Outdoor Education
Outdoor Education (OE) plays a key role in life at Giggleswick and we take full advantage of the beautiful and challenging countryside in which the School is situated. The department has had Adventure Activities Licensing Authority Scheme Status since 2004.
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Over 160 pupils take part in a variety of OE activities and we emphasise the importance of understanding safety issues and using sound judgement, as well as gaining technical experience. We take full advantage of our stunning location and pupils benefit from the use of campus facilities including a swimming pool and indoor climbing wall.
On Friday afternoons, all Year 9 pupils follow a programme of activities leading to the award of the Giggleswick Certificate. This involves climbing, caving, mountain biking, kayaking and orienteering as well as expedition training to prepare for a two day unaccompanied journey at the end of the summer term.
Meet our Head of Outdoor Education
Shute Housemaster, Pete Keron, leads our Outdoor Education provision. Mr Keron has been teaching Maths here at Giggleswick for ten years as well as instructing climbing, kayaking, mountaineering and mountain biking.
Mr Keron’s passion for the outdoors began with Kayaking and he has represented Great Britain five times at the World Championships as well as winning three National Championships in the sport. Originally from Cumbria, he has rock climbed extensively throughout the UK and Europe and has cycled solo across America as well as from Land’s End to John O’Groats. He is also a keen fell runner and mountain bike racer and won the Adidas Terex ‘Coast to Coast’ Adventure race in 2015.
Meet Pete Keron
“Our Outdoor Education provision provides a superb opportunity that reflects the amazing geography and geology of our location. There can be no other school in the UK, if not the world, with such immediate access to caves, rivers, crags, trails, an indoor pool, climbing wall and a Bronze Duke of Edinburgh expedition directly from the school grounds. I can’t wait to build on the fantastic opportunities pupils already have. These experiences give children and young people skills that have a positive impact in all aspects of their life; building confidence, encouraging problem solving and increasing resilience"
The Duke of Edinburgh's Award
Giggleswick encourages participation in the Duke of Edinburgh's Award Scheme. Following the Giggleswick OP certificate which covers the expedition element of the Bronze award, pupils can opt to either complete the Bronze award or go directly onto Silver and then Gold.
There are many different and valuable aspects of the Award: service to the school and local community, learning a wide variety of physical skills, undertaking an overnight expedition, as well as gaining an extra qualification which is highly regarded by universities and employers.
