King’s Ely pupils put their navigation skills to the test in Derbyshire and Dartmoor

Intrepid King’s Ely Senior students visited Dartmoor and Derbyshire to practise their hill walking and navigation skills.

Two hill walking and navigation expeditions were held during the Easter break: a Level 1 trip to Derbyshire and a Level 2 trip to Dartmoor.

The Level 2 trip, which took place at the beginning of the holidays, saw students braving the worst of the wet British weather as they trained for five days on the rugged and barren moorland terrain.

Director of Outdoor Education at King’s Ely Senior Sophie Cheng said: ‘Dartmoor did its best to swamp down the teams, but eventually the sun shone. After five days of training, the teams embarked on a three-day journey across the wild landscape carrying everything needed to look after themselves and their teammates for the duration. A huge well done to all those who took part and have passed our intermediate level of hill walking and navigation. I look forward to working with such a fantastic and resilient group on Level 3 next year.’

The Level 1 trip to Derbyshire, which took part at the end of the Easter break, was the beginning of King’s Ely’s in-house navigation and expedition courses, which lay the fundamentals of becoming a good navigator and all the aspects of journeying safely and considerately through the British countryside.

Sophie Cheng said: ‘The students began their training with their team leaders in low visibility as the mist persisted around our region of Derbyshire into the second day of training. After three days of training, the teams embarked on their two-day expedition across the White Peak area of Derbyshire. Each team performed well and, despite some minor set-backs, pulled through to finish up at Riber Castle in Matlock. Well done to all students who took part. My thanks to Richard Lovelock, Brett Ffitch, Matt Bridgman and Matilda Scott, as well as our two Pupil Instructors Imogen Kirkpatrick and Aaron Pugh, for all their hard work throughout the trip.’

From the high peaks of the Himalayas to the gushing torrents of the rivers in the Alps, the Ely Scheme offers boundless opportunities for pupils to explore and learn through outdoor education. Outdoor education at King’s Ely offers pupils the chance to learn self-reliance, teamwork, creative thinking and a determined attitude to all tasks in life. Our unique programme is facilitated by specially selected and trained pupil instructors who deliver our activities and learn to become exceptional leaders.

To find out more about the Ely Scheme and other opportunities at King’s Ely, please visit www.kingsely.org.