Promoting a community of growth
The Young Explorer Programme is for our Year 11 students as they get ready to leave us. It gives them the chance to try new things, get to know places beyond their own neighbourhood and build the confidence, communication and teamwork they will need next.
It grew out of the first lockdown, when what mattered most to our own wellbeing turned out to be access to the outdoors. Stoke on Trent is a busy inner city, but it sits beside some amazing countryside and we wanted our students to use it. In 2020 several staff gained the Lowland Leader qualification so we could take groups into the local area and the Peak District, and we partnered with outdoor education centres for specialist expertise and facilities.
On the water
Students spend four to five weeks at Tittesworth Reservoir. Returning to the same place week after week means they get really familiar with the area while trying something completely new, and they build the confidence to go back under their own steam.
On foot
Walks in the Peak District and closer to home teach practical map reading and navigation, and show students a different side of Staffordshire to the town centres they usually spend their time in.
In the city
Visits to Leek, Stone, Stafford, Chester and Liverpool are built around carefully created murder mystery trails, so students practise communication, team building and literacy while they explore. The aim is simple: later in life they are far more likely to visit and enjoy the beautiful parts of the UK.
Close to home
We deliberately use local providers such as the YMCA for sport and Awesome Walls for indoor climbing. It supports businesses on our doorstep and leaves students with places they know, can reach and are far more likely to use again.
In the woods
With Inside Out Forest School students build shelters, learn to light and manage a fire, cook outdoors, and take part in arts and crafts using what the woodland provides. It is practical, hands-on learning that builds patience, problem solving and teamwork.
Under canvas
One or two nights away where students pitch their own tents and cook on the barbecue, with staff giving up their own time to be there. It is Phoenix’s version of prom, held on the beach in a smaller, calmer setting — a chance to look back on the journey from their first day at Phoenix, talk about where they are heading next, and say a proper goodbye.
Every trip starts at Phoenix in Hanley. Hover or tap a marker to see what happens there.
On site
Whilst we don’t have vast amounts of outdoor space on our immediate site, we think we’ve made the most of what we have.
The Courtyard Garden provides students with a peaceful area to socialise at breaktimes where they can eat their lunch or chat to friends. Students are encouraged to participate in keeping our garden tidy and a place where everyone can enjoy.
It features a sitting area designed and built by students out of discarded pallets, several small garden areas containing plants, fruit trees, bird tables, insect feeders and a rainwater capture system to help students learn about the importance of looking after our environment.
Winners of Queen’s Award 2021
We are fortunate that we have the multi award winning Y-Active Leisure Centre just a short walk from the school to make sure all our students have the opportunity to take part in sport and fitness. The centre offers a gym, multi-purpose sports hall, dance studio, climbing wall and a floodlit 4-G all-weather astroturf football pitch. We use the centre on two afternoons per week.
In the summer months and / or when the weather allows, we also use the nearby park, about a two minute walk from school, for a quick game of football, rounders, tennis or anything else that takes their fancy.
“Pupils develop skills that they never thought they would have. For example, pupils achieve qualifications in climbing, kayaking and first aid.”