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Outdoor Learning residential for schools at Glencoe Outdoor Centre
WHY? Grow in confidence, increase resilience, encourage social interaction with peers, promote health and wellbeing, allow individuals to gain independence and challenge their own expectations of themselves! Pupils gain skills for the future, are inspired to take future opportunities to get outdoors, have increased water confidence and may well learn to ride a bike while they are in Glencoe!
WHAT? by taking part in very fun, active and genuinely adventurous outdoor activities in a residential setting.
WHERE? in the spectacular location, the extraordinary landscape amongst the lochs and Glens that is Glencoe.
HOW? Instructors go out of their way to make everyone feel comfortable, are very approachable, knowledgeable, friendly and helpful in a safe, encouraging and supportive atmosphere. Instructors are able to adapt activities to particular needs and no one is ever left out.
WHO? We partner with pupils and teaching staff toward the goal of attainment within Curriculum for Excellence by encouraging team work, leadership skills, innovation, personal development and environmental awareness.
Glencoe Outdoor Learning programmes embrace an approach to learning that:
'Involves being outdoors as a central part of the experience; is open to all; seeks to transform the experience into knowledge, skills, attitudes and behaviours; involves physical activity, respects the natural environment and has a challenging and adventurous component'.
'At first I thought I wouldn’t be good at anything, I thought of giving up and the members of staff really built up my confidence, I thought I wasn’t brave or strong enough but I did it but that was because everybody was believing in me and Glencoe has really helped me to build up all of the things that I didn’t think I was capable to do. Glencoe will always hold a place in my heart'
Renfrewshire Pupil
'A fabulous experience whereby every child was given opportunity to explore and develop skills both physically and socially. Exceeded my expectations. Thank you' 'The centre is amazing and our children had a wonderful experience once again'. 'Another wonderful week! The instructors were kind patient and so encouraging'. Always felt our kids were in safe hands' 'Excellent activities, organisation and instruction All instructors were simply fantastic. Thank you for giving our children a wonderful experience'. 'Once again we have enjoyed a fabulous stay at GOC. Thank you to all of the staff for their patience encouragement and fun'. 'Our pupils loved every minute and you really supported the staff'. 'Staff were excellent, supportive and friendly. Accommodation worked very well. Teachers looked after very well. Great experience for all the children. Thank you.'
Glasgow Primary teachers 2025
'It was very fun and I had a blast. Thanks for having me. I loved the food. I liked how kind the staff was. I loved the climbing and biking'. 'I love this place it’s fun. I like your staff and the food is 10/10'. 'I love living here. It was very nice. I would live here for ages, also I loved all the staff because they are so nice and helpful. 100/10. Well done!' 'Everything was excellent. I will see you in 6 years for my job here.' 'Beautiful scenery/nature. Fun and enjoyable.' 'It was amazing. The staff are kind and good dinners'. 'I enjoyed the stay. The food was good and the beds were comfy.' 'I really liked staying here and getting away from my phone and I loved the fire at the end of the week.'
'Thank you all especially for teaching me to ride a bike'. 'I really enjoyed my stay a lot! Thank you to the staff. You are a great team.'
'I really enjoyed my time here and staff are wonderful'. 'Well done!' 'You should keep this up forever and ever!'
'I like it because you get to do things you never did and I would go again' 'Our stay was great! Thank you for giving us some memories that will stay with us' 'The staff were very helpful and kind' 'The food was good best thing ever' 'I loved being here because the workers are kind and I love the activities' 'It was great. Loved the curry and the pasta' 'I want to come here again' 'A place you could do fun stuff' 'Was fun. Want to come back here'. 'Perfect' 'All the staff was so nice It was really fun and enjoyable' 'I would 100% come back if I could'
Glasgow Primary pupils 2025
'All the leaders and members of staff were welcoming helpful and made the children and staff feel supported and ensured we had an excellent week. Thank you for being such a fantastic team!' 'Fantastic trip yet again. Staff are excellent. Safety, communication, organisation & the children bonded with them all'. 'Had a fantastic first trip to Glencoe. Staff went above and beyond all week to ensure everyone's needs were met'. 'Thank you for another excellent week. As always the activities, food, welcome and overall experience was fantastic for both staff and children. We look forward to returning again next year!' 'Another fantastic week at GOC. The children take so much from this week and thrive. Best residential trip! ' 'A fantastic week - thank you to all involved for your hospitality and expertise.' 'Thank you as always for a wonderful week with added sunshine! The pupils had a great time.'
Highland Primary Teachers 2025
'A holiday to remember' 'The staff are really helpful and welcoming. I had lots of fun' 'This was the best school trip ever' 'Thank you for helping me how to ride a bike' 'Your house is lovely and your food is amazing and thanks for the amazing stay' 'Perfect on almost everything although I did not really enjoy the bedtime stories as I am not a Christian' ' I like how the house still stands after like 100 years' 'Thank you for having me and my class' 'It felt cosy in the rooms and I loved it so much' 'Thank you so much for letting our school stay here. I think this is the best place ever' 'I had one of the funness weeks here. I wish I could have stayed longer.' 'I had an amazing week. I have learnt things that I wouldn’t think I would learn' 'If you want to experience cool activities go here. Nice lounge. Very fun activities at the end of the day. This trip will stay in my head for a long time'. 'The staff were really friendly and welcoming' 'This was one of the best weeks of my life; thank you so much!' 'The staff were 10/10' 'I liked your food' 'Thank for for looking after us. I had an amazing stay. The instructors are funny and kind but kept us safe'. 'It was a really fun 5 days and I am so glad we got to spend my residential trip here. Thank you.
Highland Primary Pupils 2025
Great trip. Staff amazing and relationships built early on. All of the kids participated to the full even when they found it super challenging. Thanks for all you do. We were blessed all week. Another excellent stay. Instructors and staff did a great job. 5 stars. Challenged the pupils appropriately. Instructors were excellent with the pupils.
Prep School Teachers 2025
Thank you for a good week and the activities Best residential I have ever had My favourite residential yet. I had an amazing time All the activities are super fun Best residential I have ever done Instructors were very nice I've had lots of new experiences and challenges and they were all very fun The instructors were all very nice Outstanding experience.
Prep School Pupils 2025
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Return from Glencoe classroom display
Highland Primary School
School testimonials
'I thought you might like to know that I have just done 2 nights of parents evenings with the Primary 7 children, and last week issued their reports, which contain a ‘learners statement’ about their year, and without exception every child (who went) and every parent, said that the highlight of the year was the visit to Glencoe. They had the warmest praise and the fondest memories of their time at Glencoe Outdoor Centre'. Teacher Highland Primary school
'Very many thanks for your kind welcome and hospitality during our stay with you this week. As always, it was a special few days and privilege to be with you in that extraordinary landscape.' Teacher North Yorkshire Prep school
'Thank you very much for looking after us so well. Had a fantastic time as always. Really had a huge impact on the children. Thanks for everything and your teams commitment. Very enjoyable time as usual, thank you.' Teachers Highland Primary School
Pupil comments taken from the school display pictured above
Glencoe was absolutely amazing!! I would go back in a heartbeat! You get to know each other better!
It was good for team building and I would recommend Glencoe.
I loved Glencoe it was so fun and gave me an experience to live with each other.
I was absolutely gobsmacked when I first got there it was beautiful!!
My favourite activity was canoeing! I was very nervous at first but then after a while it was very fun and enjoyable.
I would recommend it to everyone and anyone!!
It was amazing and you learned how to cooperate. I would recommend it!
It’s really amazing! The best part is getting to know people!! A great mix of education and fun!
The canoeing was amazing and the food too! I would recommend it to everyone on earth!!
Highland Primary school
Curriculum for Excellence
We partner with schools toward the goal of attainment within Curriculum for Excellence. Our programmes are characterised by its design principles and the capacities are incorporated into each activity and the overall residential experience - in particular:
Health and wellbeing: mental & emotional wellbeing, social wellbeing and physical wellbeing;
Literacy & English: listening and talking;
Religious and moral education: Christianity - Beliefs, values and issues, practices and traditions.
"For many staff and pupils an outdoor residential experience is one of the highlights of the school year. Many practitioners find organising an outdoor residential experience thoroughly worthwhile because of the long-lasting impact on young people. The combination of special activities with the shared experience of living and working with peers makes a residential stay a unique outdoor learning opportunity for every young person."
Outdoor learning Practical guidance, ideas and support for teachers and practitioners in Scotland, Education Scotland
“The core values of Curriculum for Excellence echo the key concepts of outdoor learning: challenge, enjoyment, relevance, depth, development of the whole person and an adventurous approach to learning”. Learning and Teaching Scotland 2010
“Outdoor learning experiences are often remembered for a lifetime. Integrating learning and outdoor experiences, whether through play in the immediate grounds or adventures further afield, provides relevance and depth to the curriculum in ways that are difficult to achieve indoors. Learning outdoors can be enjoyable, creative, challenging and adventurous and helps children and young people learn by experience and grow as confident and responsible citizens who value and appreciate the spectacular landscapes, natural heritage and culture of Scotland”. Learning and Teaching Scotland 2010
Brilliant Residentials
Glencoe Outdoor Centre endorses the 'Brilliant Residentials' key recommendations and welcomes their findings & evidence as to the benefit of school residentials. Please contact us if you would like assistance with planning or designing your school residential.
Curriculum for excellence within Glencoe Outdoor Learning programmes
Residential experience
Curriculum for excellence capacities embedded in Glencoe Outdoor Centre residential experiences
Confident individuals
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Relate to others and manage themselves
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Live as independently as they can
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A sense of physical, mental and emotional well-being
Effective contributors
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Work in partnership and in teams
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Take the initiative and lead
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Live as independently as they can
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Achieve success in different areas of activity
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Assess risk and make informed decisions
Successful learners -
Learn independently and as part of a group
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Link and apply different kinds of learning in new situations
Responsible Citizens -
Respect for others
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Understand different beliefs and cultures
School groups who stay at Glencoe Outdoor Centre are encouraged to treat the centre as their home for the duration of their stay and to participate in the smooth running of the domestic arrangements.
Specific tasks given:
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Take responsibility for their time keeping - present themselves at the appropriate time and place;
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Take responsibility for how they are equipped - wearing & carrying the appropriate equipment;
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Take responsibility for all equipment loaned to them - take good care of all equipment loaned to them by the centre and to store it in the appropriate places;
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Take responsibility for sleeping well - keep sleeping dormitory clean and tidy and made available for inspection by teaching staff on a daily basis.
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Take responsibility for eating well - make up their own packed lunch each day and clear up after themselves at lunch time.
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Participate in service of meals - assist Centre staff to lay meal tables and clear their own meal table at the end of each course.
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Respect others whilst sharing dorms and eating together
Evaluation by Glencoe Outdoor Centre staff team: -
Group Instructors (GI’s) give feedback on a task basis on performance. Pupils are encouraged to complete any tasks not already completed at evaluation stage.
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Evening Host team review the participation in domestic chores on a daily basis.
Evaluation by pupils and school staff: -
Accompanying teaching staff give immediate feedback after room inspection and pupils are required to make improvements, if necessary, straight away.
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School staff can discuss the effectiveness of the programme with Centre staff at any stage.
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Pupils and staff are asked for written review comments at the end of the week.
Activity experience
Curriculum for excellence capacities embedded in Glencoe Outdoor Centre outdoor learning
Successful learners
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Enthusiasm & motivation for learning.
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Learn independently & part of a group.
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Openness to new thinking and ideas.
Confident individuals
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assess risk and take informed decisions.
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Pursue a healthy & active lifestyle
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Achieve success in different areas of activity
Responsible citizens
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Respect for others
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Make informed choices & decisions
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Evaluate environmental issues
Effective contributors
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Work in partnership and in teams
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Take the initiative and lead
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Solve problems
All Instructors give thought to, and include where ever practical, the following Curriculum for excellence objectives in each activity session which they run:
Start of day:
1. Pupils are involved in discussion about daily weather conditions and the subsequent clothing requirements.
On each activity, pupils are involved in discussion and input into:
2. The aims of the activity session;
3. The associated risks,
4. The environmental impact of the activity
5. At the end the activity to take part in a review to ensure that all achievements are celebrated.
During each activity session pupils are given the opportunity to:
6. Give informed consent on what they are doing;
7. Make choices within the activity;
8. Receive encouragement to cope with and meet new challenges;
9. Spend time in the open air and participate in some physical exercise;
10. Be given responsibility for equipment loaned to them;
In particular:
11. The ‘How Do We Do That?’ activity encourages pupils to lead their team, review their performance and to solve problems.
12. Learning and discussion about marine environmental issues/impact is included in the Environmental Studies, Sailing and Canoeing activities.