Adventure Quest(ions)!
What
will we be doing?
The
activities are aimed at improving teamwork, communication and
leadership skills via a challenging high ropes course and a series of
physical and mental ground based tasks.
Will
there be any other schools there at the same time?
It
depends on how many pupils you bring however there will be no mixing
of pupils from different schools within a team.
What
time will the course start and finish?
The
plan is for schools to arrive at approx 9.30am and the activities
will begin at 10am and finish at 4.00pm, schools will leave the site
at about 4.15pm. Half an hour is allocated for lunch in the middle of
the day.
What ratio of
Adventure Quest leaders will there be?
Our
safety ratios of instructors/pupils may depend of the type of
activity being completed but typically this is 1 instructor for
every 12/13 pupils. Ratios are carefully controlled by
Travel Class Ltd.
What ratio of
teachers is needed?
Teachers are
not directly involved in running the tasks so schools can use their
own guidelines as to how many staff to bring. However, teachers are
asked to be responsible for pastoral care and to manage any
discipline issues and therefore many schools bring one teacher for
every group.
What is the
maximum number of pupils on any one day?
144 is the maximum in any one day except Buxton which can accommodate up to 168
students. (Please be aware that groups over 96 students will get to perform 1
high rope activities due to time constraints.)
What
if it is raining?
Unless the weather
poses a safety issue (only in extreme cases), the activities will
continue to run. During extreme conditions there is
shelter available but groups should come prepared to be outside
for the whole day, whatever the weather with waterproofs, warm
clothing or even sun cream and hats!
What
do they need to bring with them?
A
packed lunch, waterproofs, warm clothing and a change of
clothes, including spare footwear and socks.
What
should the pupils wear?
Old
clothes & trainers that they don't mind getting wet and muddy
(not their best jeans!); waterproofs, if they have them. We will not
be able to provide waterproofs or boots for these courses. The
clothing aspect needs to be emphasised to pupils to ensure they don't
turn up in their good clothes.
I
have pupils who are scared of heights - will they be able to take
part?
We
encourage 'challenge by choice' which gives pupils ownership to set
their own challenges and their own limits, which promotes greater
fulfillment and teamwork. Although we encourage all pupils
to stretch themselves, we also appreciate that this level of stretch
varies for every pupil, so the emphasis is not on success or
failure of tasks but the personal development that pupils undergo by
attempting them. All abilities will have a chance to excel and
feel they have contributed to the team at some point in the
day.
I've booked, what happens
next?
Following
receipt of the booking form and the deposit we will send out
further course information. This will include: directions to the
site, information for accompanying teachers and an overview medical
form.
When do I pay?
A
confirmation deposit of £5+VAT per student is required to
confirm the booking. 8 weeks before the course date the school is
required to confirm final numbers. The final balance invoice will
then be sent out (adjusted to account for any changes in numbers).
Any number change that occurs within 6 weeks of the course date will
be subject to cancellation fees. All monies are payable before the
course start date.
Is there
somewhere for coaches to park and wait?
Yes
except Croydon; for this site coaches must park offsite.
Is
there a Risk Assessment for the site?
You
will be provided with a Risk Assessment. If you need to visit
the site prior to your course please let us know and we can arrange
this.
What qualifications will
the leaders working on the courses have?
All
instructors are trained and assessed to the highest standards for the
activities they are instructing, in line with best practice and are
signed off by the Travel Class Operations Manager.
What
insurance does Travel Class have?
We
have Public Liability Insurance up to £5 million but we don't have
insurance for personal possessions. We advise students not to bring
mobile phones or other valuables.