It is with regret that we have to inform parents and students in our new Year 7 (C28) next year that the Outward Bound experience to Aberdovey in Wales has been postponed. I know this will be disappointing but the decision has been taken out of our hands. We have been in ongoing discussions with the Outward Bound Trust and have explored numerous options but as the Outward Bound Centres are not at full capacity, due to COVID restrictions, and staffing the centres is difficult in the current climate this means they can only offer us very limited access at the start of next term.
Visiting Outward Bound and exploring the idea of crew is very important to establishing a positive culture at our schools. As such we are determined to ensure that at some point in the next school year, probably in the spring/summer term, we will be able to reschedule this most important experience.
On a positive note, even though we are not visiting an Outward Bound Centre at the start of the year, staff have already been working hard on an alternative experience for students in the first week back which will involve challenges and opportunities for students to build strong bonds and positive relationships in their crew and their year group. Further details regarding the first week back will follow before the end of term.
Finally, whilst the new school year won’t start as we would have hoped and expected, we are still looking forward to seeing you at the start of next term as you make the first steps in your exciting journey at XP and XP East.
With my very best wishes
Andy Sprakes