Oakeley Year 9 ventured out to the bunk house in the woods to learn how to use knives safely to whittle wood, saw logs and chop wood using axes this week. This was the first session of four where the pupils learn the basic survival skills which include fire building, shelter building and cooking over an open fire. This course is open to all Year 9 pupils throughout the year, attending in House groups and is intended to build their interpersonal and life skills as well as self-confidence.

The second week of survival skills comprised of finding materials to build a fire with, perfecting the use of a fire stick and keeping a fire going once lit – which is much harder than it looks!