Outdoor Education
We believe that education extends far beyond the confines of the classroom. Our Outdoor Education programme offers students enriching experiences that foster personal growth, environmental stewardship and practical skills.
What is Outdoor Education and why is it important?
Outdoor Education provides students with the opportunity to expand their knowledge, develop essential skills, and grow personally. Through hands-on experiences, students deepen their environmental awareness, build a stronger connection with nature and engage in physical activity without the pressure of competition.
We are fortunate to learn and work on such a beautiful campus, and it is important that students make the most of this environment – spending time outdoors, breathing in fresh air, reducing stress and enhancing their overall well-being.
In Year 9, students take part in Outdoor Education for one hour every fortnight, where they develop valuable skills for the Duke of Edinburgh Award, learn first aid, practice navigation, work on the allotment and gain experience in camp-craft, including tent-building and outdoor cooking. They also contribute to Missing Maps, a charity initiative.
For students in Year 10 to Upper Sixth, Outdoor Education is available as part of the Friday Activities Block, alongside other enriching options such as Debating, the Combined Cadet Force (CCF) Partnerships, the CREST Award and Robotics.
Friday’s Outdoor Education programme
Students engage in a rotating programme of winter and summer activities, maximising our outdoor spaces and spending as much time as possible in the fresh air. Our campus offers exceptional outdoor learning environments, including pavilion classrooms, tipi classrooms, firepits and a thriving allotment.
The programme features a diverse range of activities, enabling students to acquire new skills, build confidence, and relish the outdoors. Past activities have included:
- Archery
- Allotment gardening
- Camp skills
- Outdoor cooking
- Geocaching
- Rock climbing and bouldering
- Mountain biking
- Lifesaving and lifeguarding
- Scuba diving
- GPS orienteering and Glaf orienteering
- Outdoor crafts
This programme encourages students to embrace adventure, learn practical skills and connect with the natural world in a meaningful way. It provides a chance to unwind at the end of a week of study.
Allotment
Our school takes immense pride in its flourishing allotment, which serves as more than just a space for growing vegetables. Students have transformed it into a tranquil haven for both people and wildlife, installing features like a turf sofa, bee hotels, bird feeders, bug habitats and a pond. They also explore the site’s natural resources, such as using weeping willow for construction and foraging edible plants like wild garlic. We are committed to providing every student with the opportunity to engage with nature respectfully, supporting local biodiversity sustainably.
Our latest exciting project is the Wildflower Walkway.
Combined Cadet Force (CCF)
Combined Cadet Force (CCF) is a partnership between secondary schools and the Ministry of Defence, encompassing sections from the Royal Navy, Royal Marines, Army, or Royal Air Force. Over 500 secondary schools across the UK participate, offering a broad range of challenging, exciting and adventurous activities. CCF promotes personal responsibility, leadership and self-discipline – all while having fun.
Students can choose from:
- Royal Navy
- Army
- RAF
Duke of Edinburgh
We are actively support students in pursuing the Duke of Edinburgh awards at bronze, silver and gold levels. All Year 10 students have the option take part in the bronze award. They can then choose whether they want to progress to Silver and Gold.
The awards set personal challenges and push individual boundaries, but it is also great fun and a chance to make new friendships.
Through our Outdoor Education programme, Habs is dedicated to nurturing well-rounded individuals equipped with the skills, confidence and experiences to thrive beyond the classroom.
