Part of the Etc.
A bunch of Public Services students proved that they have got what it takes to pursue a life in the services.
The learners from SRC Bede Sixth Form put their outdoor skills to the ultimate test with a three-day expedition led by members of the Royal Marines.
“If it is career in the services they want then this kind of experience is just the thing to test their mettle,” said Course Leader Garreth Evans.
There’s no doubt this visit to the Lake District was no pleasure trip. Sleeping in survival shelters, with just the essentials they could carry on their backs and eating from ration packs, this was no walk in the park.
“Working in the public services takes a particular kind of person,” said Garreth a former soldier himself.
“It takes someone who can operate outside of their comfort zone, overcome obstacles they come up against and be able to problem solve as they go along.”
To this end, he says, an expedition is just the thing to put those skills to the test. Whether it was mountain biking downhill at Whinlatter Forest or climbing England’s highest peak, Scarfell Pike, with the weather against them, the students rose to the challenge.
“It was tough,” said Garreth, “but they loved every minute.”
Ben Farnaby, 17, of Billingham, said: “The expedition was really valuable, apart from the functional skills I learned such as navigational skills, it made me push myself to my limits, whilst still remaining cheerful. It also showed me the value of teamwork and the importance of motivating one another.”
Dan Grainge, also 17 from Billingham, said: “The expedition really advanced my navigational skills, especially as the weather limited our visibility. It was an amazing trip and a once in a lifetime opportunity.”
Leighton Clark, 17, from Ingleby Barwick, added: “It was really demanding, however I feel as though I learned new life skills and I enjoyed it.”
For details about the Public Services courses available at SRC Bede Sixth Form, Billingham, visit www.stockton.ac.uk/courses/uniformed-services/ or call 01642 865 566.
The learners from SRC Bede Sixth Form put their outdoor skills to the ultimate test with a three-day expedition led by members of the Royal Marines.
“If it is career in the services they want then this kind of experience is just the thing to test their mettle,” said Course Leader Garreth Evans.
There’s no doubt this visit to the Lake District was no pleasure trip. Sleeping in survival shelters, with just the essentials they could carry on their backs and eating from ration packs, this was no walk in the park.
“Working in the public services takes a particular kind of person,” said Garreth a former soldier himself.
“It takes someone who can operate outside of their comfort zone, overcome obstacles they come up against and be able to problem solve as they go along.”
To this end, he says, an expedition is just the thing to put those skills to the test. Whether it was mountain biking downhill at Whinlatter Forest or climbing England’s highest peak, Scarfell Pike, with the weather against them, the students rose to the challenge.
“It was tough,” said Garreth, “but they loved every minute.”
Ben Farnaby, 17, of Billingham, said: “The expedition was really valuable, apart from the functional skills I learned such as navigational skills, it made me push myself to my limits, whilst still remaining cheerful. It also showed me the value of teamwork and the importance of motivating one another.”
Dan Grainge, also 17 from Billingham, said: “The expedition really advanced my navigational skills, especially as the weather limited our visibility. It was an amazing trip and a once in a lifetime opportunity.”
Leighton Clark, 17, from Ingleby Barwick, added: “It was really demanding, however I feel as though I learned new life skills and I enjoyed it.”
For details about the Public Services courses available at SRC Bede Sixth Form, Billingham, visit www.stockton.ac.uk/courses/uniformed-services/ or call 01642 865 566.
