School Programmes
Transition Programme
SOEC takes great care to ensure it addresses SHANARRI on its residential outdoor learning programmes. The ways we do this include, but are not limited to the following:
Safe – Regular inspections by the Adventure Activities Licensing Authority to ensure compliance with industry recognised best practices.
Healthy – Hearty “home cooked” catering options avoiding processed food. Fruit and vegetable options available at every meal.
Achieving – A “Challenge by Choice” approach allows young people to set their own goals and work towards them in a supportive environment.
Nurtured – Experienced and professional staff work with small groups to cultivate an environment of support where every individual is valued.
Active – A wide variety of engaging outdoor activities are on offer to encourage healthy growth and development.
Respected – Full Value Contracts are used to enable groups to establish their own set of expected behaviours.
Responsible -With appropriate instruction and under supervision young people are encouraged to take on roles of responsibility such as managing the safety systems in climbing activities.
Included – Tutors trained and experienced in working with young people with diverse needs.
SOEC’s Transition to Secondary programme creates an opportunity for upper primaries to spend time together in shared activities and make new friends before moving to secondary school. A time too for teachers from primaries and the secondary to get together.
Similar programmes include Transition to Work for schools and for young people with additional needs – see the LAS Case Study in Programmes for Groups.
Programme Details
Transition to S1 at a glance
The transition programme is specifically designed for Primary 7 cluster groups and aims to equip children to manage in a new school environment. SOEC’s Transition programme is generally a 4 night residential course but can be shortened to fit school needs. The programme is built around 3 hour sessions and we aim to ensure that each group has the same tutor throughout their stay.
Learning outcomes
Self-awareness
Increased independence and self-reliance
Openness to new thinking and ideas
Ability to relate to others and form positive relationships
Transition to work
SOEC is responding to the challenge of preparing young people to develop the qualities, skills and knowledge they’ll need for the world of work. We have produced a modular programme that suits different groups of school leavers. The SOEC Transition to Work programme can change a young person’s self-perception and develop a positive, ‘can-do’ mind-set that will improve their chances of success getting into and remaining in the workplace.
you are on the right tracks I’m sure. I believe SOEC provides many solutions… nobody could disagree that the economy needs young people to experience what you do there if they are to guide us out of the mess we are leaving them behind.
Eco Programme
A range of activities to enable pupils and young people develop meaningful connections with Scotland’s outdoors.
We provide combinations of activities which may be adventurous, educational, leisure based or environmental. Activities may include habitat enhancement for bees, butterflies, amphibians, tree planting, woodland or river exploration etc. See the news clip of pupils from Aberdeen tree planting at Broomlee OEC.
Learning Outcomes
Greater environmental awareness. An understanding of concepts such as food chains, habitats and bio-diversity. An increased appreciation and understanding of each person’s place in the environment. Increased confidence to make decisions that affect the natural world.
Programme Details
The programme focuses on increasing environmental awareness and understanding our place in the environment through a series of activities such as “Living out of Doors” or “River Detectives”.. The environmental programme is designed for upper primary school age children An advanced version explores more complex environmental concepts and is designed for slightly older pupils, or those who have previously experienced the original environmental programme. The programme is 4 nights in duration
Adventure and Exploration Residentials
These programmes include a wide range of on-site activities for children and young people of different ages and abilities. Our youngest overnighters to date are P2s.
We may go off-site for canoeing, climbing etc. and more off-site trips can be added if required. On these programmes, groups may participate in expeditions or stay under canvas. For older students, there are opportunities to explore the Site of Special Scientific Interest on Ben Lawers before paddling Loch Tay to visit the Crannog Centre. Pupils can also progress to SOEC’s skills courses for mountain and water sports.
Learning Outcomes
Programmes are specifically developed to deliver the learning outcomes requested by the group but can include: Environmental awareness and eco-literacy Team-building and leadership Self-reliance and the ability to self-review Risk management and judgment skills Curriculum for Excellence capacities i.e. successful learners, confident individuals, responsible citizens and effective contributors
Programme Flexibility
Programmes can be entirely flexible, varying in duration, location, group size and objectives. Many tutor staff have a background in education and teaching and so can readily devise programmes directly relevant to the curriculum if required. Bespoke programmes may include off-site activities such as kayaking and climbing and on-site activities.
Exam Revision
SOEC has long welcomed groups who use our Centres as the ideal base for study and music residentials.
Teacher-led revision (using SOECs C-touch screens if required), may be interspersed with a selection of activities for the pupils to energise and have fun.
The peaceful and rural surroundings of our centres can be used for practical field study revision or simply to provide a background for focused work.
Programme Details
Some teachers bring pupils for a confidence booster to enhance exam success, simultaneously seeking achievement and attainment. Centre grounds and the outdoors support the humanities but residentials provide opportunities for science, maths and physics. Exploration walks trigger new ideas for literacy, and orienteering and navigation activities support numeracy.
Our Spaces
All Centres have a number of classrooms/break out rooms that provide flexible spaces suited to sectional music rehearsal, review, study, or seminar programmes. Peaceful surrounding and isolated location mean that outdoor performances can be enjoyed in the summer months. Rural surroundings provide excellent opportunities for field practicals and environmental science study.
Music & Study At A Glance
Centres are available 12 months a year for bookings from Music and Study Groups. SOEC has the flexibility and experience to accommodate a broad range of speciality groups, including school music residentials and language schools. SOEC offer activity sessions for study and music groups who are interested in a mixed programme. Large and small groups can be accommodated easily with advance booking.
SOEC are happy to provide School Talks to parents and pupils prior to your visit. This can coincide with an opportunity for a pre-meeting with teachers to outline the specific learning and development outcomes you are looking for.
We can also provide Certificates of Attendance for pupils and students. All SOEC Tutors engage in reviewing during activities and this can be brought together in personalised Certificates which enable pupils to record their outcomes in terms of e.g. the 4 Capacities.
Don’t forget, our return on investment has been determined to be 1: 11 so you can be sure your pupils and student will benefit from an immersive outdoor learning residential with SOEC.
For Groups
As well as schools SOEC host a range of youth and community groups, further education groups, special interest or sports and overseas groups.
GroupsBespoke Programmes
SOEC organises holiday activity clubs and skills weeks for individual children & young people during the school holidays and can also deliver the expedition section of The DofE programme.
Bespoke