Student & Parent Pack
Leisure @ ALC (direct)
Multiple Days at Sealyham
Centre Information
Our stunning Grade II listed Georgian Mansion has recently been completly refurbished to a very high and comfortable standard. Ensuite rooms are between 4 and 8 beds, with teacher rooms on each corridor. All bedding is provided.
We will work with your school to allocate rooms before you arrive.
Sealyham has a number of multi-use rooms, these include a lounge with soft seating. The dining room can also double as a classroom area.
Here at Sealyham, all our menus are carefully chosen to provide the right balance of foods to fuel our adventurous visitors. Wherever possible, we’ll source locally and provide a menu that reflects the coastal environment. Catering for all dietary needs, our kitchen can create food that inspires and meets the needs of all visitors. Our newly refurbished dining areas provide the perfect setting to enjoy your meals and we look forward to serving you!
Kit List
The following list will help you pack your bag before you come to Sealyham. If the course is less than five days then please reduce amounts listed.
TOP TIPS FOR PACKING
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Try and pack your bags yourself so you know what you have brought with you
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Label everything so that you can identify it. You would be amazed at how much is left behind
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Casual, warm clothes are best
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Do not bring expensive clothing or gadgets as they may get dirty or lost. We cannot be responsible for personal belongings
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Clothing will get dirty and wet at times, we do have a drying room that will be used during the week
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During the warmer months please make sure you have some sunscreen and a hat.
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Please avoid bringing aerosol and other sprays. Roll on type deodorant are fine
ESSENTIAL ITEMS TO PACK
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5 - 6 T-shirts/ long sleeve tops
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3 - 5 Joggers/ leggings/trousers (not jeans please)
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3 - 4 Warm jumpers/fleeces
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6 - 8 sets of underwear
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Socks – at least 6-8 pairs of which 3 should be thick for use in boots/wellies
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Nightwear – pyjamas etc.
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Woolly hat and gloves
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Shoes – 1 pair of indoor shoes/ slippers and 2 pairs of outdoor trainers one of which can get wet and dirty
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1 Waterproof Anorak/Cagoule
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2 Towels
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Swimwear for under a wetsuit
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2 Shorts suitable to wear over a wetsuit
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Wash bag with personal hygiene items. No aerosols please
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Sunscreen and hat
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Reusable drink bottle (at least 1 litre)
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Lunch box (preferable rigid plastic, chiller bags get squashed easily)
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2 plastic carrier/ bin bags for dirty clothes
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Any medication you take such as an inhaler, please make sure it has your name on it
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1 small rucksack for daily use
OPTIONAL ITEMS TO PACK
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Torch – Useful for reading at bedtime
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Cameras - ensure waterproof and inexpensive. Disposable cameras are best.
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A book
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Wellies - if the weather is looking wet
STUDENT SUPERVISION
During the day we will group the student’s into 10’s with each group having an instructor and a member of staff from the school assigned to each group. Your instructor will stay with your group for the duration of the activities.
During the night students will share rooms which have between 4 and 8 beds in each, your school will inform you of who you are sharing with.
Each sleeping area will have teacher rooms and they will be the first point of call in the night if any students need anything. We will have members of staff onsite too in case there is a wider issue.
Each area has individual washing and toilet facilities either ensuite or just outside the room.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are the activities safe?
As an Outdoor Learning Centre safety is paramount and Sealyham holds an Adventure Activities Licencing Authority (AALA) Licence.
Can I bring a mobile phone?
Your teachers will make the decision on what you can and cannot bring. During your time here we wouldn’t want your phone to be damaged so they are not allowed on activities.
What’s the food like?
Healthy, happy and homely is the best way to describe our food. Our menus are designed to cover a broad range of tastes and also fulfil nutritional requirements. With our groups spend all day outside exploring the mountains and coastlines they burn a lot of calories so we ensure you that your child will be very well fed.
My child has a food intolerance, can this be catered for?
Yes, during the booking process the group leaders/ teachers will ask you on details about your child’s dietary requirements and then pass that information to us, we will then ensure your child is catered for. If you do have any particular concerns please get in touch.
Does my child need to bring bedding?
No, we provide bedding however one of their first tasks is to make their bed. If you can practice at home first we are sure the teachers would be grateful!
Will there be a member of staff on duty at night?
The accompanying staff from your school will be the first point of contact in the night if there are any problems. A member of staff from Sealyham will be on call throughout the night.
What happens if the weather is bad?
Each morning your instructor along with a member of staff from your school will meet to decide what you will do that day. The weather will be a big part of that decision, we have many options for different activities for all weathers.
Do you have appropriate safeguarding policies in place?
Yes, as part of the Active Learning Group we have strict, clear safeguarding policies that are regularly reviewed and all staff undergo enhanced DBS Checks. On top of this all staff take part in regular safeguarding training.
Do I need to provide my child with any specialist equipment?
No, we have all the specialist equipment that you would need for our courses. All equipment is inspected, cleaned and serviced regularly to maintain the highest standards of safety.
Any questions? Please contact your trip leader
OTHER HELPFUL INFORMATION
MEDICAL INFORMATION
Your school will make us aware of medical conditions of individuals within the group. This information is crucial for us to be able to ensure the activities are appropriate for all participants and any necessary alterations can be made. If we required further information about an individuals’ condition or feel specific alterations will need to be made, we will notify the school of this. Please ensure the school has up to date information regarding your child’s medical conditions and any update is disclosed as soon as possible to assist with this planning.
We believe that outdoor education should be inclusive, and we will endeavour to make the necessary alterations to accommodate all individuals. However, sometimes it is not possible to provide a safe experience for an individual and if this is the case, we will inform the school as early in the process as possible.
DIETARY INFORMATION
We have robust systems in place which accounts for more than the 14 listed allergens recognised by FSA legislation. We can supply a carb counted menu on request and have the facility to weigh food on site. All our catering staff and instructors are trained in allergy awareness and Natasha’s law. We endeavour to replicate an allergy free alternative for every meal, where this isn’t possible we can provide an alternative.
Fussy eaters can be catered for but due to cross contamination possibilities and storage issues we can not allow food to be brought into the centres except in severe medical circumstances.
Contact Details for Active Learning Centres
MANAGING RISK
There is inherent risk associated with all outdoor adventurous activities. By choosing to allow your child to attend an Active Learning Centre, you are accepting the presence of this risk and its potential consequences. Whilst we do everything we can to reduce this risk, we cannot remove it completely, nor would we wish to. The benefits that young people gain from exposure to risk are widely accepted and include an increase in self-confidence, self-reliance, and improved decision making skills, as well as an appreciation for real-life consequences.
We provide a controlled approach often in an uncontrolled environment, through the provision of appropriate safety equipment, qualified instructors and clear instruction. We teach young people how to safely negotiate the challenge they face and help them understand the tools they used within themselves to achieve it, through activity debriefs and reflection.
Each activity is risk assessed and the instructors are appropriately qualified and competent to safely lead the activity, whether it be through a national governing body qualification or in-house training, and follow the standard operating procedures in place. Prior to and throughout the activity the instructor will be assessing the conditions, group ability and performance. If an instructor feels continuing the activity will pose a risk to any members of the team, they will stop the activity.
If you have any concerns about your child’s conditions please do contact your school and they will pass the information to us.
info@activelearningcentres.co.uk | 01235 467304 |
Head office: Unit 15, Eyston Way, Abingdon, Oxfordshire OX14 1TR