At the recent researchEd conference at King’s Leadership Academy Warrington, Ted Roberts delivered an inspiring session on “Character Through Adventure.” As Head of King’s Adventure at the Great Schools Trust, Ted leads the Trust’s outdoor education programme, helping students grow into confident, resilient young people prepared to face life’s challenges.
Ted opened his session with a memorable quote from René Daumal: "You cannot stay on the summit forever." Ted explained how life is full of peaks and troughs, and it’s the positive experiences we have, and the resilience we build, that help to guide us through the difficult times. He explained that outdoor education offers young people the chance to face real challenges, to learn resilience through experience and to acquire practical skills in environments that test them. For many students who join the Great Schools Trust, particularly those from urban areas, opportunities to engage with the natural world have been rare. Ted’s mission is to ensure that every child, regardless of background, is able to experience the transformative power of nature and adventure.
The session detailed how the Great Schools Trust embeds character and leadership development through its King’s Adventure programme. This is not a standalone initiative, but a structured journey that begins in primary school and extends through to the end of secondary education. Students engage in progressive outdoor and experiential learning, which includes age-appropriate activities such as sleeping under the stars and learning first aid, before moving on to more advanced challenges like the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award and cadet programmes. Each stage is part of a journey which involves students following their "King’s Compass," guided by the Trust’s ASPIRE values, and filling their "King’s Rucksack" with the skills they gain. At Key Stage 4, they reach their summit by completing their silver DofE, and their "King’s CV" captures the full range of personal development and achievement they’ve experienced.
Ted also discussed the evidence around outdoor education to highlight the significant impact it can have. Drawing on the work of Professor David Hopkins, he emphasised that adventure learning is a well-supported method for boosting cognitive abilities, emotional regulation and mental health. He also pointed to research from Christie and colleagues, which found that students in Scottish schools would like to undertake more outdoor learning but often lack sufficient access. This reinforced Ted’s belief that outdoor education must become a fundamental part of school life, not an afterthought.
Ted also mentioned that it’s not only the students who benefit from outdoor education; Great Schools Trust staff get involved too, taking part in residentials and facing challenges alongside their students. This shared experience offers new perspectives and helps to build stronger connections between students and teachers. Staff also take part in their own dedicated trips, giving them a better understanding of what their students go through and fostering a culture of teamwork across the organisation.
The lasting impact of King’s Adventure is already clear. Former students have been inspired to pursue careers in the military, public services, or outdoor education as a result of their experiences. A standout example is George Pennington, a former Trust student and cadet who now works as a King’s Adventure Leader at King’s Warrington, giving back to the same school community that helped to shape him.
Ted closed his session by encouraging delegates to consider the transformative potential of outdoor education. He expressed a willingness to support others in embedding similar approaches and left attendees with a renewed sense of what is possible when learning goes beyond the classroom.