FEATURES: A unique course that helps students manage the transition from school to adulthood takes place in Donegal this summer.
Gartan Outdoor Education and Training Centre has partnered with Consilium Education to host ‘Leaving School Successfully’, a three-day course that equips students with the skills required to deal with the challenges that this stage of life presents.
‘Leaving School Successfully’ balances classroom learning and experiential learning in the rugged Gartan landscape.
An extensive outdoor programme, which will see students in woodland, on water and in the hills of Donegal, is complemented by classroom sessions to ensure continuous learning and the development of independent academic skills which young people need when the support that school provides is no longer there.
Ursula MacPherson, Director of Gartan OETC believes the course will provide students with a life-long learning experience, “This course is designed to help students develop motivation, commitment and resilience; key traits required when the familiar supports of school, family and friends are not there.
“Students will deal with challenges, which will help develop their focus and mind-set, preparing them for the challenges of life after school, whether academia, work or gap
year.
They’ll work independently and in a team, approaching decision making constructively and discovering how to turn setbacks into positives.
“They’ll learn how to build their knowledge independently, and particularly how to write for academic purposes, which will benefit them for life.
“Outdoor Education really adds depth to formal education, with outcomes immediately evident.”
Andy Homden, CEO of Consilium Education says an increasing number of students are struggling to make this transition every year: “Research from the Higher Education Authority shows that some 6,500 students, or one in six of all first years in higher education, did not progress to second year between 2012 and 2014.
“We know that higher education officials are particularly concerned at the high dropout rates, where up to 80 per cent of students are failing to progress beyond first year in some courses.
Students themselves have been telling us that the transition from school to adulthood is something they struggle with. Naturally, parents worry about it as well, so we wanted to develop a programme to help empower students, not only to survive this period, but to thrive during it.”
Adding to this, Ursula said: “We’re really looking forward to welcoming our first group of students at the end of the month.
“This course is tailor made for young people from 15 to 20 years of age. Those leaving school in 2016 will benefit immediately as they make their plans for 2016-2017, while students already in higher education can use the experience to heighten their awareness as they plan for their future.
“Students who are leaving school in a year or two will also find the course invaluable. There’s been a lot of interest in the course to date; we featured in The Irish Times this week and have had a great response, but places are filling up fast, so we would recommend early booking.”
Leaving School Successfully takes place on two separate dates: Monday, 27th – Wednesday, 29th June and Tuesday, 23rd – Thursday, 25th August.
The course costs €270 per participant, which includes accommodation, meals on a full board basis, on-site Public Liability Insurance, and the use of all equipment and provision of academic materials.
As well as the highest standard of instruction, Gartan OETC offers excellent accommodation, first class equipment and facilities, delicious and nutritious catering, and 87 acres of rambling, woodland lakeshore estate.
The centre is located on the shore of Gartan Lough, 2km from Church Hill village and 15km from Letterkenny.
For more information, http://visit www.gartan.com or www.consiliumeducation.com.
Places are limited so early booking is advised by contacting the team
at Gartan OETC via office@gartan.com<mailto:office@gartan.com> or +353
> (0)74 9137032.
