Outdoor Education

Our Outdoor Education programme consists of two areas: ALPS (Adventure Learning Programme), and Ecology:

ALPS (Adventure Learning Programme)

The primary aim of the ALPS programme is to enhance our approach to learning and to give our students the opportunity to develop their personal life skills, build confidence and resilience. This is achieved through participation in a range of outdoor adventure activities including Paddle Sports, Climbing, Bushcraft, Archery and Orienteering.

DofE

The Duke of Edinburgh's Award (DofE) is a highly respected programme that helps students develop independence, resilience, leadership, and teamwork through a range of challenging and rewarding experiences. Our school offers all three levels of the award, Bronze (Years 9–10), Silver (Year 10), and Gold (Years 11–13), providing a progressive pathway throughout Senior School and Sixth Form.

Ecology

Our Ecology programme is part of the school’s commitment to be an exemplar of education for sustainable development from Early Years to Sixth Form.

Our Nature Reserve on Latham Close offers students an array of unique opportunities to develop their knowledge and skills, from restoring a water meadow, to creating new habitats, managing a reed bed system and maintaining a small pond.

We integrate formal and non-formal ecology education, and students at different age groups have the opportunity to participate in such things as Forest School, 'Eco-Enrichment’ clubs, and the 'Spud (Allotment) Club' where they learn vegetable growing skills. They can apply their enthusiasm for engineering and construction by using recycled and natural materials to design propagators, fencing or maintain raised beds.

Our jetty on the River Cam

We have our own private jetty on the River Cam, where our pupils enjoy a unique vantage point for observing wildlife, as well as direct access to our popular co-curricular Paddle Sports programme.

Our Nature Reserve

Our Nature Reserve on Latham Close is our own biodiversity oasis, home to many wetland species and local wildlife. From resident warblers to breeding demoiselles, and grass snakes to nesting swans, it is a place that offers a place for students to learn practical conservation skills, explore natural history, and investigate methods to monitor biodiversity on the site.

This is not just a learning space, many students comment on how calming the activities are as they sow, grow and seed from one year to the next.

Forest school

The nature reserve also hosts our Cambridge-based Forest School sessions, providing our Forest School students with a fantastic environment in which to experience a blend of nature-based learning, practical skills, and imaginative play.

Ranging in activities from building nests and birdhouses using found materials, and shelter building complete with hot chocolate – our students love being connected to nature.

Working with the Wildlife Trust

Working with the Wildlife Trusts for Beds, Cambs & Northants has enabled Stephen Perse Cambridge to fully restore a pond within our nature reserve.

Their expertise, guidance and support have helped us return the pond to its former size and shape, safeguarding a valuable habitat that could otherwise have been lost. Funded through Natural England’s District Level Licensing scheme for Great Crested Newts, the restoration forms part of our contribution to the Cambridge Nature Network, helping to strengthen ecological connectivity along the River Cam County Wildlife Site corridor.

The restored pond provides valuable habitat for newts, moths, dragonflies, damselflies and demoiselles. Hibernacula created from dredged material will also support local amphibian and reptile populations, while making the pond easier to maintain in the future.

The project demonstrates how even small sites can make a meaningful contribution to nature recovery. Through working together on partnership and practical action, the Wildlife Trusts have helped us enhance biodiversity and ensure our nature reserve continues to support a diverse range of wildlife.