Year 7 Outward Bound: climbing the mountain, in school and beyond

Last month, our Year 7 students took part in an Outward Bound experience day in school. Instructors from the Outward Bound Trust led a day of teamwork challenges, problem-solving tasks and time to reflect on what the students were learning about themselves and each other.

From the very start, our Year 7s were fantastic. They worked incredibly well together, listened to one another, shared ideas and encouraged their teammates when tasks got tricky. It was brilliant to see students taking on new roles, supporting each other and celebrating each other’s successes, and they should be proud of the way they represented our school community.

The day also included virtual reality headsets. Students were taken to some of the most beautiful landscapes in England, and many were excited to see places they may not have had the chance to explore before. For lots of our students, that first glimpse of mountains, lakes and open countryside sparked real curiosity and wonder. It was also a chance to get a feel for what is coming in March, when they head to the Lake District for their residential. The experience has helped our Year 7s feel prepared and has got them excited for the adventure ahead.

In March, students will stay at the Outward Bound centre on the shores of Ullswater, set in woodland with the fells rising around it. Activities at Ullswater include rowing and canoeing on the lake, hiking and summit climbs, and camp life, all of which ask students to work together, push themselves and look after one another. For many, it will be a new experience and a fantastic opportunity to build memories and friendships that last well beyond Year 7.

Growing beyond the classroom

At Dixons Trinity Chapeltown, our mission is to get students to and through university so that they thrive in a top job and have a great life. Learning outside the classroom is an important part of that. Challenges like these build confidence, communication, resilience and teamwork, and show students what they are capable of when they are brave enough to try something new. The skills they practise on days like this, such as listening, leading, problem-solving and persevering, help them in every lesson and in every part of their lives.

The experience also reflects our values and drivers:

• Hard work: we never give up, and we do what it takes for as long as it takes, whether that’s a tricky team challenge or the final stretch of a climb.
• Trust: we do what we say we’ll do, and we have the courage to do the right thing for our team.
• Fairness: helping a member of our team is helping ourselves.
• Mastery: getting better at things that matter, such as leading, listening and solving problems together.
• Autonomy: taking ownership of our own choices and our own learning.
• Purpose: connecting to something bigger than ourselves, in this case a team working towards a shared goal.

We are so proud of how our Year 7s approached the day, and we are grateful to the Outward Bound Trust for such an inspiring experience. The residential in March will be another step on their climb up the mountain to university, and we can’t wait to see what they achieve.

For more information about Outward Bound, go to their website:

Outdoor Adventure for Young People | The Outward Bound Trust