Outdoor education is an important element of the educational curriculum here at Concord.  We believe that it is good to challenge students physically and mentally in an environment outside the formal academic curriculum.   Such challenges provide an important means of developing self-knowledge and of dealing with adversity.

Students in Form 3, Form 4, Form 5 and 6.1 can all expect to undertake an undertake an outdoor education experience each year.  Such trips typically last between two and four days and will usually involve a combination of rock climbing, canoeing, walking and cycling.  All activities take place under the supervision of trained outdoor education professionals and students are accompanied by members of the Concord staff and take place in activity centres in Wales or in the north of England.

In addition to these off-site experiences, all students are encouraged to make use of Concord’s own ‘ropes course’ when they arrive at the College.  Under the supervision of college staff, the ropes course is an excellent opportunity to try ‘something different’, to develop team working and communication skills as well as to bond with new friends.

Overall, we believe that outdoor education plays an important role in developing student self-confidence and self-belief.  It is always a joy to see the look on a student’s face when they realize that they have achieved something that they initially thought was beyond them…