Overview
From climbing to canoeing, and filming to the Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme, there’s something for everyone.
- Canoe Club
Number of members 24 Year group Years 7-13 Skills developed In the Michaelmas term, the club focuses on the basics of canoe and kayak paddling with all sessions based on the water. Over the winter months, the group has a cold weather programme of theory sessions, boat maintenance, pool training and paddle making sessions. In the summer, the club returns to the water. Meetings The club meets fortnightly on Tuesday between 4.30 and 6pm. Trips The club runs two trips annually. The first covers basic white water skills in both canoe and kayak in the Peak District, while the second, in the summer, usually incorporates a long distance paddle journey with wild camping along the way. - Climbing Club
Number of members 20 Year group Years 7-13 Skills developed Climbing Club is open to all ages and abilities and provides an exciting way to improve core strength, balance and flexibility. Meetings Training takes place on our own climbing wall. Drop-in sessions for novices are on Tuesday and Thursday lunchtimes; advanced club meets on Fridays between 4pm and 5.30pm. Trips We visit local climbing walls and take part in competitions. Each Easter Climbing Club goes on a five-day trip to Wales. - Outdoor Film and Photography Society
Number of members 20 Year group Years 7-Upper Sixth Skills developed With the advent of compact waterproof and high definition cameras the outdoor short and action movie genre has really taken off – a great example is the Banff Mountain Film Festival. Students learn techniques and can borrow our cameras for their own projects, and submit images and film to our annual exhibition. Meetings Weekly on Wednesday Lunchtime 1.15pm to 2pm. - PES Peak Silver (D of E)
Number of members 40 Year group Years 11-Upper Sixth Skills developed This group focuses on developing UK hiking skills in line with the Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme (D of E). Training develops students' navigation, cooking, hiking and campcraft skills, as well as their independence. The ultimate aim of the group is to complete an unaided five-day trek in the Brecon Beacons, Wales. Meetings There are seven training sessions over the course of the year which take place at lunchtime. Trips There are two trips over the course of the year: the training weekend held in November, which provides students with a grounding in hiking and camping in the UK hills, and a summer expedition in April, which is the culmination of the year’s training. On the summer expedition, students venture to the Brecon Beacons, hiking routes they have planned themselves and can opt to be assessed for the D of E Silver Award. - PES Peak Gold (D of E)
Number of members 20 Year group Lower Sixth and Upper Sixth, and Year 11s who are over 16 Skills developed This group focuses on developing trekking skills in line with the Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme (D of E). The ultimate aim of the group is to complete an unaided seven-day trek in the High Atlas Mountains of Morocco. Meetings There are seven training sessions throughout the year which take place at lunchtime. Trips There are two trips over the course of the year: a training weekend, which focuses on providing students with a grounding in hiking and camping in the UK hills, and a summer expedition, where students will trek their own planned routes across the High Atlas Mountains and can opt to be assessed for the D of E Gold Award. - PES Volunteering
Number of members 20 Year group Years 11-Upper Sixth Skills developed Volunteers in this group form part of the staff leadership team and can help deliver training sessions and instruct on expeditions. It is very rewarding for both the volunteers and the younger students they work alongside. To work as a PES volunteer, students must have at least one years’ experience as a member of a PES group. Meetings Volunteers can work with one of the following groups: PES Summit 10 (weekly meetings on Thursdays 4.30-6pm, Prep Outdoor Pursuits (eight meetings on Mondays 4-6.15pm), PES Ascent Group (Weekly meeting on Fridays 5.30-8.30pm), PES Wilderness Group (weekly meetings on Tuesdays 4.40pm-6.30pm)
