CLIMB EVERY MOUNTAIN ...
Locryn Williams from Embley tells Ali Dugdale why outdoor education is so important for developing confidence in – and out of – the classroom
EDUCATION
Ambition , belief , compassion . Embley ’ s ethos is a bold statement on the home page of the school ’ s website : a pledge of intent . Importantly , it is a practicable ethos , embodied by the whole school community .
So it comes as a bit of a surprise to hear from Locryn Williams , assistant head of outdoor education at the co-ed independent school just outside Romsey , that pupils are made to feel purposefully uncomfortable . Isn ’ t that at odds with the three words of the ethos ?
Challenges , Locryn explains , are vital to learning . “ We can often learn far more through our own failings than our successes ,” he says . “ It would be wrong to allow a fear of failure to inhibit taking up a challenge , which , research suggests , sadly has become a national default in many pupils post-Covid .
“ Problem avoidance makes children feel uncomfortable asking for help and encourages them to walk away from the issue instead . As part of outdoor education we provide pupils with opportunities to challenge themselves constantly , where risks are controlled but not entirely taken away . They gain the confidence to flourish outdoors – and in the classroom – by knowing that while they may get something wrong they will learn how to reach a more successful outcome .”
Outdoor education at Embley is an integral part of the curriculum and extends beyond the school day . It is a linear programme , so activities increase in skill and challenge level to reflect students ’ ages and development .
They begin with mastering bushcraft skills in natural science lessons from reception , learning how to work safely with fire and sharp tools . They include orienteering and the basics of climbing as a co-curricular activity . This prepares them for the great challenges on offer at the senior school , including Duke of Edinburgh Awards , the Combined Cadet Force , residential climbing trips to the rock faces of the Brecon Beacons and the demands of the Ten Tors .
Pupils in prep also have the opportunity to gain their sailing RYA level 1 and can later join the senior school ’ s race teams ; the school has an impressive fleet of keelboats , race craft and ribs moored nearby and Embley competes successfully in the Round the Island Race .
Locryn is delighted that many of his colleagues are involved . “ Outdoor education is a fantastic leveller ,” he says . “ Seeing how your teacher reacts to challenge , and how they model the same behaviour that is being asked of you , is invaluable for pupils ’ development . It also strengthens relationships back in the classroom .”
A former rugby semi-pro , Locryn comes from a family of climbers and has great ambitions for the growth of the outdoor education programme . “ When I interviewed for the post , the headmaster gave me the mandate that he wanted pupils ‘ to sail through the Mediterranean and climb the Pyrenees ’,” he says . “ We want the children to achieve their personal best , to have a spirit of enquiry , and to have a real desire to make a difference in the world .”
01794 512206 | www . embley . org . uk
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