Physical education students organise outdoor adventure day

Published 21 February 2012

Trainee physical education teachers from Chelsea School of Sport recently facilitated a day of on–site outdoor and adventurous activities for over 100 year 8 pupils from Robertsbridge Community College.

Pupils took part in a series of activities designed to solve problems and overcome challenges of an adventurous nature where success is judged on how efficiently and safely challenges are overcome. Examples included score orienteering, indoor orienteering exercises, team–building activities, problem–solving and decision–making scenarios, and trust games.

Pupils from Robertsbridge Community College take part in team-building activities

The focus of the day’s activities was on the teaching and learning of on–site outdoor and adventurous activities (OAA), with respect to the range and content at key stage 3 identified in the national curriculum for physical education.

A pupil–centred teaching approach through the processes of planning, performing and evaluating was used to develop practical knowledge and understanding.

This process–based approach focused on learning from doing, ownership of learning and independent learning in line with the five key processes of the national curriculum for physical education programme of study.

The day was arranged and organised by senior lecturer Dr Gary Stidder. He said: “The event was the culmination of a semester’s work and preparation.  Students learnt how to teach realistic and achievable on–site outdoor and adventurous activities to secondary school pupils without the need to take pupils off–site or use specialist equipment and facilities.”