Outdoor Adventure Academy

Northumberland College is able to combinehightly qualified and motivated staff, workfocused qualifications, live outdoor activitycentre with opportunities to earn as youlearn, a 200 acre Estate (including high, lowropes and zip wire, Archery, WoodlandActivity Trail, and Woodcraft) and a watersports base to create an amazing centre ofexcellence for anyone wishing to work in theoutdoor activity sector.

You will have an interest in the outdoors andactivities such as walking, trekking, climbingor kayaking.

Our courses will further develop your teamwork and leadership skills and you’ll acquireadditional skills within health and safety andrisk assessment. You will also develop skillsto help you manage different types of partiesincluding those with additional support needs.

Northumberland has some of the mostbeautiful and challenging countryside inEngland for outdoor adventurous activities,so you’ll have everything you need to developyour skills right on your doorstep.

You’ll get to go on residential trips all overthe UK and further afield to develop yourclimbing, hiking and navigation skills.

Recently a group of students led byexpedition leader and course tutor CarlHalliday climbed to the summit of MountToubkal in the High Atlas mountain range.From 4,167m the group enjoyed the view ofthe mountain range stretching south towardsthe Sahara desert.

A career as an activity leader and instructor can be an extremelyrewarding one, combining a healthy, active and adventurous lifestylewith the rewards from working with and having a positive impact onpeople of all ages and backgrounds.

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Develop your leadershipskills with our highropes facility

Kirkley Hall Campus | Course Guide 2015-16

Visit www.kirkleyhallactivitycentre.co.uk to find out more

Apply now at www.northumberland.ac.uk/kirkleyApply now at www.northumberland.ac.uk/kirkley

Who is this course for?This course is for school leavers who wouldlike a taste of working in the outdooradventure industry. The NCFE Award inPersonal Development for the OutdoorIndustry will develop your practical outdooradventure skills and a wide range ofpersonal, transferable skills such asteamwork, communication skills, self-assessment, planning and development and environmental awareness.

You would normally spend three days incollege studying the Level 1 Diploma in Land-Based Industries alongside the Level 1Award in Personal Development for theOutdoor Industry. The remainder of your time will be available for work experience.

Entry requirements: You should ideally have studied at GCSE Levelor at Entry Level 3 to ensure you have thebest chance of successfully completing theprogramme. However, if you don’t have thequalifications, apply and your suitability willbe assessed at interview.

What will I study on this course?You will study a range of units including:

• Outdoor industry awareness

• Developing a personal effectiveness profileand action plan

• Delivering an outdoor activity session

• Job and training search skills

Assessment methods:The programme is continually assessed viapractical activities and written work, whichare recorded in a student maintained portfolio.

Next steps:After successfully completing the programme,you will be able to progress onto a Level 2Diploma programme, an Apprenticeship orfind employment.

Duration: One year Course code: SPT0006P

Who is this course for?This one year full-time programme is forthose who would like to develop the skills to become an outdoor activity instructor.

Entry requirements: You should ideally have a Level 1 Certificatein a related subject, related work experienceor a Level 1 or 2 qualification in BCU Stage 1Canoe / Kayak. Mature students will beconsidered on their experience, regardless of qualifications.

What will I study on this course?You will study three courses during the Level2 Outdoor Activity Leadership programme:NCFE Level 2 Certificate in Outdoor Activity Leadership

• Organising an activity session at an outdoor centre

• Responding to health emergencies foroutdoor centre staff

• Supporting the promotion of an outdooractivity

• Awareness of safeguarding children andyoung people in outdoor activities

• Exploring and understanding naturalenvironments via field study activities

Level 2 Extended Certificate in Skills andActivities for Sport and Active Leisure

• Leading outdoor adventure activities

• Expedition experience

• Outdoor adventurous experience

Level 3 Certificate in Basic ExpeditionLeadership

• Plan and lead a group walk in lowlandcountryside

• Establish and maintain safe practice during walks or expeditions

• Navigation for the walk leader

• Develop personal walking leadershipexperience

• Manage unaccompanied groups in thecountryside

• Camp craft for the expedition leader

Assessment methods:This is a practical work related course whereyou study in realistic workplace situations,completing projects and assignmentsthroughout the year.

Next steps:After successfully completing the programmeyou will be able to progress to Level 3 ActivityLeadership courses or pursue careers in theoutdoor and adventure education sector.

Outdoor Activity Leadership (Level 2)Duration: One year

• NCFE Level 2 Certificate in Outdoor Activity Leadership (Code: SPT0081P)

• Level 2 Extended Certificate in Skills and Activities for Sport and Active Leisure (LBI0311P)

• Level 3 Certificate in Basic Expedition Leadership (LBI0067P)

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This Way

Outdoor Activity Leadership (Level 1)

Apply now at www.northumberland.ac.uk/kirkleyApply now at www.northumberland.ac.uk/kirkley

Who is this course for?The Apprenticeship in Activity Leadership isdesigned for individuals who wish to gain abroad, but solid foundation to allow you tofollow a career in the outdoor sector. You will work with straight-forward groups in less hazardous activities, often in controlledenvironments.

Entry requirements: You should have two GCSEs at grade D orabove, including English and maths, or arelevant Level 1 qualification and beemployed in outdoor recreation / adventuretourism, outdoor education, outdoordevelopment training expeditions or outdoorsport development.

What will I study on this course?Level 2 NVQ Certificate in Activity Leadership

• Organising an activity session at an outdoor centre

• Responding to health emergencies foroutdoor centre staff

• Supporting the promotion of an outdooractivity

• Awareness of safeguarding children andyoung people in outdoor activities

• Exploring and understanding naturalenvironments via field study activities

Level 2 Award in Skills and Activities forSport and Active Leisure

• Outdoor adventurous experience

Level 2 Award in Assisting Basic ExpeditionLeadership

• Developing outdoor leadership skills

• Plan, lead and evaluate a series ofexpedition sessions

• Lead activities that promote environmentalresponsibility

• Developing personal journeying skills

• Developing personal camp craft skills

Assessment methods:This is a practical work related course whereyou study in realistic workplace situations,completing projects and assignmentsthroughout the year.

Next steps:After successfully completing theprogramme you will be able to progress toLevel 3 Advanced Apprenticeship in OutdoorProgrammes or pursue a career in theoutdoor and adventure education sector.

Activity Leadership (Level 2 Apprenticeship) Duration: 12 to 18 months Course Code: OAL0009PP

Who is this course for?This qualification is ideal for students withsome experience in the outdoor industry whohave a high level of commitment to a careerin the outdoor industry and evidence ofprolonged participation in one or moreoutdoor activities.

Entry requirements: You should ideally have a Level 2 Diploma in a related subject, related work experience or a Level 1 or 2 qualification in BCU Stage 1Canoe / Kayak. Mature students will beconsidered on their experience, regardless of qualification.

What will I study on this course?You will study two courses during the Level 3Outdoor Activity Leadership:

NCFE Level 3 Diploma for Outdoor Learning

• The physical environment

• Functions and features of outdoor clothingand safety equipment

• Plan for offsite multi-day visits

• Preparing for and delivering experientiallybased outdoor learning

Level 3 Diploma in Skills and Activities forSport and Active Leisure (Outdoor Education)

• Outdoor and adventurous activities

• Principles and practices in outdooradventure

• Skills for land-based and water-basedoutdoor and adventurous activities

• Outdoor and adventurous expeditions

• Alternative pursuits for outdoor adventure

Assessment methods:This is a practical work related course whereyou study in realistic workplace situations,completing projects and assignmentsthroughout the year.

Next steps:Upon successful completion of this courseyou may progress to one of our newNewcastle University Foundation Degrees,higher education at a different university ortake up a career in the adventure educationindustry.

Outdoor Activity Leadership (Level 3)Duration: One year

• NCFE Level 3 Diploma for Outdoor Learning (Code: SPT0083P)

• Level 3 Diploma in Skills and Activities for Sport and Active Leisure (Outdoor Education) (LBI0312P)

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Apply now at www.northumberland.ac.uk/kirkleyApply now at www.northumberland.ac.uk/kirkley

Who is this course for?The Advanced Apprenticeship in ActivityLeadership is designed for individuals whowish to gain a broad, but solid foundation to allow you to follow a career in the outdoor sector.

Entry requirements: You should have four GCSEs at grade C or above, including English and maths, or a relevant Level 2 qualification and beemployed in outdoor recreation / adventuretourism, outdoor education, outdoordevelopment training expeditions or outdoor sport development.

What will I study on this course?Level 3 NVQ Diploma in OutdoorProgrammes

• The physical environment

• Functions and features of outdoor clothingand safety equipment

• Plan for offsite multi-day visits

• Preparing for and delivering experientiallybased outdoor learning

Level 3 Certificate in Basic ExpeditionLeadership

• Plan and lead a group walk in lowlandcountryside

• Establish and maintain safe practice during walks or expeditions

• Navigation for the walk leader

• Develop personal walking leadershipexperience

• Manage unaccompanied groups in the countryside

• Camp craft for the expedition leader

Level 3 Award in Skills and Activities for Sportand Active Leisure (Outdoor Education)

• Outdoor and adventurous activities

Assessment methods:This is a practical work related course whereyou study in realistic workplace situations,completing projects and assignmentsthroughout the year.

Next steps:After successfully completing theprogramme you will be able to pursue acareer in the outdoor and adventureeducation sector or progress to a highereducation course.

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Kirkley Hall Campus | Course Guide 2013-14

Duration: 12 to 18 months Course code: SPT0087P

Kirkley Hall Campus | Course Guide 2015-16

Case study: Michael ErringtonOutdoor Programmes Apprenticeship (Level 3)

“My main hobby was, and still is, kayaking and I regularly competenationally in canoe slalom, which involves travelling around thecountry and competing in a range of events. I currently hold agood ranking and hope to progress even further in the currentseason, with an eye on competing for the British team.”

Outdoor Programmes (Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship)

“My Apprenticeship at the Kirkley Hall Activity Centre has been a great opportunityand I am earning at the same time that I am learning on the job. The experience I get from this, and from working alongside experienced college staff, is ideal for me in my chosen career.”