Fairplay Outdoor Education Centre

Fairplay Outdoor Education Centre is just what its title suggests: it is a residential centre which is dedicated to providing programmes of outdoor education and outdoor pursuits.

It caters mainly to young people and offers programmes which support National Curriculum requirements in Outdoor Education, field studies to support GCSE and A level courses and outdoor activities including sailing, canoeing and orienteering.

The Fairplay Outdoor Education Centre is based on two sites: Fairplay House and The Barge Haybay.

Fairplay House

Fairplay House is a large, 1930s country house with two adjacent classroom facilities and located in Wickham Bishops in Essex.

The administration area is also based at Fairplay House.

The house will accommodate up to 60 young people in dormitory-type facilities and is set in extensive, immaculately landscaped gardens.

Within the gardens themselves are located an artificial climbing wall, an outdoor swimming pool, an obstacle course, an orienteering course, an archery range and volleyball courts. The climbing wall is of a unique construction having been built to resemble as closely as possible a natural outcrop of rock. It was, in fact, one of the first artificial climbing walls of this type to be built in Britain and has proved very popular with users of the centre. To enhance this facility, Fairplay has recently had funding agreed for a prototype 'underground experience' which will mimic conditions faced by cavers pursuing their sport and a high ropes course.

The Barge Haybay

The Barge Haybay is a converted Thames barge moored in the Heybridge Basin, Maldon, Essex. Although afloat on the tidal estuary, the barge is now used solely as static accommodation and teaching space. It provides access to sailing activities on the estuary and to shorelife studies. The barge provides accommodation for up to 32 people in 4 bedded cabin-type accommodation and has a fully equipped galley and teaching/recreational space.

Other Fairplay activities

Fairplay also rents a launching point for canoeing and kayaking expeditions in the river Chelmer and buys time from the local sailing club for use of its lake and facilities.

The centre leases a fleet of four minibuses to enable easy transportation of groups between locations.

All activities at Fairplay are run and supervised by highly skilled, trained and committed staff and it has an exemplary safety record. Where appropriate, staff are accredited to a high level by the national governing bodies of the activity they are offering (eg BUC, RYA).