Orienteering for Redbridge Schools

CHIG put on an introductory orienteering event for teachers from Oaks Park and Beal High schools in Valentines Park on Monday 24th February. 

Both schools are providing free after school orienteering clubs for their students over the Easter and Summer terms, supported by CHIG and Charlotte Moore, who has run similar clubs for DFOK in SE London. 

The aim of the event was to provide an experience similar  to a “real” orienteering event, on a course planned for newcomers, with use of controls with SI units, dibbers, and navigation using an orienteering map; so that teachers are better placed to help their students get to grips with and enjoy the sport. 

10 teachers participated, seemed to enjoy!, and all successfully completed the course of 12 controls. This prompted some good discussion about how use of the technology is likely to engage students, and how to cater for students of different abilities.

Thanks to all the teachers for participating with energy; Ray Weekes for planning the course, the day after the CSC qualifier!, stalwart as ever, and to Vision RCL for our use of Valentines Park.  

We now look forward to working with the students, teachers and schools - the after school club sessions have now started at Beal with 15 Y7/8 students participating.