Ten Tors
2020/2021 Information
Due to the situation with Covid 19 we have cancelled the training for November and we will wait for further Government announcements before deciding the training schedule for December and the New Year.
The parents meeting on 4th November is also cancelled. A new on line meeting will be arranged after 2nd December.
Please see the announcement from the Army 8.3.21:
Please see below a statement from the Director Ten Tors, Colonel Neville Holmes MBE:
It is with regret that I have to announce it is no longer possible to hold a physical Ten Tors event on Dartmoor this May. As you know, we have been working closely with the local authorities and Ten Tors Policy Committee to plan a safe and enjoyable event but the restrictions that will still be in place over that period mean this is no longer possible. I know this will be a huge disappointment to many however, given that safety is always our number one priority, I hope you understand. We are planning to enable a virtual event which teams may wish to conduct closer to home during 2021 to keep the Ten Tors ‘flame alive’ and if so, please look out for more details to follow shortly. I can also confirm plans are already well underway to run a full Ten Tors event in May 2022 and look forward to seeing you all then. In the meantime, I would like to take this opportunity to thank you all for your forbearance and to hope you and your families stay safe and well.
The official Ten Tors web site can be accessed at
https://www.tentors.org.uk/
The parents meeting on 4th November is also cancelled. A new on line meeting will be arranged after 2nd December.
Please see the announcement from the Army 8.3.21:
Please see below a statement from the Director Ten Tors, Colonel Neville Holmes MBE:
It is with regret that I have to announce it is no longer possible to hold a physical Ten Tors event on Dartmoor this May. As you know, we have been working closely with the local authorities and Ten Tors Policy Committee to plan a safe and enjoyable event but the restrictions that will still be in place over that period mean this is no longer possible. I know this will be a huge disappointment to many however, given that safety is always our number one priority, I hope you understand. We are planning to enable a virtual event which teams may wish to conduct closer to home during 2021 to keep the Ten Tors ‘flame alive’ and if so, please look out for more details to follow shortly. I can also confirm plans are already well underway to run a full Ten Tors event in May 2022 and look forward to seeing you all then. In the meantime, I would like to take this opportunity to thank you all for your forbearance and to hope you and your families stay safe and well.
The official Ten Tors web site can be accessed at
https://www.tentors.org.uk/
Training Dates 2021
Dates for training are as follows:
Please note whereas we try not to change any dates, weather conditions and staff availability may mean some dates could change.
Coming soon
Dates (subject to change if necessary due to staffing or weather)
Information and Letters for Parents
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DISCOUNT REMINDERS: Remember discount letters for Cotswold from Mrs Clark (Student Support) and other discounts can be found on the Ten Tors Website - link below:
http://www.tentors.org.uk/services/partners
http://www.tentors.org.uk/services/partners
Ten Tors 2020/2021 Updates
February 2021
Ten Tors 2021 update
There is going to be a one day event and we have a team available for year 10 students.
Parents and students of those students who have previously walked with us have received an email today asking that you contact to confirm that you wish to continue training.
We are excited that Ten Tors can go ahead this year, albeit in a different form and look forward to receiving replies.
January 2021
Update 22nd January 2021
We are keeping families informed via email of the latest updates from the Army regarding Ten Tors 2021. However, these are also available on the website https://www.tentors.org.uk/
The adults who organise Ten Tors at Sidmouth College are committed to entering a team should an event take place, always, of course, depending upon Government and Devon County Council guidance and provided we can take student to Dartmoor to train before the event.
Thank you.
www.tentors.org.uk/
Please see the notice from the Army at the above link dated 13th January 2021. Sidmouth College is still committed to offering training for an event, should one be able to take place in May 2021. Updates will be sent via email on posted on this link.
October 2020
There has been a huge uptake of students in year 9 who would have wanted to walk on the training walk on Sunday 18th October, and thank you to students and parents/carers for support with this and getting forms back to us. Unfortunately, as described in the letter sent to those year 9 parents and students today, we are unable to take year 9 students with us on Sunday 18th October. We are reviewing our staffing and plans for training and I am sure students and parents/carers will understand that some things are beyond our control as we need to make sure we follow Covid 19 guidelines and because we rely upon volunteers for the Ten Tors Training.
We very much hope that our year 9s will be able to join us in the future.
Year 10 students who have signed up need to follow the instructions given to them for the walk on Sunday.
Ten Tors 2021 update
There is going to be a one day event and we have a team available for year 10 students.
Parents and students of those students who have previously walked with us have received an email today asking that you contact to confirm that you wish to continue training.
We are excited that Ten Tors can go ahead this year, albeit in a different form and look forward to receiving replies.
January 2021
Update 22nd January 2021
We are keeping families informed via email of the latest updates from the Army regarding Ten Tors 2021. However, these are also available on the website https://www.tentors.org.uk/
The adults who organise Ten Tors at Sidmouth College are committed to entering a team should an event take place, always, of course, depending upon Government and Devon County Council guidance and provided we can take student to Dartmoor to train before the event.
Thank you.
www.tentors.org.uk/
Please see the notice from the Army at the above link dated 13th January 2021. Sidmouth College is still committed to offering training for an event, should one be able to take place in May 2021. Updates will be sent via email on posted on this link.
October 2020
There has been a huge uptake of students in year 9 who would have wanted to walk on the training walk on Sunday 18th October, and thank you to students and parents/carers for support with this and getting forms back to us. Unfortunately, as described in the letter sent to those year 9 parents and students today, we are unable to take year 9 students with us on Sunday 18th October. We are reviewing our staffing and plans for training and I am sure students and parents/carers will understand that some things are beyond our control as we need to make sure we follow Covid 19 guidelines and because we rely upon volunteers for the Ten Tors Training.
We very much hope that our year 9s will be able to join us in the future.
Year 10 students who have signed up need to follow the instructions given to them for the walk on Sunday.
What is the Ten Tors Challenge?
The annual Ten Tors Challenge was first conceived in the late 50s by three army officers and takes place on the rugged terrain of Dartmoor. It is organised and run by the British Army and provides a test of endurance, navigation, teamwork, leadership and survival skills for 2400 young people between the ages of 14 and 19 years.
Over the course of two days (34 hours), teams of six are required to negotiate and navigate their way around one of 26 designated routes across Dartmoor, with checkpoints at 10 nominated Tors. The course of the route is not made public until 10am on the day before they set off.
Depending on their age, teams cover distances of either 35 miles (14-15 years old), 45 miles (16-17 years old), or 55 miles (17-19years old) with the added challenge of having to carry with them all of their kit - including food, clothing, tents, sleeping bags, stoves, fuel, navigation equipment, maps, emergency rations and a first aid kit – weighing in at approximately 25kg!
There is also the added dimension of the weather to contend with. Despite being held in May every year, the weather can be variable. Some years have seen unprecedented torrential rain, sleet and even snow, whereas other years (such as 2011 when 13 teams dropped out) have seen participants struggle with heat exhaustion. Safety of all participants, however, is paramount. All teams have their equipment thoroughly checked the day before the event in a process known as ‘scrutineering’. In addition, the organisers have been known to call the event off as a result of adverse weather conditions.
Nevertheless, it goes without saying, Ten Tors is not an event that students can just pitch up and take part in on the day. Completing the challenge takes determination, teamwork, fitness and months of training; only those students who meet the mark are selected as team members.
Over the course of two days (34 hours), teams of six are required to negotiate and navigate their way around one of 26 designated routes across Dartmoor, with checkpoints at 10 nominated Tors. The course of the route is not made public until 10am on the day before they set off.
Depending on their age, teams cover distances of either 35 miles (14-15 years old), 45 miles (16-17 years old), or 55 miles (17-19years old) with the added challenge of having to carry with them all of their kit - including food, clothing, tents, sleeping bags, stoves, fuel, navigation equipment, maps, emergency rations and a first aid kit – weighing in at approximately 25kg!
There is also the added dimension of the weather to contend with. Despite being held in May every year, the weather can be variable. Some years have seen unprecedented torrential rain, sleet and even snow, whereas other years (such as 2011 when 13 teams dropped out) have seen participants struggle with heat exhaustion. Safety of all participants, however, is paramount. All teams have their equipment thoroughly checked the day before the event in a process known as ‘scrutineering’. In addition, the organisers have been known to call the event off as a result of adverse weather conditions.
Nevertheless, it goes without saying, Ten Tors is not an event that students can just pitch up and take part in on the day. Completing the challenge takes determination, teamwork, fitness and months of training; only those students who meet the mark are selected as team members.
Who Can Take Part?
Any student in Year 9 or above can get involved and should speak to Inclusion Manager Mrs Carole Clark in the first instance. Even those who are not selected to take part in the final challenge will benefit from taking part in the Ten Tors training programme. Students learn new skills, improve fitness levels and have lots of fun along the way. In addition, the College can help with the provision of some of the required equipment. Students must be prepared to attend the training walks, attend the weekly meetings, attend training sessions, be physically fit and be a good team member.
You can find out more information about the Ten Tors challenge on the official Ten Tors Website.
Any parents/friends of the College who would like to join us on the walks should please contact Mrs C Clark at the College, ext 260.
You can find out more information about the Ten Tors challenge on the official Ten Tors Website.
Any parents/friends of the College who would like to join us on the walks should please contact Mrs C Clark at the College, ext 260.
