Welcome to Gwent Outdoor Centres
Welcome to 2012
Thornwell Primary School March 2012
" The children want to live here ! "
This website contains details of the accommodation and courses provided at our three centres: Talybont, Gilwern and Hilston Park.
Gwent Outdoor Education Service is a joint service supported by Blaenau Gwent, Monmouthshire, Newport and Torfaen Local Authorities.
The service has existed since the early 1970’s and operates three residential centres at Hilston Park, Gilwern and Talybont. The service offers a broad range of outdoor activities in the SE Wales area. Most courses are residential of 3 to 5 days duration. Annually we deliver around 17,000 user days both residentially and as single day visits.
Who can use the service?
Although catering mainly for young people, the Service also offers opportunities and training for teachers and other adults in a variety of locations. These courses link directly to the Welsh Assembly Government (WAG) Guidance for Educational Visits launched in October 2008. The Guidance states that every school should have a named EVC and all leaders of educational visits should have appropriate training.
In addition to being located close to rivers, caves and mountains, the centres have many on site facilities including good standard accommodation, high ropes courses, indoor climbing and traversing wall, forest schools site, camping facilities, problem solving challenges and orienteering courses.
Course fees for young people from three of the four owning authorities are substantially subsidised providing excellent ‘value for money’. (Pupils entitled to Free School Meals are subsidised at a greater rate)
Our centres take a flexible and innovative approach to meeting your objectives so please contact them to discuss your needs.
Information for Newport Schools
As times change we are happy to change with them to adapt to the needs of our clients. If you have an need for a course then please get in touch !
Foundation & Key Stage I Day Visits
These days are proving very popular so book early to get your prefered dates
Remember we are not just a School service we offer quality Corporate training and Team Building days - link to Corporate Training pages
Thought about going Canoeing this summer ? - click Here
Links to Centres