Beyond the door lies adventure and adventure requires courage, resilience and a touch of Yorkshire Grit. Our definition of a classroom extends beyond four walls, and beyond the classroom door.
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START YOURSchool life outside of the classroom
Award-wining and a Scarborough College staple, Yorkshire Grit is offered to every student in Years 7 to 9. Its rich blend of activities – designed to encourage resilience, team-building and leadership among many others – include sailing, surfing, public speaking and self-defence. Yorkshire Grit takes place every week and is integrated into the timetable.
Percentage of students in Years 7 – 9 participating
Continuing where Yorkshire Grit leaves students in Year 9, the DofE programme further develops skills, volunteering and adventurous exploration. The Bronze DofE is offered in Year 9, while students in Year 10 and 11 can complete their Silver. Sixth Formers can participate in the Gold award, which is the most challenging DofE programme.
Percentage of Year 9 students participating in 2024 and 2025
The youngest member of the Beyond the Door programme, surfing has long featured on the College calendar due to our unique location. Students enrolled in the Surf Academy can choose between two programmes. The first is designed for keen enthusiasts and beginners while the advanced programme exists for students wishing to compete, both nationally and internationally, and learn coaching skills.
Number of sessions per term on the Surf Academy
Many visits are standard items on the timetable and various departments offer the opportunity for day trips as well as longer excursions. These include trips in the UK as well as abroad. In addition, there are sports trips, and annual skiing and scuba diving trips, as well as the chance to travel during our end of year Activities Week. We partner several schools across the globe for student exchanges.
Number of College students on school exchanges in 2024 and 2025
Yorkshire Grit was first offered in 2016 to provide a varied and accessible character-building programme to the youngest students in the Senior School. The weekly off-timetable programme is designed to instill renowned Yorkshire traits such as resilience, courage, a can-do spirit and a sense of humour.
Students are challenged – and encouraged – to brave the icy cold waters of the North Sea as they start surfing lessons or rely on and develop their teambuilding skills as they build rafts together. Other activities, which are all offered as a carousel throughout the Academic Year, include martial arts, orienteering, rock climbing and even public speaking.
Another successful addition are integrated mindfulness lessons that feature yoga, stress-management and first aid lessons. By taking students out of their comfort zone, Yorkshire Grit develops confidence, teamwork, determination and – above all – lifelong friendships.
The DofE programme needs little explanation. Founded in 1956 by Prince Philip, this programme is globally recognised and encourages young people to challenge themselves, gain new skills and contribute to their communities.
Scarborough College is an official DofE centre and annually, around 80 children, or 20 percent of the Senior School participate in either the Bronze, Silver or Gold awards. The students who complete their Gold award have their names immortalised on the special DofE board in the Senior School.
Students typically complete four core sections, which are: volunteering, skills, physical and an expedition. The programme is designed to build resilience, teamwork, leadership, independence, and confidence, while also promoting physical and mental well-being. The College’s Yorkshire Grit programme provides a seamless transition to the requirements of the DofE programme.
Surfing has long been a staple on the College’s curriculum, as part of the Enrichment programme, a Yorkshire Grit activity or a boarding trip. The College’s location means we are a stone’s throw from some of the north’s best surfing spots.
The Surf Academy features two programmes. The Surf Club is designed for budding surfers as well as absolute beginners. This programme includes lessons on the Enrichment Programme, a changing robe and rash vest. Students should expect approximately 20 sessions per term, ten of which are wet sessions.
The Surf Academy programme is by invitation only and students must show their surfing ability. Students receive 40 sessions per term, split into theoretical and practical lessons on the Enrichment programme. Other training includes strength and conditioning and visits to the Wave or other wave pools.
For further information about the Surf Academy, take a look at our brochure.
Scarborough College offer opportunities to go on domestic and overseas trips. The Prep School Juniors are offered a number of overnight trips and most prominently among those are the Yorkshire Three Peaks Challenge in Year 6. Both students in the Senior School and Prep School children can participate in the ski trips.
During Activity Week, a number of options are available. While Year 7 departs for Lake District adventures, Year 8 delves into WWI history on their Battlefields Trip. The MFL Department invites their students on their trips to Spanish- or French-speaking destinations and there are active scuba-diving and DofE trips abroad.
The sports department runs a variety of sports tours for hockey, rugby and cricket. For all trips, a list is circulated three years in advance, which means parents can find out about the right trips and plan ahead.
