Natural Learning Environment

Offering a top quality education within the heart of a national park enables Christ College Brecon’s pupils to gain skills that aren’t just classroom based, as James Matthews discovers

Not many schools can say they have a national park literally on their doorstep. Situated at the heart of the Brecon Beacons, pupils at Christ College Brecon, are able to take advantage of the natural environment beyond the four walls of the school.

The independent co-educational boarding and day school, which has 360 pupils between the ages of seven to 18, firmly believes co-curricular clubs and societies play a crucial role in character development - a reason why it has modified its weekly timetable.

The timetable has seen the introduction of its adventure programme, which gives pupils a series of challenging outdoor activities with the aim of promoting their physical, spiritual, social and moral development, as well as allowing drama, music and creative arts to have designated, extended time and elite sports pathways to be supported fully.

The adventure programme exposes pupils to activities that test mental and physical robustness. They not only learn a great deal about themselves but also how to support, encourage and empathise with others. This will serve to enhance pupils’ social development as well as help to develop them physically and emotionally.

Activities pupils can enjoy include climbing, gorge walking, paddle sports, hill walking and mountain biking. The sessions aim to create positive experiences that make pupils feel more comfortable with the outdoor environment, themselves and the natural things around them.

The second curriculum focused Saturdays have already been introduced to sixth form pupils, who have been following the school’s Curriculum for Life programme. They participate in seminars focusing on financial literacy, politics or philosophy, the UCAS system and university courses, and learn general life skills. Pupils get outdoors, help in the community and work towards extra-curricular awards, such as the Duke of Edinburgh award.

Christ College prides itself on its inclusive learning community, where the school becomes a second home and pupils and faculty become family. Founded by Henry VIII in 1541, the college is one of the oldest schools in Wales and it consistently achieves excellent results at A level and GCSE. Over the past three years, 43 per cent of A level grades were A* or A and 87 per cent grade A to C. Over the same period, 46 per cent of GCSE results were grades 9 to 7.

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