and move them around on the land.
ACTIVITY
From the basics of rafting two together and exploring close to the shore in Plymouth Sound, we have taken them on expeditions along the Thames, the river Severn and river Wye. We have also sailed them on the Dart estuary and coaxed them down the rapids higher up the river.
ACTIVITY SPECIFIC KIT
Buoyancy aid, possibly a helmet and a wet or dry suit.
SIT ON TOP (SoT)
DESCRIPTION
A great platform to explore the water from, stable and easy to climb back on to. These are great as a first step in the world of kayaking, offering people of all ages freedom to roam and explore.
ACTIVITY
Forwards, backward, turn around and sideways; sounds simple enough but can take some trial and error. After the basics we often go on a journey to see ‘what’s around the corner’.
ACTIVITY SPECIFIC KIT
Helmet, buoyancy aid, wetsuit, boat, paddle.
STAND UP PADDLEBOARDING (SUP )
DESCRIPTION
SUP’s have rapidly grown in popularity, they are the easiest water craft to store and transport and to get back on again if you fall off. This is good news, but people can get into trouble with them as they access environments which are new to them and have a host of hazards they might not be aware of.
ACTIVITY
Learn how to handle your SUP like a pro, explore Plymouth Sound and reach the shores of Drakes Island.
ACTIVITY SPECIFIC KIT Wetsuit, buoyancy aid.
WALKING
DESCRIPTION
Not just ‘alternative transportation’, walking is fundamental to any expedition or activity anywhere. But are you walking in the right direction? We are fortunate to have the wonderful South West Coast Path and Dartmoor National Park on our doorstep and spend plenty of time exploring them.
ACTIVITY
Depending on the aim of the day, we might focus on navigation, route finding, steep ground, getting to the top of a peak, or simply being out and revelling in the glorious surroundings. It does sometimes rain.
ACTIVITY SPECIFIC KIT
Varies, from ‘normal clothing’ to boots and full waterproofs.
NIGHT WALKS
DESCRIPTION
Walks, but at night time. ‘Things that go bump in the night, really do cause one to fright; it’s the hole in each ear, that lets in the fear. That, and the absence of light’ so says Spike Milligan. Clear star filled nights on the open moor, or dark nights of swirling mist in a woodland, everything looks different in the dark.
ACTIVITY
Often visiting a known location, but this time in the dark can be a thrilling experience as people confront and embrace their ideas of what is and what isn’t scary - being with friends helps!
ACTIVITY SPECIFIC KIT
Head torch.
CAMPING
DESCRIPTION
Either as accommodation in the same place for a few days of activity or packing up and moving on each night, often journeys are too long to do in one go and learning the art of camping will open up a world of opportunities.
ACTIVITY
Cooking, living and sleeping in a tent, with other people. It takes a bit of practice but can be a very liberating experience - you’ve carried your whole world with you on your back.
ACTIVITY SPECIFIC KIT
Tent, sleeping bag, sleeping mat, torch
ORIENTEERING
DESCRIPTION
Map reading at speed, hopefully accurately, and visiting different checkpoints along the way.
ACTIVITY
You can either do this individually, or in pairs or small groups. Starting at school and then progressing onto other courses, you can get different points depending on which check points you go to, it is often timed and we run competitions.
ACTIVITY SPECIFIC KIT
Map, compass.
