Fairplay Outdoor Education Centre
Photos of Fairplay Outdoor Education Centre
What will students see and do?
Located in the Essex countryside less than one hour from London, Fairplay Outdoor Education Centre provides an exceptional outdoor learning experience across 12 acres of spectacular natural parkland.
The centre delivers challenging adventures that combine excitement with meaningful personal development for students of all abilities.
Students can experience an impressive range of high-adventure activities including a giant swing that can be adjusted to different heights, and climbing on a purpose-built wall that resembles real gritstone rock face within the wooded grounds.
High ropes, low ropes, zip wire, mountain biking, archery and canoeing provide diverse physical challenges that build confidence and resilience.
The centre excels in water-based activities with sailing sessions conducted on the local sailing club training lake using stable catamaran dinghies, where students learn to sail independently around the lake.
Environmental education comes alive through bushcraft sessions that include lighting fires without matches, campfire cooking, shelter building, creating hammocks and whittling.
Creative activities such as kite-making, where teams design and build kites before testing them at a local park, add variety to programmes.
The unique on-site caving system offers progressive challenges that increase in complexity as confidence builds.
For residential visits, students enjoy comfortable accommodation with spacious bedrooms with lovely garden views, bunk beds and rooms sleeping between four and eight children.
Instructors work with small groups of no more than 12 students on bespoke programmes, with students participating in three to four activities per day.
How does the trip link to the curriculum?
All sessions focus on three core values of resilience, teamwork and independence, providing outdoor learning experiences that allow children to grow and develop as individuals while becoming more confident and self-assured.
Physical education benefits significantly from the centre’s offerings. Students take part in outdoor and adventurous activities within teams, remain physically active for sustained periods, and develop flexibility, strength, technique, control and balance.
These activities directly support KS2/3 PE requirements for outdoor and adventurous activities.
Science learning emerges naturally through practical experiences. Students explore forces including gravity, air resistance and friction through activities like the giant swing and kite-making, observing how different objects fall and identifying the effects of various forces.
Bushcraft activities demonstrate states of matter as students observe materials changing when heated and learn about irreversible changes associated with burning.
Geography benefits from activities involving simple compass directions and locational language.
PSHE development is central to the experience. Activities promote taking on challenges, facing fears, supporting and encouraging each other and developing self-belief while following instructions and taking responsibility for teammates.
The centre provides a safe space for students to learn away from school while developing confidence and communication skills through outdoor activities.
For secondary students, the centre offers revision programmes with dedicated teaching sessions equivalent to six weeks of lessons, significantly benefiting student confidence and exam performance.
Subjects covered
Teaching resources provided
Contact the team to discuss any teaching resources you require for your trip. While the centre provides all activity equipment and safety gear, teachers planning visits should consider how outdoor experiences can enhance classroom learning before and after the visit.
Pre-visit preparation might include mapping exercises using the centre’s Essex location, research into local geography and history, or science investigations related to forces and materials that students will explore practically during activities.
The centre’s focus on resilience, teamwork and independence provides rich opportunities for PSHE discussions and goal-setting exercises.
Post-visit activities could involve reflective writing about personal achievements, creative work inspired by outdoor experiences or follow-up science experiments building on concepts explored during bushcraft or adventure activities.
Teachers can use the range of curriculum connections – from PE and science to geography and PSHE – to create meaningful learning sequences that maximise the educational value of their visit to this inspiring Essex location.
Minimum and maximum group size
Fairplay offers sole residential occupancy sleeping up to 72 pupils plus six or seven staff across 12 bedrooms. Bedrooms sleep four, eight, nine or ten pupils in bunk beds and all rooms have storage facilities and a sink.
Day visits are available for a minimum of ten students and up to 19 students. Instructors work with small groups of no more than 12 students on bespoke programmes.
Details of risk assessment
All instructors have been trained, assessed and meet requirements set out by National Governing Bodies including AALA (The Adventure Activities Licensing Authority) who inspect the centre.
All instructors are fully qualified to lead all activities and have many years of experience working with children and adults of all ages and abilities.
All staff have approved enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks and hold Safeguarding certificates. All instructors are qualified to lead activities and risk assessments are regularly checked and reviewed in line with the most up-to-date guidance.
Risk assessments for each activity are sent to schools during the booking process.
Don't miss our downloadable A-Z guide on completing a risk assessment
Facilities on-site
Fairplay offers sole residential occupancy sleeping up to 72 pupils. Bedrooms are on both floors, with boys usually upstairs and girls downstairs, and there is a bathroom for each floor where students can shower, generally in the evening after activities.
Lunch is served either in the dining room or the picnic area outside, depending on the weather. Summer evenings can be spent playing on the football pitch or throwing a ball around with friends in the garden.
The centre provides varied breakfast options including hot dishes, cereals and fruit.
Opening times
You can contact the centre directly on 01621 891213 or at fairplay.house@newham.gov.uk.
Pricing
Day visits cost £45 per student per day for groups with a minimum of ten students and up to 19 students. Contact the team to check availability and confirm the price of your booking.
All programmes are bespoke for your school or group, with options for high-adrenaline activities, team-building, revision sessions or a mix of activities.
Travel arrangements
Fairplay House is less than one hour drive from London, with a direct train journey of 45 minutes from London Liverpool Street. The centre is accessible by turning off at the Witham junction.
Address
Fairplay Outdoor Education Centre, Station Road, Wickham Bishops, Witham, CM8 3JL
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