Student & Parent Pack
Bickley Park School
2 Day Residential at Cuffley (Pods)
Centre Information
Each of our two pod villages can sleep up to 48 students and 4 staff. There is also a central open yurt, for cosy fireside evenings.
Students share comfortable and spacious four bed pods, each pod is heated and all bedding is provided. Teachers have separate pods within the village.
Food is an important part of any stay, we are offering a unique catering experience this year with four areas to dine at during your stay. Tortilla wrap bar in our dining hall, woodfired pizzas made to your requirements, pasta selection at the woodland yurt kitchen and our new charcoal BBQ grill and smoker, offering burgers served with lots of fresh salads.
Juices and snacks including fresh fruit served during the day.
Each pod village has a wash block on site with individual showers and toilets. The area is lit over night and each pod has an outside light should anyone need to get up in the dark.
SAMPLE 2 DAY ITINERARY
DAY 1
MORNING
ARRIVAL
Once you are off the coach we will take you to your Pod Village and introduce you to the Centre. Your leader will be with you and will give you a full briefing of everything to expect over the coming days.
We will walk around the site getting to know the main areas where you will eat. There is also a safety briefing. You will also need to unpack and make your own bed.
LUNCH
ORIENTEERING
Orienteering is an exciting outdoor activity. Work as a team to find designated points in our beautiful 96-acre woodland. Using a map of the woods, and no set route to follow, students can explore their new environment using their ingenuity and new found navigation skills.
TARGET SPORTS
A split session of two different types of target sport. Archery and Tomahawk throwing are activities that will challenge the participant in new ways. Archery is an ancient past time that was once the national sport of the U.K and is great for students hand eye co-ordination.
DINNER
CAMPFIRE
Reflect on your day around the campfire. Evenings can be spent chatting with your peers about your experiences, sing some campfire songs or spend some down time in the company of your classmates reading and relaxing. Toast a marshmallow and make some smores before retiring to bed.
BEDTIME
It’s time to head into your pod ready for a good nights sleep ahead of a busy day tomorrow.
DAY 2
BREAKFAST
GET READY
Once you are up it is time for breakfast. As today is your last day you will need to pack you kit ready for collection later today.
CLIMBING
With climbing now in the Olympics, could you be in the next generation of climbing superstars? Climb to the top of our dedicated climbing wall using your balance and footwork, pick your route to the top. Students will have to trust their teammates, who under supervision and using ropes and safety equipment will lower you back to the ground.
LUNCH
NIGHTLINE
During the activity participants discuss the different senses before testing them through a series of tasks and games. Throughout the activity the group will have a chance to reflect on how losing one of their senses feels and to consider others. The aim here is to develop an understanding of how communicating using different senses can enhance other skills.
DEPARTURE
It’s time to go back up to the coaches after a very busy week. You’ll be heading back with some great stories and memories.
Kit List
We do stress that it is not necessary to go out and buy all new and expensive kit to come on our trips. If you have appropriate footwear and some warm clothes you will be fine, but just to be sure we have outlined the key items of kit below.
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. Clothing will get dirty and wet at times
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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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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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A bag or suitcase to carry all of your kit (please no bin bags!)
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Small Rucksack
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Nightwear – pyjamas etc.
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Joggers/ leggings/Trousers (not jeans please)
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T-Shirts
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Warm Jumpers or Fleeces
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Waterproof Jacket and Trousers
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Warm Socks and Underwear
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Footwear (2 pairs - Old Trainers and either walking boots or Welly's)
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Towel and Washing kit
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Reusable drink bottle (at least 1 litre)
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Torch
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Any medication you take such as an inhaler, please make sure it has your name on it
WEATHER DEPENDANT
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Warm Hat
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Warm Gloves
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Sun Hat
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Sun Cream
STUDENT SUPERVISION
During the day we will group the student’s into 15’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 pods which each sleep 4, your school will inform you of who you are sharing with.
Each village will have teacher pods 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 pod village has it’s own wash block for exclusive use.
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the food like?
We are offering a unique catering experience this year with four areas to dine at during your stay. Tortilla wrap bar in our dining hall, woodfired pizzas made to your requirements, pasta selection at the woodland yurt kitchen and our new charcoal BBQ grill and smoker, offering burgers, chicken and grilled haloumi kebabs, all served with lots of fresh salad.
What happens if the weather is bad?
We will continue with the itinerary even if the weather is a bit cold and wet so make sure you bring appropriate clothing! if the weather is really bad (high winds or lighting) we will make changes to the itineraries or move indoors.
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. We would strongly discourage bring any form of electronic device.
Will there be a member of staff on duty at night?
Yes! The staff from your school will stay in the pod village. We will have two members of the Cuffley team on duty throughout the night. Most of our instructors and centre staff also live onsite so there are lots of people about.
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!
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.
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.
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