Year 8

Outdoor Adventure Programme

Student’s have the chance to participate in 2 outdoor programmes from the following choices:

• Climbing
• Mountain biking
• Canoeing
• Dinghy Sailing
  
  Students will work towards their Bronze or Silver award in both their chosen activities

Climbing

Year 8 students have the opportunity to participate in sessions at ‘Creation’, a purpose-built climbing centre, if they choose climbing as one of their two outdoor activity choices. These day sessions (consisting of approximately 5 hours) focus on further developing climbing skill sets and progression towards the Silver and Gold awards.

Mountain biking

Year 8 students have the opportunity to go mountain biking at Sandwell Valley Country Park. Exploring the park as a group, students are taught different core biking techniques such as: body position; balance and co-ordination. They then put these techniques into practice on different gradients, surfaces and obstacles. Once these skills are mastered, students move on to a purpose-built off-road trail course where they are taught how trails work, the associated rules and the skills required to complete set pieces within the course.

Canoeing

Year 8 students have the opportunity to go paddling at Bartley reservoir in the fleet of canoes owned by the school. In addition to undertaking activities that lead them towards achieving their Bronze award, students undertake a deep-water exercise. Using the specialised equipment provided this exercise is designed to increase their understanding of buoyancy aids and help increase their confidence in open water. Once completed, students have the opportunity to explore the reservoir as a group and practice the skills required to achieve their Bronze award. 

Sailing

Students have the opportunity to go dinghy sailing at Bartley Green Reservoir with the school’s own fleet of sailing boats. After achieving each level, students are awarded with a certificate to show recognition for the skills they have developed and provide a record of their personal achievements. In addition to undertaking activities that lead them towards achieving their awards, students also undertake deep-water exercises. Using the specialised equipment provided these exercises are designed to increase their understanding of essential deep-water management and help develop their confidence in open water. Once completed, students move onto capsize drills. These controlled activities are important for students to be able manage and take responsibility of the sailing boats in open water. 

Duke of Edinburgh – Bronze Award

The Duke of Edinburgh (DofE) Award is a non-competitive, internationally recognised programme designed to encourage young people to develop positive skills and lifestyle habits. The Award is about personal challenge. It provides a balanced program of voluntary activities which encourages personal discovery and growth, self-reliance, perseverance, responsibility to themselves and service to their community.

The DofE programme consists of three progressive levels which, when completed, leads to a Bronze, Silver or Gold Duke of Edinburgh’s Award. At King Edward VI King’s Norton School for Boys students are offered the opportunity to participate with the Bronze DofE Award in year 9.

There are four sections to complete at Bronze level. They involve helping the community/environment; participating in a physical activity; developing new skills; and working as a team to plan, train and complete an expedition.