| Lanehead Visit |
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 On the 23rd March 2009, 27 Year Eight student’s and three members of staff went for a week’s residential experience at Lanehead Outdoor Education Centre, on Lake Coniston. This centre provides life changing experiences for the students from Redcar & Cleveland as well as the other three Boroughs’.
After a three hour coach journey buffeted by strong winds on the A66, which managed to take off the coach’s side mirror, the group deposited their luggage in their en-suite bedrooms, ate a quick lunch and were spilt into small groups to get to know their instructor for the week through the first activity, a walk in the local area. During the evening the party went with trepidation into Grizedale Forest clutching their torches for security against the darkness, which some student’s had not seen the like of before with the light pollution of Redcar. The rest of the week was conducted at a break neck speed with activities morning, afternoon and evening. All three groups completed a session on the climbing wall in the grounds and the all-abroad platform, which involved climbing a telegraph pole and endeavouring for at least two members but up to four, balancing precariously on a platform measuring eighteen inches square. The students are harnessed to safety ropes and there is no danger involved but it does take nerves of steel to complete the challenge.  The groups went to different rivers to complete the Ghyll Scrambling challenge which develops team work and courage, navigating various obstacles within the river. With Kayaking and Canoeing on the Lake itself, followed by “bombing” off the jetty, self-guided walks, Team games in the centre and within the grounds, a 40 foot abseil into Cathedral Quarry, an unaccompanied night walk around the world famous beauty spot of Tarn Hows, a scree scramble in Coppermine’s Valley and culminating in an Orienteering course on the Friday Morning, the students were physically and mentally exhausted on the journey home. The three members of staff joined in all the activities, assisting the instructors and students alike, something that other visiting staff does not always do. Within the residential experience the staff from Lanehead complemented the students on their awareness of safety measures, consideration of others, sharing in the tasks including washing up after meals and showing great regard for the environment and each other. As always the staff at Lanehead enjoyed another successful experience of working with our students who are always a credit to the school. |