^{Welcome to Brent's Outdoor Education Centre, affectionately known as Gordon Brown!}

 

^{The Gordon Brown Outdoor Education Centre experience takes place in the Autumn Term, bi-annually. This means that the next trips are scheduled for 2025, 2027 and 2029.}

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^{At Anson, our children get one chance to visit the centre when they are in Year 5 or Year 6. This means they need to make the decision while they are Year 4 or Year 5 for the next academic year. This allows us to calculate the costs and help families spread the payments over 10-11 months.} 

Duration

^{The children leave school on a Monday morning and return on a Friday afternoon before the end of the school day. The cost of the trip includes all activities and meals.} 

Activities

^{There are so many activities on offer at the centre. Many of them are highlighted in the image below. You can download this document from this page. However, the trip is about more than the activities you can see. The children are also responsible for tidying dormitories, feeding the animals, making breakfast, cleaning and collecting wood (for fires and bonfires).}

^{The team building exercises bond the group together and the evening activities such as the night walk or bonfires are a great way to continue this work.} 

Sleeping

^{The children are split into separate dormitories, one for boys and one for girls. Beds are bunk beds and so children share these in smaller groups. Each dormitory has its own shower block too so that boys and girls can have privacy and clean off the dirt from the day.} 

^{Lights go out at 9pm and children are encouraged to sleep and be respectful to those around them. Children are usually having breakfast at 8am, ready for the day ahead.} 

Keep in Touch

^{Children are not allowed to bring devices with them while they are away. However, we know you will want to see how they are getting on. To support this we build a website and try to ensure every children is pictured in the activities. You can save these pictures via the private website.}

     

Cost

^{The cost of the trip varies. To secure a place we need a non-refundable deposit of £50. If we reach 30 children the trip is guaranteed to go ahead. The more children we get, the lower the overall price for the trip. At present the cost is set at £350 per pupil.} 

^{Parents can sign up through the School Gateway app.} 

 

FAQs

^{What do we need to bring?}

^{A kit list is available on this page to download but this does include a pillow, sheet, duvet or sleeping bag. Plus wellington boots!}

^{Is the food halal?}

^{Yes. There are meat and vegetarian options available throughout the day but the kitchen is halal.} 

^{What if my child gets homesick?}

^{We send a minimum of 4 adults to the site and they act as your child's parents and family for the week. We look after them, nurture them and support them throughout their time at the centre.} 

^{My child needs medicine each day. What do I do?}

^{You will fill in a medical form before departure and provide the medication. We then administer this medication with your child at the correct time.}

^{When should I sign up?}

For the 2025 trip deposits must be made by the 27th November 2024.

^{If you have any other questions please use Seesaw or speak to Mr Pile on the playground.}