Page 14 - StudyTravel Magazine August 2024 Issue & Star Awards 2024 Supplement

SECONDARY FOCUS

Student demand for
outdoor learning in
secondary schools

While outdoor learning in
secondary schools may not
be a familiar concept in
many student markets
overseas, parents
may be swayed by

the benefits after
some counselling
The break from screens by agents who
fully understand
and traditional the programmes.
Sam Pitt from Pitt
English agency in
classroom settings Chile says, “Out-
door learning is a
fosters mindfulness new concept for me
to be honest. None
of our families request
outdoor learning as part of
understand the benefits, but they Islands the curriculum for their children.

don’t always find it easy to use it as a is a four-day Extracurricular activities and trips are

selling point to families. We regularly school week, we offer the option for requested though. It’s not something

publish blogs on a range of topics to students to take an outdoor education that they specifically ask for nor

help agents explain to families differ- program some Fridays. We have been something that is familiar to them.”

ent aspects of the offer.” offering this program for over 15 years Schools who offer such pro-

Bethany in Windermere adds that now and has proven to be one of the grammes however report that
the school’s location and outdoor highlights of a student’s time. We are demand comes from an array of
offering is often a draw for interna- stewards of this land and it is up to us student markets globally. Bethany

tional families. “The unique focus to keep them as pristine as possible.” O’Flaherty from Windermere School in
on outdoor education distinguishes Overall, schools that engage in the UK says, “At Windermere School,
Windermere School from other insti- outdoor learning have a strong belief our largest international student
tutions, offering an enriching and in the transformative experience it nationalities are currently from Hong

holistic learning experience that many can bring to pupils, particularly those Kong and the USA.” She continues,
international families find highly from overseas. Joyce says, “Interna- “We have a total of 26 different

attractive,” she says, adding, “Our tional students come from urban or nationalities represented within our
vocational course in Outdoor Adven- highly structured educational environ- student body. These demograph-
ture and Sport for sixth form students ments where outdoor learning is not ics have remained stable recently,

is new and launching in September a common practice. This exposure reflecting our school’s global appeal
2024, it has already proved very broadens their horizons, allowing and diverse community.”

popular and gained significant inter- them to appreciate the natural beauty Sheri Wakefield from the Gulf

est. Many students have chosen the and biodiversity of a new country. It Islands International Program at
school specifically for this course.” also encourages a sense of adventure School District #64 in Canada adds,

Sheri Wakefield from the Gulf and curiosity, fostering a deeper con- “Our largest number of international

Islands International Program at nection with their surroundings. Such students come from Western Europe,

School District #64 www.studyinbc.ca experiences are often transforma- specifically Germany. However, the
in Canada says that outdoor education tive, leaving lasting impressions and outdoor education is attractive to all
can also foster a sense of steward- contributing to a more well-rounded of the students who chose to study
ship of the outdoors in young people. and globally minded perspective.” here and so it becomes a very multi-
She says, “As our program in the Gulf bethan@studytravel.network cultural program.”
Photo right: Coastal Current Connections - School District #64 AUGUST 2024 11