who we are
JASON BUCKLEY, MANAGING DIRECTOR
Jason was very active in the Scout movement as a teenager, and came back to outdoor education as the DofE Award Leader at Sutton Grammar School while teaching English. Over the last 11 years, first as a volunteer and later through Outspark, he has led over 150 expeditions and seen hundreds of pupils through the section.
Jason has a variety of other roles in education. As The Philosophy Man, he works with thousands of teachers and children each year as a trainer, keynote speaker, facilitator and storyteller. Over 17,000 teachers receive his weekly bulletin of resources, sharing stories and activities that fuse together elements of philosophy for children, outdoor education, public speaking and improv. He is also Director of Studies at GIFT Courses LLP, Europe’s leading provider of residential for gifted children, and a director of The P4C Cooperative, the leading website for resources for philosophy for children.
Jason is usually the host for our multi-activity trips, using his wide experience of education to create memorable personal development experiences for participants. He also helps maintain Outspark’s distinctive ethos across all staff and expeditions. He lives on a narrowboat and is a keen caver.
Contact Jason: jason@outspark.co.uk
ALEX BRYANT, OPERATIONS MANAGER
Alex has been working in the Outdoor Industry for 15 years.
Throughout that time he has taken on a number of different roles and responsibilities in the charity and education sectors including general instructing and freelance instructing, running an Outdoor Education/DofE department in a private independent school and operationally managing a charity run 180 bed residential outdoor activity centre.
He is passionate about the Outdoors and spends most of his spare time on an adventure or planning one. Alex enjoys getting away in his camper van to the mountains with his wife and dog.
Contact Alex: alex@outspark.co.uk
JENNY CUISCK, DEPUTY OPERATIONS MANAGER
Jenny’s passion for the outdoors began at school, completing her Bronze, Silver and Gold Duke of Edinburgh's Awards.
She worked in Primary schools for 14 years developing a love for education and learning. Alongside teaching, she spent her spare time volunteering with local D of E groups and gaining outdoor activity qualifications.
During her teaching career Jenny was a SENCO, deputy head and teacher governor but she decided to move into outdoor education 8 years ago.
Combining her passion for the outdoors and love of learning, Jenny became an outdoor instructor taking groups on activities such as climbing, abseiling, caving, team building, archery and mountain biking.
Working at outdoor education centres in Somerset and Wales and having spent some time working for the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award charity, she has worked with a wide range of groups supporting and encouraging them out of their comfort zones and helping them to push their limits.
Jenny loves sharing her knowledge and drive with others and watching young people grow and develop in the outdoor environment. Jenny enjoys adventures in her camper van with her partner and rescue dog. She also loves crafts and can often be found knitting or crocheting on a mountain or beside a river in Wales where she lives.
MARTIN BROOKE, FACILITATOR
Martin has worked in the outdoor adventure industry for 28 years and delivers the Duke of Edinburgh Award, activity days at schools and residential experiences for Outspark.
His journey in the outdoors began at the age of 7, when his Dad and Grandad walked with him up the Old Man of Coniston in the Lake District. A few years later (and many mountains) later, Martin completed his Bronze, Silver and Gold D of E Award with his school. This cemented his passion for being in the outdoors and was the start of his career.
Martin enjoys cycling and running, and has qualifications to run kayaking, power-boating, archery, mountaineering and orienteering.
