NT Outdoor Learning

Over the half-term break, a group of students ventured to the Lake District with our Outdoor Learning team for a week of summer mountaineering. Despite the less-than-summery weather – with plenty of rain – the spirit of adventure remained undampened!

Throughout the week, the students took on a variety of exciting challenges: they summited mountains, climbed impressive crags, scrambled along iconic ridge lines, and even canoed across a majestic mountain lake.

The aim of the trip was to introduce students to the many ways the mountains can be explored and enjoyed – and they fully embraced every opportunity, showing resilience, teamwork, and enthusiasm throughout. A fantastic week of outdoor adventure and personal growth!

Bronze 1 Assessment Expedition this weekend - hints and tips!

We hope that all the students that are in Bronze 1 are looking forward to their DofE Assessment Expediton this weekend! In preparation, here are some useful hints and tips for you:
Expedition Food - think lightweight, will it cook quickly and, most importantly, will you enjoy it?
Bag packing - remember, students are the experts as they’ve had all the training! We will look at bags and help with them before we depart on Saturday.

If you want to borrow a bag, you can come and collect one from Base Camp on Friday at 3pm.

Any questions, go and find Mr. Blum or email him on [email protected]

Recently, 50 of our Year 10 students ventured to Dartmoor with the Outdoor Learning team to complete their Silver Duke of Edinburgh’s Award practice expedition. The conditions were challenging, with warm daytime temperatures and chilly nights, demanding resilience and determination from everyone involved.

Throughout the expedition, the students developed advanced navigation techniques, refined their campcraft skills, and even learned how to purify their own water—essential knowledge for self-sufficient outdoor travel. They showed great teamwork and perseverance as they navigated the rugged terrain of Dartmoor.

A huge congratulations to all the students for rising to the challenge. They represented the school exceptionally well, and we even received some lovely feedback from the campsite staff about their conduct and attitude.

The NTOL Team is now looking forward to seeing these skills in action during the upcoming assessment expedition in a few weeks’ time.

Since Easter, we’ve had the pleasure of taking lots of groups out on Reward Adventure Days with the Outdoor Learning Team – and we’re finally catching up on sharing some of the fantastic photos with you all!

One recent highlight was a group of Year 8 students heading out to a local crag to put their climbing skills to the test. They spent the day scrambling, climbing, and belaying – all under glorious blue skies. While it was very much a reward day, it was also a great learning experience. The students took on full responsibility for each other’s safety, working in pairs under the careful supervision of the NTOL team.

Keep an eye out – we’ll be sharing more Reward Day photos soon!

In May, 120 of our Year 9 students took part in their Bronze Duke of Edinburgh training expeditions. Despite a last-minute change to the plan, they adapted brilliantly and rose to the challenge with resilience and enthusiasm.

Throughout the two weekends, students embraced a wide range of new skills. They learned how to pack their rucksacks effectively, navigate through the countryside, develop essential hillwalking techniques, master campcraft and cooking, and understand key emergency procedures.

By the second day of each expedition, all groups were confidently navigating their routes independently, under the remote supervision of the NTOL Team. The behaviour, teamwork, and positive attitude displayed by the students were truly outstanding.

We’re incredibly proud of what they’ve achieved so far and are excited to see how they progress during their upcoming Assessment expeditions this month.

We are currently exploring the history of the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award at our school, and know it has a proud and longstanding legacy here.
As we look ahead to the 70th anniversary of the DofE next year, I’m hoping to bring together stories, memories, and milestones from those who have taken part over the years. Whether you were a student participant, a Sixth Form Leader, a parent volunteer, or a member of staff involved in the programme, your experiences would be incredibly valuable.
I’d love to hear how the award shaped your time at Tretherras—and maybe even your life beyond school. The goal is to create something meaningful to celebrate all those who’ve been part of the DofE journey at Tretherras.
If you’d be happy to share your story, please get in touch with Mr. Blum

Over the Easter holidays, 28 of our Sixth Form students travelled to the Lake District to complete their Gold Duke of Edinburgh’s Award qualifying expedition.

This marked the culmination of years of dedication and preparation, as students embarked on a four-day, self-sufficient journey through some of the UK’s most beautiful—and challenging—terrain. Working in teams, they demonstrated excellent navigation skills, camped high in the mountains, and impressed staff with their resilience, teamwork, and determination.

These are experiences they’ll remember for a lifetime—offering great stories for university applications, unforgettable memories to share, and valuable skills to carry into future adventures. It was a real privilege to watch them succeed on their own terms and complete such a demanding expedition.

A huge thank you to the staff who supported and made this opportunity possible.

Interested in doing your Gold DofE?
If you're joining us in Sixth Form next year, pop by Base Camp and speak to Mr. Blum to find out how you can get involved.

A huge congratulations to 28 of our Sixth Form students who have returned from the Lake District where they spent the last week completing their Gold DofE Assessment expedition.

The students did incredibly well and had a really successful expedition! A massive thanks to the staff who spent the week supporting the students.

We’ll share more photos when we return after Easter, but for now, here are our students at the top of Scafell Pike and Helvellyn.

Last week, a group of Year 7 students participated in an exciting Challenge Week with the Outdoor Learning team. The goal was to develop essential personal skills, with a strong focus on leadership, teamwork, confidence, and resilience. Students explored these qualities through climbing activities, starting at Base Camp and progressing to single-pitch crags, sea cliffs, and expansive moorland crags. They embraced the challenges with enthusiasm, demonstrating dedication and perseverance as they honed skills that are invaluable both in school and beyond.

Last weekend, our Sixth Form students headed to Dartmoor to embark on their final training before their Gold The Duke of Edinburgh's Award expedition to the Lake District in a couple of weeks. The students did well over the three days, finessing all the skills needed. We can’t wait to see you show off all these skills in the mountains!

During our latest Endeavour session last week, we ventured to Dartmoor to explore a larger moorland crag. The students excelled, taking the initiative to lead both themselves and the group up a challenging scramble. They demonstrated excellent teamwork, looking out for each other and guiding one another along the best routes. Afterward, we climbed several routes, with each student taking responsibility for their peers' safety—ensuring everyone was properly tied in and belaying one another. It was a fantastic day, and they all did an outstanding job!