Teaching life skills outside of the class

Established in 1930, the aim of YHA (England and Wales) remains the same today as it was then – to reach out and enhance the lives of young people. Today, that aim forms part of YHA’s vision to reach one million young people every year by 2017, and give them a world of opportunity of their own.
   
The primary vehicle of reaching these young people is through the popular YHA School Trips programme. It is through this that YHA is enabling young children, especially those from disadvantaged backgrounds, to participate in activities in rural and urban areas of England and Wales.
   
Although a charity itself, YHA also has a bursary fund known as Breaks for Kids, which funds 50 per cent of the cost of school trip places for young people in receipt of Free School Meals. Amongst its many advantages, the Breaks for Kids fund means that the financial pressure to attend the school trip is not placed on the youngster or the school.
   
Caroline White, Chief Executive of YHA (England and Wales), commented: “YHA has been creating learning outside the classroom since we started more than 80 years ago and, because of our Breaks for Kids bursary fund, financial circumstances don’t stop young people benefitting from these brilliant opportunities.”

TRIPS TO ENHANCE THE CURRICULUM
Having properties in such a variety of locations, means they are an ideal destination to carry out GSCE and A-level Geography, Biology, Ecology and Geology fieldwork. Additionally YHA can cater for shorter stays which will be important with the new curriculum programme changes that were recently announced.
   
Schools Minister David Laws has praised YHA’s commitment to making learning outside the classroom experiences accessible to all young people through its Breaks for Kids bursary fund. He said: “The new GCSE exam will promote fieldwork, encouraging youngsters to get outdoors and away from the school environment. I am pleased YHA is making sure these fabulous opportunities are available to all young people through its Breaks for Kids bursary fund.”
   
With more than 130 Youth Hostels throughout England and Wales, from 26-bed self‑catering hostels in Cornwall to 300+ bed hostels in central London, YHA literally has accommodation and a school experience to suit everyone.
   
In the majority of cases, schools will be booked on a sole occupancy basis which means they have the flexibility to change eating times or itineraries as their school will be the sole focus of the hostel staff. Where sole occupancy isn’t possible for smaller groups, YHA will ensure they are located with other school groups only to ensure safety and security.

CHANGING PERCEPTIONS
This is often the case at YHA’s dedicated outdoor activity centre in Edale, Derbyshire, which has recently undergone a £250,000 refurbishment. YHA Edale’s refurbishment is part of YHA’s capital investment plan, which has seen it invest more than £22million in its network since 2011 helping put further distance between the outdated public perception of Youth Hostels and the modern reality. Today Youth Hostels offer en suite rooms, contemporary-styled spaces which are as popular with students as they are with staff.
   
Two such hostels which will epitomise the modern YHA offering and are soon to be included in the YHA School Trips offering, include YHA Brighton and Eden Project. The arrangement with the Eden Project will make YHA the official onsite accommodation provider at the Cornwall-based visitor attraction.
   
The Eden Project educational team is just one of a number of market leaders in a range of educational areas YHA works with to deliver School Trips activities. Other providers include the Field Studies Council, which delivers activities in the Lake District to KS2/3 and GCSE and A’ Level groups, National Trust and National Park Authorities, as well as locally significant education providers such as the Jorvik Centre and Plas-y-Brenin and Mendip Outdoors. YHA also has links to all major GCSE and A-level exam boards.
   
Outdoor activities are also offered by YHA’s own team of qualified instructors which are designed to inspire KS2 pupils in the real outdoors. All activities are linked to the new National Curriculum and include History, Eco-Explorer, Geography, Performance Arts, PE Outdoors. Schools can even mix and match between the packages on offer.

TEACHING VALUABLE LIFE SKILLS
It’s not just about outdoor experiences; YHA delivers a diverse range of national curriculum activities that give young people the opportunity to learn real life skills. Participating in its new Let’s get Cooking Programme, in association with The Children’s Trust, is just one such area and the self‑catering kitchen facilities at many Youth Hostels lend themselves perfectly to this.
   
Ensuring that YHA’s School Trips meet the National Curriculum guidelines as well as the expectations of teachers is my responsibility, as a former teacher myself. My role is to develop new packages as well as enhance YHA’s current packages in line with the new curriculum. I also works with hostel managers and activity managers to ensure YHA is delivering high quality educational provision.
   
As well as having UK primary and secondary classroom experience, I have taught around the world as a classroom‑based teacher and field studies instructor.

Most importantly, prices for YHA’s education packages are affordable. They can be as little as £36 per person per night, and from as little as £27.99 for full-board, teacher-led school trips. YHA’s Breaks for Kids fund also means that no child need miss out on a school trip experience.

QUALITY VENUES
Regardless of the activity, teachers can be assured of an exemplary learning experience with YHA School Trips. More than 70 YHA properties have been nationally recognised by the Council for Learning Outside the Classroom (LOtC).
   
LOtC accreditation significantly reduces the red tape for the thousands of education providers that use YHAs and the learning experiences provided there each year. As well as reducing the paperwork associated with learning outside the classroom, the Badge also highlights the accredited hostels’ commitment to ensuring quality and safety and that their learning is curriculum linked.
   
The Quality Badge is endorsed by the Outdoor Education Advisors Panel and is the nationally recognised indicator of good quality and safe educational provision. The scheme is managed and developed by the Council for LOtC.
   
One of the LOtC approved sites is YHA Castleon, Losehill Hall in Derbyshire, which regularly hosts residential school trips. Last year Cathedral Academy in Wakefield, West Yorkshire, held a pilot summer school at the Youth Hostel, during which students undertook a number of outdoor activities delivered by YHA (England and Wales), including bushcraft, shelter building, archery and orienteering in the 27 acre grounds of the venue.
   
Kat Cafferky, Vice Principal of Cathedral Academy who organised the trip praised the YHA and its outdoor learning experiences. She commented: “The safe, open layout of both the accommodation and the grounds at YHA Castleton played an important part in the success of the summer school.

The summer school had a positive impact on all students. Their confidence grew by the day; they made many new friends and were glowing by the end of the week.”
   
As well as building the confidence of young people, a stay at YHA also providers teachers with the opportunities to build relationships with children in their class or school in a more informal out of the classroom setting. It also provides children the opportunity to bond with their peers in a safe environment.
   
Caroline White added: “Staying with YHA not only offers young people a great opportunity to learn new skills and make friends in a fun environment, but offers them the chance to take back their “wild time”, swap screen time and get outdoors. YHA is committed to helping young people face new challenges while being looked after in a safe, fun and challenging environment. Without fail young people grow in confidence while staying with us.”

FURTHER INFORMATION
www.yha.org.uk/school-trips