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University of Bedfordshire
Park Square
Luton
Bedfordshire
UK, LU1 3JU
Senior Lecturer and Programme Leader BA (Hons) Sport & Adventure Recreation
I have been accused of being evangelical regarding adventure education, an accusation I find it difficult to defend myself against. Throughout my career in education I have remained convinced of the value of involving young people in adventurous activities to enhance their personal growth.
After teaching in a number of schools I joined what was then Bedford College of Higher Education to help give young PE teachers the skills and understanding to promote Outdoor and Adventurous Activities in schools.
That was over twenty years ago and in the subsequent time I have endeavoured to provide material and inspiration to trainee teachers to ensure that they can deliver meaningful and safe learning experiences to their pupils. The development of the use of non traditional adventure activities has been an important feature of this work, encouraging the use of school grounds and local venues to create accessible learning opportunities.
Alongside the training of physical educators I have been instrumental in developing and managing an undergraduate programme that involves the study of adventure itself, in a broader context. The present course, Sport & Adventure Recreation, continues to offer students the opportunity to study this interesting area and to develop an informed active participant’s perspective on many of the contemporary issues that concern those who recreate or educate in adventurous settings.
My professional interest in adventure is reflected in my personal involvement in a variety of activities on both land and water and I have been fortunate to walk, climb, ski, paddle, windsurf and sail in some great places. I spend a good deal of time my sailing; and have crossed the Atlantic (via Greenland) cruised in the Pacific as well as on waters closer to home. I race dinghies and also coach children and adults at a local sailing club.
My teaching responsibilities on the Sport and Adventure Recreation programme are in the main in the applied practical field where students are encouraged to apply theoretical concepts to the practical experiences that I provide for them. This involves me in mountaincraft, paddlesport and sailing activities both locally and throughout the UK and in student expeditions throughout Europe.
I also continue to train PE teachers and lead modules which further their understanding of, and expertise, in O&AA.
Along with the development of alternative approaches to adventure in the school context, I am also interested in identifying and overcoming barriers to school O&AA provision as well as developing tools to facilitate reflection on experiential learning.
I am involved with a number of adventure providers in the area and have ongoing projects with a wide variety of organisations in the adventure education community. I consult with local upper and middle schools as well as the LEA and its local outdoor centre, along with groups in the voluntary sector, for example the scouting movement and BTCV. I also have strong links with local outdoor activity clubs, being particularly involved with the management of Priory Sailing Club, a Volvo Champion and RYA On Board club.
T: +44 (0)1234 793340
E: tim.hewett@beds.ac.uk
