All you need to know

Watersports

Between Easter and October half term we offer a range of water based activities for all ages from 8+. Instruction takes place in sheltered water with safety boats always in attendance. Equipment is tailored to suit the size, strength and ability of students. All wetsuits and other protective clothing is provided, except footwear and a towel. Although a minimum standard of swimming ability is strongly recommended, upon consultation we will not exclude weak swimmers provided they are water confident.

Sailing
We have a large selection of craft, ranging from a fleet of Oppies suitable for junior age children, to Picos which provide an exciting introduction for older students, sailing singly or in pairs. Larger high performance dinghies and catamarans are available for the experts!

Kayaking
Paddling their own kayak, students quickly gain skills and confidence in our sheltered creek before embarking on longer expeditions along the coast or the River Beaulieu.

Open Canoeing
Sharing a boat with friends or an instructor is an excellent way to learn the value of teamwork and organisation. This provides an ideal medium for those with special needs to experience the fun and exhilaration of being afloat

Windsurfing
Using our modern super stable light weight boards and rigs, everyone can quickly learn the basics of how to sail away from the beach and return without the long swims often associated with the early stages of learning this popular sport.

Raft Building
A classic team building activity using barrels and poles to construct a raft which will be tested (often to destruction!) in our canoe pool.

Snowsports
We boast three indoor floodlit dry slopes surfaced with snowflex. It’s easier to turn on, softer to fall on and has no holes to catch fingers and thumbs. Variable speed drag lifts ensure those early steps are easier.

Skiing
The emphasis is on energetic and fun sessions, where progression is at the pace of the individual’s capabilities.

Snowblading
Short twin tipped skis which are light weight and easy to learn on.

Ski Bobbing
For our younger (and young at heart) visitors. These are small steerable toboggans – just pure fun!

Snowboarding
For the older age group (12+), we provide an introduction to this exhilarating sport. We provide elbow and wrist guards to ensure maximum enjoyment – minimum pain! Maximum group size is eight students.

Landsports

Climbing and Abseiling
We possess the South’s premiere indoor climbing facility, 520m2, from short easy angled slabs, to a 13m overhang with abseiling platform. Groups work in three’s and have therefore plenty of opportunity to learn and practise the skills associated with this fast growing and accessible sport. Developing trust, support and communication are also important factors.

Track Cycling
A unique opportunity to have a go on the only indoor banked velodrome in the South of England. The cycle track provides a safe yet challenging introduction to this Olympic sport.

Archery
Requires good concentration, a sharp eye and a steady hand. Archery is approached in a disciplined but supportive atmosphere, and provides a change of pace from many of our more physically demanding activities.

Team Building/Problem Solving Activities

High Ropes
Our unique indoor facility provides groups with a year round opportunity to explore the concepts of support and trust whilst facing personal challenge.

Low Ropes
Our recently upgraded outdoor course features many exciting challenges which provide a basis for discussions on assessing risk, problem solving, recognising leadership and other qualities which are the hallmarks of successful teams.

Initiative Course
Elements such as ‘The Spider’s Web’, ‘The Tunnel’, ‘Washed Out Bridge’, and ‘Mushroom Field’ emphasize different team qualities and stimulate discussion when reviewing. Students are encouraged to think about how they are perceived within the team, and how they contribute to its success.

Nightline
Blindfolded team mates take turns to lead each other through various elements of an obstacle course, whilst following a rope trail. Leadership, cooperation, listening skills and team spirit all play a part in achieving success.

Activities in the New Forest

A week long course at Calshot is greatly enhanced by one or more trips out into the New Forest to experience its beauty at first hand.

Forest Orienteering
Map skills are developed progressively, using simple colour maps of fenced Inclosures. Responsibility for independent decision making is increasingly handed to students showing maturity and experience, as supervision becomes less obvious to them.

River Crossing
A fun, problem solving exercise, which entails building a rope bridge across a river, or alternatively, our own pool can be spanned.

Forest Mountain Biking
We use the beautiful off-road cycle routes of the New Forest, to introduce safe and responsible use of sensitive areas for adventure and recreation. Groups navigate themselves using handlebar mounted OS maps.

Field Studies
A team of highly qualified graduate tutors work full time in the Field Studies Department. We provide courses in Geography, Biology, Ecology, Environmental Science and History at Key Stage One, Two, Three, GCSE and AS/A2 level.
With access to the New Forest, The Solent, Calshot Castle (a Tudor fortification) and the coastline from Barton-on-Sea to Southampton, we are in the perfect position to offer a large variety of challenging learning environments and experiences. In addition, all courses are designed to promote aspects of citizenship, sustainability and teamwork.
The Field Studies Department is well resourced with excellent field study equipment and its own trawling and survey vessels.

Rivers and Streams

River Study Students follow a New Forest stream from source to mouth, investigating and measuring the changes along its course. Follow up work includes averages, graphs, ICT and poster design.

Stream Mapping

Using co-ordinates and mathematical skills, students map geographical landforms along a stream and reproduce them to scale back in the classroom.

Pond Dipping

Freshwater animals are collected and identified to help students create their own food chain and food web mobiles.

History in the Making

Tudors

Students explore and investigate our on-site Tudor Castle and create a besom broom using Tudor technology.

The Solent

With such a diverse eco-system on our doorstep, students love the opportunity to investigate the marine life in and around the Calshot coastline. Back in the classroom they get a close up view of life underwater in our Marine Aquarium.

Trawling

Using our 9.5m trawler, students catch a variety of marine life which they then identify and draw back in the classroom. Plankton is examined using a microscope and video camera. (This topic is weather dependent).

Seine Netting

Using traditional fishing techniques from the shore, students catch and identify animals before creating their own marine life fact-files. (This topic is weather and tide dependent).

Beach Study

Stepping out of the classroom, students examine our beaches to investigate adaptations of coastal marine life. Back indoors, Beach Life posters are made by identifying and drawing the animals and plants collected.

Coastal Study
Taking the role of a newspaper reporter, students follow the progress of pebbles from cliff to spit, investigating coastal processes and management at Calshot Spit. Using ICT skills they then publish their headline stories in our ICT suite.

The New Forest

Forest Experience

Using all their senses, students gain a hands-on (and eyes, ears, mouth and nose!) feel for the forest and use their experiences to create poetry.

Orienteering

Students navigate their way around a New Forest inclosure collecting markers and points along the way. Compass work, navigation and teamwork come together for a fun, yet challenging, activity.

Soil Study

A heathland slope and its soil are investigated. Using the results, students carry out a decision making exercise to determine the best site for trees to grow.

Tall Trees

Students use a variety of mathematical and sensory techniques to build up a fact file on a range of tree species in the New Forest.