In the eleven years that Jay Watts has led Outdoor Pursuits at Malvern College, the programme has grown into an award-winning showcase of adventure, challenge and character. What began as a small set of extracurricular activities is now one of the most distinctive and ambitious Outdoor Pursuits programmes in the UK – one that perfectly reflects Malvern’s holistic education of EQ + IQ + CQ, nurturing emotional intelligence, intellect and cultural awareness in every pupil.
Adventure as Education
Set within an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, Malvern’s location is more than just a backdrop – it’s an outdoor classroom. The Malvern Hills, rivers and lakes of the region provide the ideal environment for pupils to explore and push their limits. From hiking, mountain biking and climbing to kayaking, canoe polo and orienteering, every activity encourages pupils to step outside their comfort zones, test their resilience and discover what they’re truly capable of.
Under Jay’s guidance, Outdoor Pursuits at Malvern has become about far more than physical activity – it’s about building character through shared experience, developing teamwork, communication and empathy in real-world settings where problem-solving matters.
From Local Adventures to Global Expeditions
Malvern’s OP programme offers opportunities that few schools can match. Pupils can take part in every level of The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, as well as a rich calendar of challenges and expeditions designed to inspire and stretch them – physically, mentally and emotionally.
Some of the most remarkable undertakings have included:
- The Malvern to Paris Challenge: a multi-discipline expedition that saw pupils cycle, canoe and stand up paddleboard across the English Channel, making Malvern the only school ever to achieve this feat.
- Alps2Malvern: a 21-day Tour de France-style cycling and sailing expedition, testing endurance, leadership and logistics as pupils journeyed from the Alps back to Malvern.
- Costa Rica Coast-to-Coast: a breathtaking adventure through tropical rainforest, mountains and rivers, combining cycling, hiking and white-water rafting across Central America.
- Nordic 26: an upcoming expedition where pupils will sail in a Viking longboat, hike and sea kayak across the Baltic Sea from Denmark to Sweden, a symbolic journey of exploration, heritage and teamwork.
Closer to home, annual events like Hunted, Lost, Race the Sun and Ride 4 Refugees see pupils navigating, strategising and pushing themselves to the limit, all while raising thousands of pounds for charity. These events combine adventure with empathy, showing that success is not only about personal achievement, but also about community and compassion.
The Spirit of Outdoor Pursuits
Jay’s own journey has been as adventurous as the programmes he leads. After studying Outdoor Adventure, Leisure and Tourism, he travelled through New Zealand and Australia, where he discovered how the outdoors could shape not just strength and skill, but character and connection. Working in care homes in London, he used outdoor education to help vulnerable children find confidence and direction – an experience that cemented his belief that adventure transforms lives.
That belief is now central to Malvern’s ethos. OP at Malvern isn’t just about conquering peaks or completing expeditions; it’s about learning to communicate, to collaborate, to lead and to listen. Pupils learn that courage comes in many forms: from summiting a mountain to encouraging a teammate through a tough climb; from navigating white-water rapids to staying calm and adaptable in the face of the unknown.
Education Beyond the Classroom
Outdoor Pursuits is a living expression of Malvern’s commitment to developing the whole person. The challenges are real, the risks managed, the lessons lasting. Pupils leave Malvern with more than just a sense of adventure; they leave with humility, confidence, and the resilience to thrive wherever life takes them. As Jay says, “You can’t fake teamwork when you’re halfway up a mountain or leading a pack through white-water rapids. Outdoor Pursuits strips everything back – it reveals who you are and shows you who you can become.”
At Malvern College, that spirit of discovery is what makes Outdoor Pursuits not just an activity – but a way of life.
A New Academic Adventure – BTEC in Sport and Outdoor Activities
We are excited to announce that from September 2026, Malvern College will extend its Sixth Form curriculum with the introduction of the BTEC Level 3 National Diploma in Sport and Outdoor Activities.
Equivalent in size to two A levels, this dynamic qualification is designed for post-16 learners who want to combine their academic study with their passion for the outdoors. It develops practical expertise in leadership, instruction, expedition planning and personal performance, alongside essential knowledge in health, safety and professional practice.
BTEC Level 3 National Diploma in Sport and Outdoor Activities
