We are lucky to enjoy the open space of a 150 acre estate and aim to make the most of this space through our adventure education programmes.

First Form Introduction to Adventure

First Form

At the start of their first year, all pupils attend Brenscombe Outdoor Centre, near Corfe Castle in Dorset for an overnight stay followed by an action-packed day of activities such as: archery, pioneering, air-rifle shooting, a high and low ropes course. The aim of this trip is to help everyone to get to know each other in a relaxed, fun and challenging environment.

Arctic Adventure

Second Form

Staying in a cabin on the edge of the Arctic Circle, our Second Form pupils spend a week in the sub-zero temperatures of this beautiful area experiencing cross country skiing, snow-shoeing, dog sledding, ice fishing, as well as spending time in a Swedish school. In addition they are also responsible for shopping, cooking and cleaning for themselves all week, making this a true expedition experience. 

Moonrakers

Third Form

This is a programme of outdoor and adventurous activities run on a Friday afternoon for all Third Form pupils. Activities include: outdoor cooking, kayaking, cycling, first aid, expedition skills, navigation, orienteering, indoor climbing, sailing, shooting, survival, river crossing, sub-aqua diving and archery. In the summer, all pupils attend the Moonrakers Camp where over six days they have the opportunity to develop themselves through adventures in Aberdovey, North Wales.

Jolie Brise and the Sailing Club

Second Form onwards

Dauntsey's School Sailing Club sails and maintains the Jolie Brise under the command of full-time skipper, Toby Marris, and first mate, Adam Seager. During the spring, summer and half-term holidays Jolie Brise cruises to almost anywhere in Europe; Spain, Portugal, Iceland, Norway and the Shetland Islands to name but a few. She often takes part in the Tall Ships' races, and she annually competes in the Round the Island Race as well. We also run Dinghy Sailing Academies in the Isle of Wight for Second and Third Form pupils to introduce them to sailing.

Post GCSE Programmes

Fifth Form

These take place in the week after the last GCSE examination and are open to all pupils in the Fifth Form. There is a range of options available and all are designed to provide pupils with specific skills and attitudes that will be useful as they progress into the Sixth Form. Some of these will be practical, like CPR or cooking, others will affect many areas of their lives, such as teamwork or leadership. Above all they are designed to be fun to take part in.

Options in the past have included life-guarding, flying school, cookery, a Jurassic adventure and the Dauntsey's Leadership Academy.

Brecons Challenge

Lower Sixth

This is our own adventure race held in June every year in the Brecon Beacons. The course involves running over Pen y Fan, Cribyn and Fan y Big (approximately 10 km in distance with 850 m of ascent), followed by a 18 km mountain bike ride through the forest to the Monmouth canal to jump into kayaks to paddle 8 km to the finish line in the centre of Brecon. The event finishes back at school with a celebratory dinner and prizegiving.

Devizes to Westminster Canoe Race

Lower Sixth

Dauntsey's has been entering teams for the 'DW' race for more than 40 years and it is certainly a highlight of the school year. Although just seven pairs of paddlers from the Lower Sixth Form are involved in the race, high levels of commitment, fitness and determination are necessary to complete the event and this is recognised by all and the crews carry with them the good wishes of all Dauntseians, as well as the resounding cheers from the many peers who line the tow path during the race itself.

Trek to The Stones

Fourth Form

This independent expedition sees Fourth Form pupils walking from the School to the famous stone circle at Avebury, camping overnight on the way. Self-sufficient teams choose their own routes with most opting to cover over 50 kilometers over the two days.

Duke of Edinburgh's Award Scheme

Sixth Form

The Duke of Edinburgh's Award is the leading, internationally recognised youth award. Dauntsey's offers Gold level to the Lower Sixth Form.Each young person tailors their Award to suit them with advice, support and encouragement from school where needed.

Winter Mountaineering

Fifth Form, Lower Sixth, Upper Sixth

In the February half term we often run a winter mountaineering trip to Scotland. It is open to pupils from Fifth Form, Lower Sixth and Upper Sixth. No experience is necessary but it is an opportunity to learn the basics of winter mountaineering, to experience the excitement and harshness of the Scottish mountains and to investigate the behaviours that support success in adventure.

Kayak Club and Climbing Club

All years

Climbing on the School's Climbing Wall and getting to grips with the basics of kayaking in the School pool.