New Views. The London Challenge residential courses

'I did not know that life could be like that . I did not want it to end!'

The quote from a 12 year old on a New Views residential course provides a compelling testament to a ground-breaking project which the FSC led between 2004-2008. During that period the FSC coordinated the provision of DCSF (Department for Children, Schools and Families) funded residential visits for Key Stage 3 (11-14 year old) pupils from all London secondary schools. Working with 10 other providers over 34,000 young people from 310 London secondary schools (75% of the total) attended 850 residential courses at 35 different sites. The availability of funding also enabled a previously excluded group to take part in residentials, the majority for the first time.

Independent evaluation by London University's Institute of Education, involving over 2000 parents, teachers, senior managers and young people, has shown positive impacts on:

• Attitudes in school and home
• Motivation and engagement with academic learning
• Self confidence and self esteem
• Social awareness and teamwork
• Environmental awareness

An Executive Summary of the IoE evaluation is available through the link below. An illustrated report, published by the FSC, is also available. This provides many quotes from teachers, parents and students which, as with the IoE report above, demonstrates wide ranging influences.

• Executive Summary. London Challenge Residentials Initiative. Main Phase Evaluation 2005 - 2008. Ruth Amos & Michael Reiss (July 2009)
• New Views. Lessons learned from the London Challenge residential courses. Steve Tilling & Ruth Amos (June 2009)