Parents Guide to Harrow House Trip 2010

1. Success through perseverance Parents Guide to Harrow House Trip 2010 • The following powerpoint presentation shows the JCA Harrow House Guide (Blue) and the opinions of Cyfarthfa Junior School staff on the site following a recent site visit (Red). Let the adventure begin...

2. Welcome to JCA2010 Let the adventure begin...

3. About us We are a leading provider of school activity courses the UK, established for 14 years. Operating from 15 centres across the country, we deliver high quality educational experiences that meet the needs of every individual. Our courses encompass a range of outdoor activities which encourage personal and social development, inspire and motivate learning, foster independence and build confidence, all in a safe environment. Let the adventure begin...

4. The value of JCA We believe that learning outside the classroom is essential to a well-rounded education. Our courses focus on engaging and enjoyable learning, and help develop life skills… • Learning to work together as a team • Achieving personal and team goals • Conquering fears • Trying new and exciting activities • Experiencing living away from home • Respecting and valuing each others abilities • Revealing undiscovered strengths “Outdoor education gives depth to the curriculum and makes an important contribution to students’ physical, personal and social education.” Ofsted, Outdoor Education – Aspects of Good Practice, September 2004 Let the adventure begin...

5. Success through perseverance JCA • The school have stayed with JCA before and all staff and particularly pupils enjoyed the experience. • The school also value the experience pupils get from learning in a new exciting environment and having to take (some) responsibility for themselves.

6. National Curriculum • Our programmes are linked to Key Stages 2, 3 and 4 of the National Curriculum, our standard midweek Action & Adventure programme offers the opportunity to cover aspects of: • PE • PSHE • English • Maths • Art & Design • Design & Technology • Music • Science Let the adventure begin...

7. Safety is our top priority We adhere strictly to the Activities Centre Advisory Committee (ACAC) Code of Practice We operate strictly within the Code of Practice laid down by the British Activities Holiday Association (BAHA) of which we are full members We are corporate members of the Institute for Outdoor Learning (IOL) We are affiliated to the NAHT and our Operations Director is a full member of the Association of Heads of Outdoor Education Centres (AHOEC) Let the adventure begin...

8. Success through perseverance Safety • All activities the children undertake have been risk assessed by JCA staff and school staff. Before undertaking any trip these risk assessments are passed onto the schools advisory service who then decide whether the trip can go ahead.

9. Our instructors • All JCA instructors are required to: • Attend an interview prior to employment - criteria for • selection includes suitability to work with children, • enthusiasm and friendliness • Provide two referees • Undergo a rigorous 3 week assessment / training • programme • Submit an Enhanced Disclosure to the Criminal • Records Bureau (CRB) • We train our instructors in National Governing Body (NGB) Qualification: • British Fencing Association • British Orienteering Federation • All staff hold the HSE recognised Appointed Persons First Aid qualification and Senior Staff hold the First Aid at Work Certificate. • Climbing and Abseiling technique is instructed by SPA Assessed instructors and assessed by one of the UK’s leading climbing trainers/assessors (MIC qualified). Let the adventure begin...

10. Success through perseverance Instructors • In addition to the instructors each group of children going on the trip will have a member of staff from Cyfarthfa Juniors assigned to them. • At all times a member of staff will be with the children while they are carrying out activities.

11. What your trip includes… • Full board accommodation • Full activity programme • Full holiday insurance • Evening entertainment programme • 1:8 free places for accompanying adults • Activity group size maximum 1:12 • One dedicated multi-trained instructor • per activity group for the duration of your course • Achievement certificates Let the adventure begin...

12. Harrow House Swanage, Dorset Let the adventure begin...

13. Harrow House Location Located in Swanage, the capital of the Isle of Purbeck, and listed as one of the top 4 seaside resorts in the UK for cleanliness, safety and outstanding beauty. It is considered to be the gateway town to England’s first natural World Heritage Site; the Jurassic Coast. Harrow House enjoys splendid views of the surrounding Purbeck Hills, the sea and the Isle of Wight. Sandy beaches and the town’s attractions are all within 10 minutes walking distance from the centre. Let the adventure begin...

14. Location Success through perseverance Swanage is approximately 3.5hours from Merthyr Tydfil. En-route we will stop to allow the children a rest and to eat a packed lunch.

15. Harrow House Accommodation • Multi-bedded dormitories (2-8 beds) in one main building. • Shower & toilet amenities are • situated in the internal corridors • Key pads on all bedroom doors • Lockers in each bedroom • Wash basin in each bedroom Let the adventure begin...

16. Success through perseverance Accomodation • The accomodation in Harrow House was in dormitories. • Boys and Girls will be in separate areas with members of staff sleeping in rooms next to the children. • All rooms were clean and tidy but a little basic (NO TV or DVD players, sorry children).

17. Success through perseverance Accomodation (continued) • There are shower and toilet blocks in each area (Boys and Girls) which also were clean and well fitted. However we suggest that each child brings a dressing gown to travel to and from the shower to protect the modesty of all involved (mainly staff!)

18. Harrow House Facilities • Our Harrow House centre offers an impressive range of facilities including: • Outdoor heated swimming pool • Indoor sports hall & floodlit sports dome • Large games room with Table Tennis • Basketball & Tennis courts • Volley, Handball & Squash courts • Cinema & Theatre • Mini golf • Disco Let the adventure begin...

19. Facilities Success through perseverance The facilities at Harrow House were excellent, the best we have seen at a site like this for quality and variety. These included: • Outdoor heated swimming pool • Indoor sports hall  • Floodlit sports dome • Large games rooms with table tennis & pool • Basketball and tennis courts • Volleyball, handball & squash courts • Mini golf • Boule • Cinema • Theatre hall • Disco • Conference room • Computer rooms with internet access • Cafeteria • Shop

20. Activities There are lots of exciting and adventurous JCA activities to choose from… Harrow House Parachute Challenge Photo Challenge Pioneering Rocket Launch Sports Activities Swimming Team Challenge Town Walk Uni hoc Wet & Wacky Wide Games World of Sport Abseiling Aeroball Airgolf Archery Beach Games/Walks Buggy Building Circus Frenzy! Climbing Coastal Walk Fencing Initiative Exercises Mini Olympics Let the adventure begin... Photographs may not have been taken at Harrow House, but represent the activities available

21. Harrow House Sample Programme Times and activities may vary from the sample timetable above. Let the adventure begin... All specialist equipment is provided. Children are required to bring suitable outdoor clothing for activities.

22. Success through perseverance Activities • The activities at Harrow House are identical to the ones that were on offer when we last attended a JCA centre. As such staff are aware of the various demands of these activities on pupils and will be able to tailor a programme to meet the individual needs of our school and pupils. • There is also an opportunity for the pupils to go on a coastal walk to learn all about England’s first natural World Heritage Site; the Jurassic Coast. • Also, if we wish we will be able to visit local parks, shops,etc.

23. We hope you enjoy your stay at Harrow House with JCA

24. Success through perseverance Other Schools • Other schools may be using the site, however where possible they will be housed in separate accomodation. • The meal times for other schools will be separate from our own. • No pupils from other schools will be taking part in activities with our children.

25. Success through perseverance Food • There is a canteen serving freshly cooked food from which the children will have a choice of what they eat.

26. Success through perseverance Calling Home • The children will NOT be taking mobile phones with them as we feel that this is not necessary on this trip. The school will contact you using the “teacherstoparents” TEXT service to keep you up to date with all the fun activities. Please ensure that the school has an upto date mobile number for you or that a fellow parent can forward on any texts to you.

27. Success through perseverance Calling Home • There are call phones on the site that the pupils will be able to ring home from. The phoneboxes do not receive incoming calls so if you want to speak to your child please ensure they have a bag of change for the phone.

28. Success through perseverance Safety – all bedroom doors have key pads • There are over 60 motion activated security cameras on and off site. • The doors to the centre are locked every night. • All members of staff (including any from outside agencies, e.g. builders, caterers, cleaners) have been checked by the Criminal Records Bureau (CRB).

29. Success through perseverance OVERALL • The school was impressed by the standard of cleanliness of the site. • The staff were very friendly. • The facilities were superb. • All of our questions over the safety of the children were answered to our satisfaction. • The facilities were superb. We feel confident that this will be an excellent trip, one that staff and pupils will remember for a long time!