Secondary and Sixth Form Activities
Secondary schools at Bryntysilio
Most secondary schools come to the centre on a 5 or 7 day residential course, during term time, and follow a fixed programme of activities. Throughout all of the activities and whilst staying at the centre, the key themes of ‘cooperation’, ‘initiative’, ‘responsibility’ and ‘effort’ are reinforced. All of the activities are designed to fulfil the centre aims, and are lead by the fully qualified and experienced centre teaching staff.
A weekly programme usually consists of 3 days of introductory activities, such as climbing, canoeing and navigation, and then this is followed by 2 option days on which students can choose activities. The final day is usually a mountain day, which is always a great way to finish the week.
The activities
Canoeing
This is either done in Open Canoes, which are designed for 2 or 3 people, or individual kayaks. We use a number of different venues, including the local canal, the Lower Dee at Chester, or Bala Lake. The sessions usually include the students learning basic canoeing skills, playing some games and going on a journey.
If you would like to find out more about canoeing, check out the British Canoe Union website
Climbing
We often start a climbing session with some rock scrambling, on some short rock outcrops on and around the Llangollen Escarpment. This allows students to get a feel for moving around on the rock, before heading off to a local quarry, where we set up a number of roped climbs. These can be of varying degrees of difficulty, but we always try to suit the climbs to the group. We also teach the students basic rope work, and they learn how to hold each others ropes whilst climbing. If the group choose to, we often end the day with an abseil.
On ‘Option Days’ we take climbing groups to another venue called Pandy Crag, which is in a stunning location and offers some excellent climbing for groups, as well as some fantastic views of the local hills.
If you would like to find out more about rock climbing, please visit the British Mountaineering Council website
Navigation
This activity is aimed at teaching the groups how to read maps and how to manage themselves out on a walk through the local countryside. After a short classroom based lesson on maps, the groups head out into the hills with an instructor. After several hours of teaching, the groups are given a route to follow independently, with the instructor monitoring their progress at various check points. This always proves to be a memorable day and a great bonding experience for the groups.
Caving
A great activity for those who like getting muddy! We use several local caves, which provide a unique experience, extending several hundred metres underground. Kitted out with lamps, helmets and caving suits, the groups walk, crawl and shuffle their way into some amazing environments, with stalactites and stalagmites, underground streams, flowstone features, and sometimes even bats.
For more information on caving check out the National Caving Association website
Mountain biking
We have a fleet of well maintained, high quality mountain bikes, all with front suspension and disc brakes. Groups choosing this as an option, are coached the basic skills of riding a bike off-road, during the morning, and then we head off to the local mountain bike centre at Llandegla forest. This venue provides superb facilities, with purpose built tracks to suit all levels. Even if individuals have not tried mountain biking before, the whole group are always buzzing with excitement at the end of this activity.
For more information on biking check out the Welsh mountain biking website
Gorge walking
This is a half-day activity that takes place in a small local gorge. The groups follow a stream as it flows down through a forest, and on the way they must negotiate waterfalls, small plunge pools, rock walls and natural water slides. It is a great opportunity for everyone in the group to help each other, have a lot of fun, and get very wet!!
Mining
This is another underground trip into the past. We go into an old slate mine, and explore the expansive network of tunnels on three different levels. There are many impressive passageways, caverns, and pieces of old machinery to see. This is a fascinating first hand experience of history, and a very atmospheric and unique trip.
Orienteering
This is a Half-day activity, in a local forest. It is run as a competition, with small teams using their map reading skills to find markers around the forest. For more information about orienteering, please visit the British Orienteering website
Cross country skiing
If we are lucky enough to have a good snow fall, we take groups out along local forest and moorland tracks, to experience the buzz of skiing. For many, this is often their first time on skis, and although cross country skiing is quite difficult to master, they usually have a great time and learn a lot.
Mountain day
The centre is situated in an impressive area, with the mountains of the Berwyns and the Llantysilio Range close by, and the mountains of Snowdonia only a short drive away. This activity usually happens on the last day, and it is a real achievement for all involved, to reach the summit of one of these peaks. We often have stunning views, and students find it very rewarding on reaching the top, literally ending the week on a high!
Evening activities
These take place after the evening meal, usually based on or around the centre grounds.
- canal walk
- equipment talk
- orienteering
- group activity / ropes course
- swimming (at a local leisure pool)
- social evening
Groups are also encouraged to write a diary each evening. This gives students the opportunity to reflect upon the day’s activity, and it provides a valuable record of their memories, to take home.
Sixth form courses at Bryntysilio
The sixth form courses that we run at the centre are designed to encourage and develop teamwork, communication and problem solving skills (covering many of the curriculum ‘Key Skills’). The students who attend these courses have a very memorable time, and feel that they learn a great deal about themselves and their peers.
They will then take part in a number of the outdoor activities as described in the ‘General Secondary Courses’ information page, and also take part in some ‘Team Building’ exercises. The last day is usually a full day ‘problem solving’ challenge, in which the whole team work together, and draw upon the skills they have learned through the week.
GNVQ courses
We have also run a number of courses covering much of the ‘Adventure Tourism’ aspects of the ‘Leisure and Tourism’ GNVQ. Students take part in a range of outdoor activities and have an input in the planning of sessions, and risk assessments.
Equipment provided by Bryntysilio
When groups arrive, everyone is issued with the following equipment;-
- walking boots
- waterproof top
- waterproof trousers
- a fleece
- a windproof
- a rucksack
Equipment you should bring with you
Personal items:
- wash bag
- night clothes
- evening clothes for around the centre
- indoor trainers or slippers
- underwear for each day
- plenty of socks
- a plastic bag to take home wet or dirty clothes
Clothes for activities:
- several sweat shirts, jumpers, or fleeces
- 3 or more t-shirts
- several pairs of tracksuit bottoms
- several pairs of thick skiing or hiking socks
- a wool or fleece hat
- warm gloves
- an old pair of trainers
- swimming costume
- during winter – extra warm tops and extra trousers
Useful Extras:
- plasters
- camera
- torch