Massive congratulations to the group of S4 pupils who completed their Outward Bound course last week at the Loch Eil Centre, with Outward Bound Trust.

Nine pupils, who were selected for this trip, thrived while taking part in challenges and activities aimed to push them out of their comfort zones and work as part of a team. Some of the activities included were canoeing, hiking, camping, tree climbing, teambuilding exercises, raft building and an EXTREMELY cold loch jump (which our pupils wanted to do every day).

The course was designed to develop confidence in these young people and build on transferable skills for learning, life and work. Every single pupil completed the course having shown real resilience and passion for helping one and other. Each individual had their own challenges, however as the week went on the challenges seemed to fade as they built trust and confidence in their team.

Miss Paton (Curriculum Leader of Health and Wellbeing at WHEC and lead on the trip) explained ‘having been on a course with Outward Bound before, I knew the benefits that came with it. I was absolutely blown away to see a group of individuals pull together and support each other like our pupils did. Whether they took part fully in every activity or not, each and every one of them left having challenged themselves, I could not be more proud’.

As part of our continuous efforts surrounding Developing our Young Work Force here at Wester Hailes Education Centre, we believe that the Outward Bound course enabled our young people to use skills that they have learned in school and through work placements and transfer them into real life situations.

A huge thanks also goes out to the Parents and Carers of these young people for supporting the school with this course, I am sure you will agree with the success of it.