Ben Parker (right) receiving his award at Perse School from Haydyn Tanner, YET Chair
The Stephenson Award is named after Alfred Stephenson, who was the first Chairman of the YET Expedition Screening Panel and a great believer in the value of youth expeditions. He was a noted polar explorer and a member of the highly successful British Graham Land Expedition 1935–1937 (now called the Antarctic Peninsula). He was also secretary of the Antarctic Club for over 40 years.
In March, the Young Explorers Trust presented three Stephenson Awards to highly-deserving people.
Stephenson Award 2024: Ben Parker, Perse School
Ben is an experienced and well-qualified outdoor adventurer both in the mountains and on water. He has taken these skills into education, where he has continued to develop not only his own levels and standards of performance but also those of many young people and fellow staff. Ben is Head of Outdoor Pursuits & Expeditions at The Perse School.
Ben is a Cambridge graduate (Geography 2011) and on joining The Perse School soon became an active member of staff on their overseas expeditions, being a leader of both the Swedish canoe ventures and those to the far mountains, as well as training activities in the UK.
When the then leader of outdoor activities left the school Ben took on the role enthusiastically and rapidly expanded the department. He developed a whole school progressive approach to a wide variety of high-quality experiences that are appropriate to each age group and engendered a sense of development framed in the collective body of Perse Exploration Society (PES).
The PES structure is designed to build challenge step by step with all pupils trying outdoor pursuits as part of the timetabled curriculum starting in Year 7 with “Base Camp” sessions.
Many students choose to continue exploring the great outdoors by joining “Ascent Group” in Year 8 and progress through to “Summit 12 “by the 6th Form.
During their adventure journeys, students learn bushcraft, canoeing and mountaineering skills, along with how to work effectively in a team, and a range of valuable personal skills. These ventures both in and close to the UK, as well as to some of the more remote places on earth (e.g. Himalayas, Andes) are a highlight of pupils’ school careers and a source of lifelong memories. Alongside these open trips for those who simply want a one-off experience of outdoor adventure, for those students who wish to get more deeply involved, PES offers societies that involves a commitment to weekly training sessions, weekends away and expeditions. These activities provide opportunities for the students to develop higher skill levels and extend their interest and enthusiasm.
Clearly Ben has been unable to do this alone and he has encouraged the school to develop a full-time outdoor pursuits staff based in a dedicated centre at the Upper School, allowing them to also run specialised clubs for archery, climbing, paddle sports, woodcraft, and well-established schemes such as Scouts and the Duke of Edinburgh Awards at Gold and Silver level. All Perse School ventures are planned in accordance with the Perse School Venture Policy and British Standard BS8848:2014 regulations (evaluated by YET). The school has its own AALA licence.
As well as the on-site Outdoor Pursuits Centre Ben has most recently been involved in developing a climbing wall at the school. Teaching staff in other departments are encouraged and supported through Perse Outdoor Pursuits department to develop their own skill levels and qualifications, thereby creating a wider pool of people who can take part in ventures as part of the leadership teams. Such is the enthusiasm and success of PES that many parents also take part in assisting with off-site activities, supervised by appropriate qualified staff, as well as equally having opportunities to develop their own skill level, experience and if they wish qualifications.
Ben has really developed a life-long range of outdoor learning experiences that encompass all engaged with the Perse School and he is an outstanding ambassador for the value participation in adventurous activities and expeditions bring to education and personal development.