“There is nothing noble in being superior to your fellow human; true nobility is being superior to your former self.” – Ernest Hemingway
Why Learning & Development?
TEAM DEVELOPMENT – We coach teams to identify their greatest strengths and their areas of development, leaving with a clear action plan.
LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT – We empower people to identify their own leadership style and, with a combination of grounded theory and practical experience, put it to the test.
EARLY CAREERS – We aid the transition into the working world and help apprentices and graduates to identify their areas of most needed development.
TEACHER CPD – We believe all kids should benefit from experiential learning, and we aim to extend our charity’s reach by upskilling new and existing teachers with the tools to deliver in their school.
TEAM FUN DAYS – Bowles Rocks offers a fantastic range of engaging activities from problem solving challenges to high ropes and more. Ideal for a team looking to step away from work and re-connect.
Why Bowles Rocks?
OUR EXPERTISE – We have over 30 years’ experience of designing and facilitating award winning Learning & Development programmes.
OUR CHARITY – Any profit generated from our programmes gets donated to our charity, The Bowles Rocks Trust, providing outdoor experiences for young people.
FACILITY HIRE – Bowles Rocks has meeting room spaces available in our idyllic setting in the East Sussex countryside. All catering needs can be met by our wonderful team.
What does Team Development involve?
AIMS
Our outcome-driven Team Development programmes are designed to help staff identify the impact their approach has within their team, and see the value of a shared approach to work.
THEORY
These are chosen in accordance with your teams goals, be it communication, feedback culture, siloed working, change management etc.
ACTIVITIES
A mix of active problem solving, designed to replicate the challenges of work, combined with some heights based activities is best to create a shared experience amongst the team. All are selected in line with the desired learning.
What does Leadership Development involve?
AIMS
Our programmes empower the participants to find their own authentic style of leadership. They will leave with a clear plan of what they need to develop back at work.
THEORY
We draw on many relevant models. This may be around conflict management, delegation, coaching, imposter syndrome, and many more.
ACTIVITIES
Leaders will each have the chance to lead a task, be it problem solving or ropes based. This presents the opportunity to put their leadership into practice and receive feedback from their peers.
What do your apprentices & graduates get?
AIMS
We aim to help participants develop the skills and self awareness to progress their careers as they enter the world of work.
THEORY
Common themes that our clients request are often around resilience, body language, timekeeping, workload, self awareness, and communication.
ACTIVITIES
Problem solving challenges give the cohort the chance to see one another in action, highlight the strengths they offer, and become more aware of their development areas.
What does Teacher CPD include?
A TASTE OF EXPERIENTIAL
We take teachers through the activities their pupils will experience on residential trips. This allows discussion around the challenges the pupils will face, and what help they can provide.
ACTIVITIES FOR SCHOOL
Our comprehensive catalogue of activity sessions can be taken away and replicated at school. Most common requests cover teamwork and orienteering. All are designed to be replicated with minimal kit.
THEORY
We can cover growth mindset, student centred learning, framing sessions, active reviews, coaching and more. We also run team events for faculties looking to review how they work together.
What does a Team Fun Day include?
LOCATION
Our rural setting in the East Sussex countryside is ideal for teams looking to re-connect away from the work setting. Contact our team for transport links.
ACTIVITIES
From competitive fun with archery and active problem solving, to climbing on our sandstone crag and high ropes courses, Bowles Rocks has everything your team needs to forge memories together.
CATERING
Our onsite catering team can provide a high quality lunch and refreshments throughout the day. We can account for all dietary needs.
Sample programme – 1 day visit
08.30 – 09.00: Arrival with tea, coffee, and pastries.
09.00: Introduction to aims of the day.
09.30 – 12.30: Morning of outdoor problem solving activities with a mid-morning tea break. All activities are accompanied by facilitated debriefs and feedback.
12.30 – 13.15: Hot lunch cooked by our onsite chefs.
13.15 – 16.30: Afternoon of outoor problem solving and heights based activities. All activities are accompanied by facilitated debriefs and feedback.
16.30 – 17.00: Final wrap up of the days learning & establishing and development goals to take back to work.
17.00: Departure.
Sample programme – 2 day residential visit
DAY 1
08.30 – 09.00: Arrival with tea, coffee, and pastries.
09.00: Introduction to aims of the day.
09.30 – 12.30: Morning of outdoor problem solving activities with a mid-morning tea break. All activities are accompanied by facilitated debriefs and feedback.
12.30 – 13.15: Hot lunch cooked by our onsite chefs.
13.15 – 17.00: Afternoon of outdoor problem solving and heights based activities with a mid afternoon tea break. All activities are accompanied by facilitated debriefs and feedback.
17.00: Downtime.
18.30: Dinner.
19.00: Evening session.
20.30: Bar opens.
DAY 2
08.15: Cooked breakfast.
09.00: Recap of learning from day 1.
09.30 – 12.30: Morning of outdoor problem solving activities with a mid-morning tea break. All activities are accompanied by facilitated debriefs and feedback.
12.30 – 13.15: Hot lunch cooked by our onsite chefs.
13.15 – 16.00: Final outdoor problem solving and heights based activities. All activities are accompanied by facilitated debriefs and feedback.
16.00 – 16.30: Final indoor sessions either to establish personal SMART goals to be taken back to work, or peer to peer facilitated feedback.
16.30: Wrap-up.
Meet the Bowles team
Jonathan Handcock – Head of L&D
“This role and playing a part in the development of others is an immense privilege. The development of individuals has positive impact on their team, their organisations and in turn their clients. It is something which means I never have that ‘Monday morning feeling’. At Bowles no two days are ever alike. Every group we are privileged to support comes with a totally different dynamic and a different set of workplace requirements”
With over 30 years in People Development roles, Jonathan is a CIPD Associate and NLP Practitioner. Other credentials include being a Belbin Accredited Practitioner, licensed to deliver Myers Briggs, Fundamentals in Organisation and Relationship Systems Coaching and a Mental Health First Aider. This is in addition to the hard skill qualifications required to work in an outdoor environment.
Minelle Rogers – L&D Facilitator
“I like nothing better than bearing witness to a light bulb moment, that instance of self-discovery, whether part of a problem-solving activity, a classroom exercise or during a coaching session is very rewarding and I feel enormously privileged to be able to do this for my work.“
Having run operations at significant heritage sites, Min has lead teams of staff and volunteers in both the day-to-day activities and during events and major projects. She brings her experience of leadership to her work as a facilitator and cares deeply about helping others work effectively and sustainably. She is empathic and intuitive and is prepared to challenge if necessary. Min has a post graduate certificate in career coaching from Birkbeck University and a CIPD level 5 qualification in Learning and Development Management.
Ewan Henesy – L&D Facilitator / Senior Instructor
“A quote from Viktor E. Frankl often sits in my mind: “Between stimulus and response there is a space. In that space is our power to choose our response. In our response lies our growth and our freedom.“ It is that growth and freedom I pursue in my own life, and feel privileged to help those who come to us in finding for themselves.”
Ewan is an NLP Practitioner, Mountain Leader, and BELBIN Team Roles Accredited. His drive to help people find how they might be happier in their work and life, can be seen in his enthusiastic and energetic delivery. Ewan’s years of experience as a Television Post Producer bring a unique personal perspective of high pressure work environments. He is a firm believer in the the big “light bulb moments” as well as the power found in the small conversations over a cup of tea.
ACCOMODATION & CATERING
Our lodge has 16 en suite bedrooms which can accommodate single occupancy or twin.
Our chefs onsite provide high quality catering and can accommodate all dietary requirements.
Feel free to contact us for a sample menu.
What our clients say
“If you want heart, soul, and true facilitation then choose Bowles.” – Head of Learning & Development – Berkeley Group
“It totally blows my mind. It all links to the workplace.” – Leadership Delegate – BMW
“The results exceeded my expectations, leaving us with a clear plan.” – Operations – LEGAL & GENERAL
“I noticed such a difference in the team. A fantastic experience!” – Early Professional Development Manager – IBM UK LABS
“A great way to bring our values to life.” – Learning & Development – LONDON GATWICK
