Secondary education groups

We offer one day activity programmes either on site at your school or academy grounds or off site at a venue local to you.

We also offer residential trips with accommodation, transport and a full programme of varied outdoor activities included. We can work with you to provide a tailor made activity programme to match both curricular and student needs. 

We are accredited to deliver Duke of Edinburgh Gold, Silver and Bronze award expeditions for school groups, and we offer the two-day Hill Skills and one-day Rock Skills Introduction courses for groups looking to learn the basics of hill walking and rock climbing. 

Children sat on the grass in group circle

Tailored programmes

Our aim with secondary students is to challenge and encourage, giving them the opportunities to learn outside of their formal education as well as to improve and develop relations with other students and teachers.

The activities are designed to develop the important bounds of trust, communication and mutual support to provide a practical application of learned skills in preparation for GCSEs.

More information on our programmes

We can work with you to tailor activities to meet curriculum requirements for key stages 3 and 4. Our qualified instructors will make sure the students have an enjoyable adventure and provide new and exciting challenges and act as positive role models for the students.

We can also help if you'd like to be able to offer something different to your students for GCSE Physical Education. We have experience in providing canoeing, kayaking, climbing and Duke of Edinburgh award activities to help students to further develop their experience of physical education at GCSE level.

We offer a range of one-day events and also residential experiences, providing opportunities for young people to explore, discover new things and try new activities. From hill and mountain walking to ghyll scrambling, abseiling or canoeing, we have a whole range of activities that many students have never tried.

Through our relationships with multiple accommodation providers we have access to a variety of country houses, bunkhouses, camping barns, hotels, hostels, and campsites in stunning rural, coastal and city locations throughout the UK.

The benefits of our programmes include:

 

  • Enhances learning as pupils move towards exam periods
  • Increased resilience and determination
  • Increased self-confidence and self-esteem
  • Increased independence and responsibility
  • Improved communication and team work skills
  • Face challenges and gain experience in the outdoors
  • Increases trust and respect amongst students and teachers
  • Develops and strengthens friendships amongst students
  • Can form the foundation of life-long interests
  • Improved health and wellbeing
  • Ability to empathise and understand new perspectives
  • Increased aspirations and motivation
  • Increased knowledge and understanding of the outdoors and natural environment

Dominic Halls Thomas Mills High School, Framlington, Suffolk

We have been organising outdoor adventurous activities with our school for many years now and the week with Carnegie Great Outdoors has by far been the best. Without exception we were really impressed with the way the staff managed the programme of events, related to our children's individual needs and above all the professional way in which they worked to ensure that our students got the best experience possible. All of our students managed to climb the highest mountain in England, canoe across the deepest lake and climb (and jump down) the most magnificent Ghyll in the land; these big adventures will stay with them for the rest of their lives and it was only possible due to the tireless efforts of Carnegie Great Outdoors.

Parents FAQs

If your child needs to follow a special diet or has any allergies, ensure you inform the teacher or leader who is organising the school trip - they can then pass on the information to us and the accommodation provider.

Carnegie Great Outdoors will provide all the specialist equipment necessary for your child to participate in our activities. Daily safety and equipment checks are made by our Course Directors and risk assessments have been carried out for all activities and sites in which we operate. You will be given a kit list which identifies clothing that will be required for your child.

Please be advised:

  • Clothing and equipment will become wet and dirty during the residential
  • Denim jeans are not suitable for any of the activities
  • Please bring extra synthetic t-shirts and underwear for each wet activity
  • Boots are recommended to have ‘good tread’ and ankle support
  • Please remember to provide any medication your child needs for the week. Inform the teacher/group leader and highlight your child’s medical needs on the Medical Consent Form which will be provided.
  • Personal items are not covered by our insurance and although your child may wish to bring valuable items (i.e. cameras, jewellery, etc.) this is at your own risk

No previous experience is necessary. Our friendly instructors will tailor the activities to the experience of the group and encourage and support your child.
Yes, we provide buoyancy aids for all participants and our instructors will provide additional support for those less confident in the water
Different venues offer different rooms types and some venues are available with exclusive use - meaning only your group will stay there for the duration of your trip.
If your child has special needs, please ensure you inform the teacher or leader who is organising the school trip - they can then pass on the information to us to ensure activities are suitable and support is provided. We will always endeavour to ensure our activities are inclusive wherever possible.
Your child’s teacher or group leader will have ultimate responsibility for the welfare of their group throughout their excursion and are expected to take an active role in the supervision and support of group members. This will be under the overall direction and supervision of Carnegie Great Outdoors instructors whilst activities are running.

Safety is our primary concern. As providers of adventurous activities to children and young people under the age of 18, we are required by law to operate with the use of an AALA licence. This licence will ensure, through the guidance provided by its inspectors that we not only offer courses to young people safely, but that all our courses are delivered in line with recognised industry best practice.

We work with the aid of Technical Advisors and other experienced staff and have established a system of policies and procedures to ensure our clients get the most from our programmes without being exposed to unnecessary risk. We aim to provide appropriately challenging experiences while ensuring all members of our parties are not exposed to undue risk or danger.

Our licence number is R1845. This licence covers:

  • Kayaking
  • Open Canoeing
  • Improvised Rafting
  • Rock Climbing
  • Abseiling
  • Hill Walking & Mountaineering
  • Gorge Scrambling
  • Sea Level Traversing
  • Ice Climbing
  • Caving
  • Pot Holing
  • Stand Up Paddle Boarding
Adventure Activities Licensing Authority
For all off-site visits and all activities, we complete a full health and safety risk assessment and provide a set of operating procedures to ensure that delivery of activities is safe and complies with all regulatory conditions. Our risk assessments are regularly reviewed and updated and take full account of site specific activities at all our delivery locations.
The Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) helps employers make safer recruitment decisions and prevent unsuitable people from working with vulnerable groups, including children. It replaces the Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) and Independent Safeguarding Authority (ISA). All Carnegie Great Outdoors instructors are DBS checked.

Contact us