Launceston ARB Students Hit Dartmoor Ahead of Tough Jubilee Trek

What does it take to prepare a group of young people for a 15-mile trek across one of the most unforgiving landscapes in the South West? For students at Launceston College, it starts with boots on the ground and the right kit on their backs.

Training on the moor

Students from the Alternative Resource Base (ARB) at Launceston College, part of Athena Learning Trust, have been out on Dartmoor for a training session ahead of the upcoming Jubilee Challenge. The session was designed to build their skills, confidence and resilience before the main event.

The Jubilee Challenge is a one-day trekking expedition on northern Dartmoor covering between 7.5 and 15 miles. It is specially designed for young people with special educational, physical, or neurological needs.

The rugged conditions gave the group a real-world test of teamwork and perseverance, helping them prepare for what lies ahead.

Kitted out by the Dartmoor Preservation Association

A grant from the Dartmoor Preservation Association has fully equipped the students with the outdoor gear they need to face whatever Dartmoor throws at them. The kit will keep them warm and comfortable across all weather conditions, letting them focus on the challenge and their personal development rather than the elements.

Staff praised the students for their determination and positive attitude during the training, pointing to their enthusiasm and willingness to take on something new.

“Confidence, resilience and a real sense of achievement”

Matthew Thompson, Principal of Launceston College, said: “We are incredibly proud of our ARB students and the commitment they have shown in preparing for the Jubilee Challenge. The support from the Dartmoor Preservation Association has been invaluable in ensuring our students are equipped and ready for the conditions they will face. Experiences like this build confidence, resilience and a real sense of achievement.”

The school has thanked the Dartmoor Preservation Association for its ongoing support.

📷Students with Matthew Thompson