Raising achievement

Raising Achievement

Pendarren House’s secondary courses are about raising young people’s achievement. Through an organised, powerful approach to learning. Where direct experience is of prime importance.

We design each course to your needs. We have run successful courses for schools focussing on low achievers, school refusers, more able and talented as well as groups such as school councils etc..

Meaningful learning occurs through acquiring skills through real life hands-on activities. This is not only about what we learn, but most importantly, how and where we learn. It is about improving young people’s understanding, skills, values, personal and social development. This will act as a vehicle to develop young people’s capacity and motivation to learn.

Real-world learning brings the benefits of formal and informal education together. This reinforces what good educationalists have always known. The most meaningful learning occurs through acquiring knowledge and skills through real-life, practical or hands-on activities. There is a wealth of evidence which clearly demonstrates the benefits for young people’s learning and personal development outside the classroom.

In summary, Pendarren House courses:

• tackles social mobility. By giving children new and exciting experiences that inspire them to reach their true potential. Real-world experiences raise aspirations, equipping young people with the skills they need to become active and responsible citizens. This shapes a fit and motivated workforce.
• addresses educational inequality. Re-motivating children who do not thrive in the traditional classroom environment. Especially as those from disadvantaged backgrounds or with Special Educational Needs. Young people experiencing learning outside the classroom as a regular part of their school life benefit enormously. Especially with increased self-esteem. They become more engaged in their education both inside and outside the classroom walls.
• supports improved standards back INSIDE the classroom. Raises attainment, reducing truancy and improving discipline. Learning outside the classroom is known to contribute significantly to raising standards & improving pupils’ personal, social & emotional development.

Inclusion – working with children with challenging behaviour

There is substantial research evidence to suggest that outdoor adventure programs can impact positively on young people’s attitudes, beliefs and self-perceptions. Examples of outcomes include independence, confidence, self-esteem, locus of control, self-efficacy, personal effectiveness and coping strategies.

Interpersonal and social skills can also benefit from outdoor learning. Effects such as social effectiveness, communication skills, group cohesion and teamwork are improved.

Outdoor education enables students and teachers to interact in an environment free from the limitations of the classroom. The change in environment can facilitate learning by removing students from the classroom setting which they may already identify with failure.

Pendarren House uses outdoor education to develop communication skills, group work, problem solving, decision making, coping with change and other difficulties. All students can access a great range of activities such as canoeing, climbing and caving. Outdoor activities are enjoyable and exciting. They also have the advantage of taking pupils out of their comfort zone and building self-esteem.

When used correctly, Outdoor and Adventurous Activities are effective as a tool for facilitating social and emotional development, as well as the physical benefits gained from such activities.

Extension courses for more able students

Pendarren House is uniquely place to provide courses that nurture, develop and stretch more able students talents and interests. A residential outdoor education course can add to the enrichment programmes for more able students and are designed to challenge and extend personal skills and knowledge. We can tailor a course to whichever curriculum area you would like to enrich and, working with the school’s teachers, we will enthuse these students to enable them to continue to develop.

These courses enrich students learning and broaden their experiences of the world. They are designed for those who have enquiring minds, thrive on learning, enjoy creativity and who welcome academic rigor and challenge.
Courses seek to go beyond the confines of the National Curriculum encouraging further growth in confidence and self.
Through mental stimulation young people develop problem-solving and thinking skills, raise aspirations and foster an enthusiasm for future learning.

Reward Courses

Used as an incentive to encourage students to make that extra little bit of effort, as well as a reward for those who have tried hard, had excellent attendance or exceeded expectations. A fun course makes the reward meaningful to your students and helps them to forget some of the stresses of school, life or exams.

To make the course even more effective involving the students in the choice of activity options is a great way to get the students to ‘buy’ into the course. To extend the students, Pendarren can give the students leadership roles and responsibilities to help them in their development.