At Birkdale we believe educational excellence is not limited to the classroom and therefore aim to develop our students in a range of methods beyond the classroom. Grounded in research from the Institute for Outdoor Learning and the wide ranging experience of our staff team, Birkdale students are encouraged to develop themselves through these experiences, so that they can thrive across a range of settings.

Outdoor education at Birkdale allows us to apply our academic excellence beyond the classroom, delivering high level curriculum content through experiential learning. This is alongside the delivery of a range of outdoor pursuits activities that challenge our students and develop a more resilient skills set, to take on life’s challenges.

Residential experiences are pivotal in this development and we embed core residential trips, for all students, along their school journey’s. In addition these are supplemented by a wide range of optional residential trips that encompass a diverse range of outdoor interests. This includes a vast offering across all the Duke of Edinburgh Award levels. See separate page.

One of Birkdale’s most adventurous experiences is a three week trip to Nepal. A hugely significant journey for any student and on offer for the Lower 6th students, Please see the Nepal page.

Residential experiences

● Senior 1 – 1 night activity centre experience in the Peak District.
● Senior 3 – 1 night self-sufficient camping experience in the Peak District.
● Senior 3 – Optional Bronze Duke of Edinburgh Award in the Peak District.
● Senior 4 – 4 night adventurous activity experience in the Lake District.
● Senior 4 – Optional Silver Duke of Edinburgh Award in the N. York Moors
● Senior 5 – Optional Scottish mountain biking trip.
● Lower 6th – 3 week trip to Nepal and the mighty Himalayas.
● Lower 6th – 1 night team experience to Edale in the Peak District.
● Lower 6th – Optional Gold Duke of Edinburgh Award, practice expedition in
Snowdonia, qualifying expedition in the Lake District.
● Lower and Upper 6th – Optional 3 night advanced climbing course.

Experiential learning

The senior school has a range of activity based pursuits for students to elect into, aimed at enhancing the development of well rounded students.

● British Cycling mountain biking club after school for S1’s
● Caving experiences in S2
● Weekly climbing for S4 to U6, a classic Sheffield pursuit
● Orienteering in S3 Games
● Outdoor classroom activities, fire pits and more.
● Adventure Photography