What makes us different?
“All of Outspark’s facilitators were both professional and respectful at all times - they are experts in their field, which makes a tremendous difference to the quality of the provision on offer. I can’t recommend Outspark enough!” Head of Sixth Form, Tunbridge Wells Girls Grammar School.
We take the stress out of running DofE expeditions.
What we know is that schools can find it hard to run DofE, as it takes a lot of planning, organising and running. Risk assessments, route planning, campsite booking, getting staff to give up their weekends, teaching navigation and campcraft, etc.
There is a lot to do.
And schools already have a lot to do! We know: we are ex-Teachers and School DofE co-ordinators and you can believe us when we say that we understand the time pressures school staff are all under. Schools can ask so much of the staff willing to help, or have to limit places - which means students who are slow to get organised - the ones who need DofE most - can find all the places are already gone.
But we know that DofE is brilliant and worthwhile for everybody. So what to do?
Well, we at Outspark have the solution. We can make providing the DofE Award at Bronze, Silver and Gold achievable. In fact, not just achievable, but fun. And challenging. And brilliant!
We’ll come in and run a launch assembly at your school.
We’ll help with team formations and equip the young people with some knowledge before the first training event.
We’ll give you parent information letters to hand out.
We’ll organise online consent and medical information gathering.
We’ll be at the end of a phone or email to answer your questions and make everything (well, everything to do with your DofE expedition) better.
So let’s get cracking..
Whether it’s a Bronze, Silver or Gold (or all three) expedition that you would like us to organise with you, you’ll find out more information on this website. All of our expeditions are brilliant; ran by experienced and compassionate staff, led in beautiful locations, with the knowledge and planning to make them challenging, attainable and safe. So give us a call, email or complete the enquiry form on the Contact & Book page. We can’t wait to hear from you!
Alex Bryant
Operations Manager
Alex has supported thousands of young people to thrive and develop in the natural environment. Starting his career in East Sussex, Alex worked for an outdoor education charity taking children and young people climbing, canoeing, on woodland adventure walks and learning team skills. He also specialised in supporting young people from deprived backgrounds in London, accessing the countryside and upland locations for adventurous weekends away.
Alex then co-ordinated the Duke of Edinburgh Award at his next school, and this valuable experience led to his appointment as operations manager at outdoor education company Outspark.
Away from work, Alex enjoys country walks with his wife and dog, Bence, along the South Downs, plays golf and travels. Alex has had the pleasure of visiting Peru, New Zealand, Europe and Vietnam. And this spirit of adventure shines through whilst working with young people for Outspark.
Jenny Cusick
Deputy Operations Manager
Jenny’s passion for the outdoors began at school, completing her Bronze, Silver and Gold Duke of Edinburgh's Awards.
She worked in schools for 14 years developing a love for education and learning. Alongside teaching, she spent her spare time volunteering with local D of E groups helping other young people to achieve their awards.
During her teaching career Jenny was a SENCO, deputy head and teacher governor but she decided to move into outdoor education 10 years ago.
Combining her passion for the outdoors and love of learning, Jenny became an outdoor instructor taking groups on activities such as climbing, abseiling, caving, team building, archery and mountain biking.
Working at outdoor education centres in Somerset and Wales, and having spent some time working for the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award charity, she has worked with a wide range of groups supporting and encouraging them out of their comfort zones and helping them to push their limits.
Jenny loves sharing her knowledge and drive with others and watching young people grow and develop in the outdoor environment. Jenny enjoys adventures in her camper van with her partner and rescue dog. She also loves crafts and can often be found knitting or crocheting on a mountain or beside a river.
Jason Buckley
Managing Director
Jason is one of the world’s leading authorities on Philosophy for Children (P4C) and educating the more able.
He is founder and director of The Philosophy Man, the UK’s leading independent provider of P4C training. Over 17,000 teachers receive his P4C resource bulletin and he is a sought-after speaker for educational conferences and events.
He also set up Outspark: supporting schools to deliver the expedition element of the Duke Edinburgh Award.
Alongside philosophy and outdoor education, Jason is also Director of GIFT, which runs residential trips for gifted and talented young people.
Jason’s passion for learning outside the classroom, combined with his energy and drive, means he will probably never retire from working with young people. His experience, knowledge and enthusiasm is a great asset to Outspark and is a huge part of our journey to enrich the lives of children and young people.
Tim Davis
Development Coordinator
Tim cut his outdoors teeth in the wilds of West Virginia as a white-water rafting guide, canoe leader and climbing instructor. Working with American and international children, Tim would lead multi-day adventures, often wild camping by the river or near the rock face.
Back in the UK, Tim worked for the outdoor education industry in the North Pennines and East Sussex. Then, working for a London-based charity, Tim discovered a passion for facilitating adventurous experiences for children and young people living in areas of high deprivation and low opportunity.
He took a lead role in organising and running residential trips, and has supported thousands of young people who may not have ordinarily enjoyed that type of experience.
It was in East Sussex that Tim met his wife and had his two children, Marmaduke and Woody. Tim works for Outspark part-time and is also live-at-home Dad.
A desire to see children and young people have adventurous experiences, enjoy time outside the classroom and learn more about themselves drives Tim’s motivation and passion working for Outspark.
Chloe Thwaites
Instructor
Chloe’s passion for inspiring young people in the outdoors started back in 2016, when she became a Forest School Leader and helped shape a dedicated Forest School area in her local SEN School.
Since then she’s become a Mountain Leader and Rock Climbing Instructor, leading expeditions across the UK and worldwide.
What drew her to Outspark was the team’s young-person led spirit, keeping their needs and abilities at the heart of the experiences we create together.
She’s now led over 100 expeditions with young people, and loves the transformations witnessed in all those who take part in the Duke of Edinburgh Awards.
Tom Weaver
Instructor
The Outdoors holds a very special place in Tom’s heart. Coming from a Scouting family, his first camp was when he was 6 weeks old!
Spending a lot of his youth exploring the Brecon Beacons with his family each year and following through with his Scouting journey, gaining his Queen’s Scout Award; the highest achievement a young person in Scouting can attain.
Tom has experience in many outdoor activities such as archery, climbing, air rifle shooting and paddle-sports, having previously been the Centre Manager for an Outdoor Centre in Portsmouth.
As well as coaching Archery at his club, he regularly takes part in Field and 3D Archery competitions across the country, shooting the English Longbow.
Tom has been running the Duke of Edinburgh award scheme for the last 10 years with his Explorer Scout Unit in West Sussex, imparting many of the skills he gained through his own life experiences, having conducted his own Gold expedition in the highlands of Scotland - Canoeing the Great Glen Way.
Tom has been with Outspark for over a year and is enjoying every second of it. There is never a dull moment that dampens his smile and he is always on hand with a quick quip or terrible dad joke.
Laura Dunnell
Instructor
Laura discovered her passion for the outdoors, and especially walking & navigation, whilst undertaking her Bronze, Silver and Gold Duke of Edinburgh Awards at school. After undertaking her Gold residential in the Lake District carrying out path maintenance work, she decided to study for a degree in Conservation and the Environment. She then worked for a local council managing their Public Rights of Way network and countryside sites before moving full time into the management of Public Rights of Way.
Having gained so much herself from undertaking the Duke of Edinburgh Awards she volunteered with the Award at a number of schools in Essex with the desire to pass on her love of hiking and getting outdoors as well as to inspire young people to consider a career in the outdoors and the natural environment.
In her spare time she enjoys hiking in the Lake District, Scotland or Wales, playing in a local wind orchestra, gardening on her veg patch and snowboarding.
Laura has worked at Outspark as an Instructor for a number of years before becoming one of their Expedition Leaders. She enjoys working for Outspark as it feels like one big supportive family where everyone has the same ethos.
Martin Brooke
Instructor
Martin started his love of the outdoors with his grandfather. As a young man he visited the Lake District with his Dad and climbed his first mountain - the Old Man of Coniston - at a young age.
This led him to completing his Bronze and Silver DofE Award, and becoming the first person in his school to achieve the Gold Award
After leaving school he worked as an apprentice at an Outdoor Centre in Mid Wales where he gained valuable experience in Climbing, Kayaking, Archery and Gorge Walking.
Martin started his Outspark career whilst he was working for Bucks County Council as a DofE Completion Officer. Utilising his Mountain Leader Award, he was able to support young people to complete their award and achieve their goals.
Martin has been with Outspark for over 11 years. He has worked with thousands of young people both as an Instructor and Expedition Leader. Martin enjoys working with Outspark as they place the young people at the forefront of everything they do, enabling the participants to work and learn at their own pace.
Martin has over 30 years experience in the outdoor education industry and can be found enjoying himself with his family, which now includes his new rescue dog ‘Poleng’ out in the countryside all over the UK.
FAQ’s
Due to our bespoke DofE expedition offer, it’s probably best to send us an email and have a chat. But if time is tight and you need some answers sharpish, then why not have a look below at our “frequently asked questions”? These have been compiled from school staff, parents and EVC’s. Maybe they can help. And if they can’t, then please get in touch.
