Dear Parents and Carers,
The Venture Award – Level Two
We are delighted to announce that this school year, our Year 8 students will have the opportunity to take part in The Venture Award Level Two, an exciting and challenging outdoor development programme run by the Duke of Edinburgh team at Mascalls in partnership with BXM Expeditions.
The Level Two Venture Award offers our Year 8 students an exciting introduction to the Venture Award programme. This stage encourages students to develop their confidence, independence, and environmental awareness through outdoor learning and adventure. With a strong environmental focus, the programme helps students understand the world around them and how best to protect it. It promotes wellbeing, teamwork, and sustainability, providing a fully facilitated and safe experience led by experienced BXM leaders.
About The Venture Award Level Two
The Level Two Venture Award combines outdoor education with environmental study, giving students the chance to explore real-world issues and their role in making a difference.
Throughout the programme, which costs £90 per student, participants will take part in regular sessions in school before completing a two-day, fully self-sufficient expedition in the local countryside based overnight at Adamswell campsite in Tunbridge Wells. During their in-school sessions, students will work on the “Learning Something New” section of their Venture Award Booklet, focused on The Environment. Students will complete an element of independent research on six key topics, each designed to build awareness of global environmental challenges and sustainable solutions, the ocean, fast fashion, single use plastic, farming and agriculture, non-renewable energy and renewable energy.
The expedition itself will take place over two days, with an activity day on Day 1 and a countryside walk on Day 2. This purposeful and rewarding experience will see students’ journey through the local area, applying their learning in a real-world context while developing their resilience, teamwork, and environmental responsibility.
This enriching programme helps students deepen their understanding of the environment, grow in confidence and independence, and strengthen their sense of community, all while having fun and creating lasting memories with their friends.
Next Steps
If you would like your child to take part in The Venture Award Level Two, please complete the online consent form (link provided here). Once this has been submitted, I will collate the list of students and contact you to advise that payment will open on Scopay, where you can pay a £20 non-refundable deposit to secure your child’s place. The remaining £70 balance can then be paid in instalments throughout the school year.
Further details, including confirmed expedition dates, itinerary, and kit list, will be shared closer to the event. Once we have a list of students interested in taking part, we will contact families to invite you to a Parents’ Information Evening, which will provide an opportunity to ask questions and speak directly with BXM Expeditions staff and members of our school team.
We believe this will be a truly valuable experience for our students, supporting their personal growth, environmental understanding, and wellbeing. As part of our ongoing commitment to outdoor learning and character development, we are proud to offer a clear pathway through the Venture Award and Duke of Edinburgh Award programmes:
● Year 7 – Venture Award Level 1
● Year 8 – Venture Award Level 2
● Year 9 – Duke of Edinburgh Bronze Award
● Year 10 – Duke of Edinburgh Silver Award
● Year 12/13 – Duke of Edinburgh Gold Award
We are extremely excited to see our students take on this next challenge, building confidence, resilience, and a deeper appreciation of the world around them.
Should you have any questions or require further details, please contact me via ventureaward@mascalls.latrust.org.uk.
Many Thanks,
Mr Sam Collis
DofE Lead
