School workshops
School Workshops
Southern Reach
Al regularly runs workshops for school pupils of all ages. Having worked over the past 9 years in the education sector, he thoroughly enjoys sharing his experiences of survival in extreme cold temperatures. He describes how his team survived in tents on Antarctica for 7 weeks while skiing unsupported the 600 nautical miles to the Geographic South Pole. He makes many comparisons of the extreme differences between his team and that of Sir Ernest Shackleton and Sir Robert Falcon Scott. He concludes his presentation by reliving the effects that frostbite had on him and the mental resilience he displayed to recover, to once again lead by example.
In addition, Al displays the actual gear he wore during his mammoth journey across Antarctica and provides the opportunity for someone to dress up as an explorer, providing some priceless photo opportunities.
Each workshop is concluded with a no holds barred question and answer session, putting Al on the spot to any lateral question that the pupils may ask.
Curriculum subjects: History, Geography, English and Science
Everest Base camp
Having had the privilege of visiting Nepal 4 times, AI shares his literally breath taking experiences of trekking in the Himalaya's. His presentation takes you on a journey of the training and preparation required and delivers you an opening to this majestic world of Nepal. While describing the physical and mental emotions of trekking, the photos he shares almost place you within the world’s highest mountains, while encapsulating Nepal’s beautiful culture and people. One quote that captures this country perfectly is, “The Himalaya's will bring tears to your eyes, then will gently freeze them to your face". His presentation includes comparisons of historic and modern day Everest equipment and tales including Mallory/Irving and Hillary/Tenzing of who did summit first?
Al concludes the presentation with displaying the actual equipment modern day climbers use and provides the opportunity for someone to dress up as an mountaineer, providing some priceless photo opportunities.
Each workshop is concluded with a no holds barred question and answer session, putting Al on the spot to any lateral question that the pupils may ask.
Curriculum subjects: History and Geography
Mountain Rescue
Another popular activity is Al sharing his experience of 2 decades within the RAF Mountain Rescue Service. He provides an in depth presentation describing the history and the duties of one of the RAF's only 24/7 all weather emergency service. He shares the tales of some of his epic rescues and how with the assistance of civilian teams, Search and Rescue Dog Association and rescue helicopters, the RAF teams have pulled off some amazing rescues over its 80 years existence.
Each workshop is concluded with a no holds barred question and answer session, putting Al on the spot to any lateral question that the pupils may ask.
Curriculum subjects: History and Science
Reliving your account
Having published 3 books, “Peaks to the Pole” (Al's account of the expedition to the South Pole), “Walk to Freedom” (Land’s End to John O’ Groats) and “Everest Dreams” (a photographic diary account of Al's teams’ trek into Mount Everest base camp) Al's created an interactive presentation which covers the process of conception to execution, the personal and commercial challenges, and the ultimate reward of writing your own book.
Curriculum subjects: Literacy and Art.
The final push
To conclude AI collates all of his experiences from his years in the RAF, expeditions around the world and work within the educational sector to compare what he's achieved in comparison to what the pupils are experiencing with their attitude to education and their final approach to taking exams. Again this workshop is concluded with a no holds barred question and answer session, putting Al on the spot to any lateral question that the pupils may ask.
The testimonials received reflect the success Al has achieved with the examples presented from his own personal story.
