Outdoor Learning & Duke of Edinburgh

The John Muir Award is an environmental award scheme that encourages participants to connect with, enjoy, and care for wild places. Named after John Muir, the pioneering naturalist and conservationist, this award inspires young people to develop a deeper understanding of the natural world and their role in protecting it. 

It is structured around four key challenges, which provide a hands-on, experiential approach to outdoor learning: 

🌿 Discover 
Participants explore and learn about wild places, whether local woodlands, national parks, coastal areas, or even school grounds. This phase fosters curiosity and awareness, helping students engage with their surroundings in a meaningful way. Activities might include: 
Guided nature walks to identify local wildlife and habitats. 
Researching conservation areas and their importance. 
Learning about John Muir’s legacy and his impact on global conservation efforts. 

🏕 Explore 
Building on their discoveries, participants actively engage with wild places, experiencing them first-hand. This challenge is about adventure and immersion, pushing learners outside their comfort zones through: 
Navigation exercises and map-reading in outdoor settings. 
Shelter-building, bushcraft skills, or survival techniques. 
Outdoor journaling, photography, or creative projects inspired by nature. 

🌱 Conserve 
A core element of the award is taking action to protect and improve the environment. Conservation work gives students a sense of responsibility and achievement by participating in hands-on projects such as: 
Litter-picking and environmental clean-ups. 
Tree planting and habitat restoration. 
Creating awareness campaigns on local conservation issues. 

📢 Share 
The final stage encourages participants to reflect on and communicate their experiences. Sharing can be done through: 
Presentations or storytelling to classmates, family, or the wider community. 
Creating artwork, videos, or blogs showcasing their conservation efforts. 
Organizing an event or campaign to inspire others to take part in environmental action. 

Why the John Muir Award? 

✅ Accessible to all – No prior outdoor experience needed; it’s adaptable for all abilities. 
✅ Encourages environmental stewardship – Helps students develop a sense of responsibility for nature. 
✅ Develops key skills – Enhances problem-solving, teamwork, and leadership. 
✅ Perfect preparation for DofE – Builds confidence and outdoor skills that feed directly into the Bronze Duke of Edinburgh Award. 

Our outdoor learning program seamlessly integrates the John Muir Award, ensuring that students not only gain recognition for their efforts but also develop a lifelong appreciation for the natural world. Under the guidance of Ewan Martin, students take part in engaging, hands-on activities that help them grow as individuals while making a positive impact on the environment. 

The DofE Award is a globally recognized youth achievement program that helps young people develop essential life skills, resilience, and confidence. Under the guidance of Ewan Martin, our Outdoor Education Lead, experienced DofE leader, and expedition assessor, students receive expert instruction and support to navigate the challenges of their Bronze and Silver Awards. 

Bronze Award (Ages 14+) 

The Bronze DofE consists of four sections: 

✅ Volunteering – Contributing to the community, building responsibility and empathy. 
✅ Physical – Engaging in sports or fitness activities for overall well-being. 
✅ Skills – Learning a new talent or refining an existing one. 
✅ Expedition – A two-day, one-night outdoor journey, emphasizing teamwork, resilience, and navigation. 

Participants commit to each section for 3–6 months, with their expedition carefully planned and led by our Outdoor Education Lead. 

Silver Award (Ages 15+) 

The Silver DofE builds on the Bronze level, requiring a higher level of commitment and challenge: 

✅ Volunteering – A 6-month community service project. 
✅ Physical & Skills – One for 6 months, the other for 3 months. 
✅ Expedition – A three-day, two-night journey, further developing independence and leadership. 

For students who did not complete Bronze, an additional 6 months is required in either Volunteering or their longer Skills/Physical section.