Pupil, Curriculum & School Enrichment
Our primary objectives will always remain as both ensuring that participants get what they want or need from a programme as well as having fun and enjoying the outdoors. For some programmes we build plans and syllabi from scratch to meet your aims, for others we may incorporate recognised awards, certificates or training where this is beneficial to your pupils, school or organisation.
Feedback on delivery of recognised award schemes have proven popular in a variety of ways:
Primary school age participants
- Meeting personal, social, health and well-being education goals, curriculum enhancement, delivery of learning outside the classroom, transition to secondary school, provision as part of adventure camps and residentials to build confidence and sense of achievement.
Secondary school / college age participants
- Tailored personal, social, health and well-being development, projects with a citizenship and community focus, alternative curriculum provision, learning outside the classroom options, programmes and residentials to help manage the transition to secondary school, extra curriculur activities and enrichment, National Record of Achievement (NRA) inclusion for further education, university or job applications.
Schools, Colleges, OFSTED inspected organisations
- Supporting OFSTED ratings and increasing scope of delivery in different curriculum and extra-curriculur areas, evidencing achievement in different ways, supporting alternative curriculum education for a range of different learners, incorporating learning outside the classroom, providing structured extra-curriculur activities, meeting multiple objectives in one learning programme, reducing stress and workloads for teaching staff.
John Muir Award
What is it?
A national environmental award scheme encouraging people of all backgrounds to connect with, enjoy and care for wild places. Each award has four challenges to complete:
- Discover a wild place;
- Explore it;
- Conserve it;
- Share your experience.
What ages can take part?
This award works best from around age 8+. We have found the Discovery Award to be the most requested of the 3 and this is as popular with primary and secondary schools as with colleges, adults and families - AE tailors activities to meet both the age range and interests of the group.
What is the time commitment?
There are 3 levels of John Muir Award, the difference being the time commitment for each:
- Discovery Award - 4 days / 25+ hours;
- Explorer Award - 8 days / 50+ hours;
- Conserver Award - 125+ hours.
How can it be delivered?
- Primary Schools: a series of Sessions at School, during 'Non-Residential' days, as part of the focus of a Brilliant Residential, delivered in tandem with JASS Award across a school term or school year for those about to transition to secondary school;
- Secondary Schools: in tandem with outdoor adventure activities to form an Outdoor Activity Residential, over two Outdoor Activity Weekends, as part of a JASS Award programme for Yr 7 and Yr 8 pupils over a school year, as a DofE Expedition or Residential programme theme;
- Individuals: on a Wildlife & Conservation Residential, on a Wildlife & Conservation Activity Days programme, tailor-made Activity Days programmes, Family Activity Days.
Junior Award Scheme for Schools (JASS)
What is it?
An accredited award scheme to recognise wider achievement in young people. Strong community, personal development and citizenship focus. Different levels of award with four sections in each award. A certificate is awarded for achieving each award section along with a full award certificate and pin badge for completing a full award.
What ages can take part?
Shorter awards can be delivered from Key Stage 1 (lower primary school years) through to secondary school for the Gold award - this has been particularly beneficial in helping with transition from primary to secondary school and/or to feed into DofE programmes.
What is the time commitment?
Varied depending on level of award - time commitment usually ranges from activities across a school term to across a school year.
How can it be delivered?
- Primary Schools: Sessions at School, Non-Residentials, Brilliant Residentials, extra-curriculur sessions, alongside John Muir Award or other training e.g. first aid or Outdoor Discovery Awards;
- Secondary Schools: Combination of in school sessions, Outdoor Activity Residentials, Outdoor Activity Weekends, alongside other awards and training e.g. John Muir Award and First Aid.
Duke of Edinburgh Award (DofE)
What is it?
A youth achievement award for young people aged 14 - 25. There are three levels of award and four sections to undertake at each award with the addition of a fifth at Gold level - a Residential. AE delivers the DofE expedition section at all levels of award as well as the Gold residential section.
What ages can take part?
Ages 14 - 25 years
What is the time commitment?
Qualifying Expeditions (pre-expedition training and practice expeditions needed in advance at Silver and Gold levels):
- Bronze - 2 days, 1 night
- Silver - 3 days, 2 nights
- Gold - 4 days, 3 nights
Gold Residentials:
- 5 days, 4 nights
How can it be delivered?
- Secondary Schools / Colleges: tailored expedition programmes to meet student and school needs, open expedition programmes for those not able to join school or college programmes;
- Groups / organisations: e.g. universities, organisations, groups of friends wishing to complete expeditions together - tailor-made expedition programmes;
- Individuals: Open Expedition and Residential programmes.
Outdoor Discovery Awards
What is it?
The Outdoor Discovery Awards have three levels all of which are based around engaging with the outdoors and learning journey/navigation skills that can be applied to everyday life through simple maps such as street maps, pictorial park maps and orienteering maps. Really good fun to combine with a variety of curriculum areas. Badges and certificates are awarded on completion of each level.
What ages can take part?
There are three levels of award and these give a gradual skills progression. Awards are suitable for all ages but probably work best from around age 7 upwards.
What is the time commitment?
Variable - depending on age and award level. These awards can be integrated into other programmes or delivered in a shorter time as a standalone award. Give us a call to chat through options.
How can it be delivered?
- Primary Schools: Sessions at School, Non-Residentials, Brilliant Residentials, as part of JASS awards or alongside John Muir Awards / first aid training;
- Secondary Schools: As part of Outdoor Activity Programmes, delivered as a standalone day from school, as part of DofE or JASS programmes, alongside John Muir Awards or first aid training, as part of curriculum enhancement or learning outside the classroom curriculum delivery;
- Individuals: As part of tailor-made Activity Days.
National Navigation Award Scheme (NNAS)
What is it?
A navigation award scheme based on personal achievement for all ages and abilities. There are three levels of award designed to increase personal navigation skills and participant confidence in getting out into the countryside.
NNAS Awards are accredited by the Scottish Credit & Qualifications Framework (SCQF) and SCQF credit points are awarded on completion.
What ages can take part?
The schemes are open to all ages but best suited to Secondary School aged students and adults.
What is the time commitment?
Time commitment depends on method of delivery but syllabus content is based on:
Bronze Award (2 SCQF points at Level 4) - gives a good grounding in navigation skills in the countryside using paths, tracks and other linear features;
Silver Award (2 SCQF points at Level 5) - involves navigating in areas of countryside with open access including stretches away from paths and tracks;
Gold Award (2 SCQF points at Level 6) - builds on Bronze and Silver skills to include dealing with both large and small complex contour features.
How can it be delivered?
- Secondary Schools: As part of JASS or DofE programmes, during Outdoor Activity Residentials or Outdoor Activity Weekends, as part of Summer Mountain Experiences (Gold level), as part of some BTEC Modules;
- Individuals: As part of Tailor-Made Activity Days, Family Activity Days, Family Outdoor Skills Days, bespoke navigation training.
First Aid Training
What is it?
Valuable life skills for all ages. Delivery is either via recognised ITC courses or tailored and certificated to your requirements (e.g. first aid for DofE, first aid for teachers and outdoor learning).
What ages can take part?
All ages.
What is the time commitment?
Recognised courses:
- Outdoor First Aid: 8 or 16 hours;
- Emergency First Aid at Work: 6 hours;
- First Aid for School Staff: 4 hours;
- First Aid for DofE Participants: 4 hours.
How can it be delivered?
- Primary Schools: Sessions at School, Non-Residentials, standalone courses, curriculum enhancement, qualifications or CPD for teachers and leaders;
- Secondary Schools: In school training, as part of Outdoor Activity Residentials, DofE programmes, qualifications or CPD for teachers and leaders - join an open course or run one for a group in school, standalone courses;
- Individuals: Open courses or a bespoke course if there is a group of you.
International Award / Adventurous Journey
What is it?
The Duke of Edinburgh's International Award is a 'non-formal education and learning framework operating in more than 130 countries and territories around the world'. The International Award uses a similar framework to the UK DofE award scheme and AE works with a number of international schools who would like to undertake Adventurous Journeys in either the UK or Europe as part of their award.
What ages can take part?
Bronze - age 14+;
Silver - age 15+
Gold - age 16+.
How can it be delivered?
Through schools, colleges, universities, youth organisations or like groups in similar ways to the delivery of DofE programmes in the UK.
See here for full International Award Information