Great Torrington Junior School

We have negotiated with Bridgwater College for them to provide both Level 1 and Level 3 Forest School training on our site in the autumn term 2009.

Level 1 Foundation Course (3 days) November 30th to December 2nd 2009

Who is the course for?

If you are interested in running Forest School activities in your home, playground, garden or school field with children aged 3-10 years this course is the ideal starting point.

What will I study on the course?

You will learn to plan appropriate activities and experiences aimed to promote self-esteem, learning and development. You will learn to plan these activities within the constraints of the setting, taking into account the safety issues and the needs of peers, children, carers and staff.

You will learn a wide range of practical skills. These will include the safe use of tools, basic construction of structures, basic knots and lashings, types and construction of fires and conservation issues.

Level 3 Advanced Award Forest School Leaders - Intensive - (5 Days) September 21st to September 25th 2009

Who is the course for?

If you are interested in setting up and running a Forest School, or delivering Forest School sessions, where you will work with children, young adults or others in an outdoor environment.

This course is being offered as an intensive training option over 5 days + 2 residential tutorial days + a 1 day practical assessment. The outreach training course is for a minimum of 10 people and a maximum of 16 people, leading to the BTEC Advanced Award in Forest School Leadership.

After completing the above training days with the Forest School Team you will be required to complete further compulsory aspects of the course. These aspects are planning and implimenting Forest School sessions for a group of children or young people, completing and evaluate log of sessions, writing a report based on your findings, being practically assessed and creating a staff handbook. You will be given completion dates for each of these tasks. The total time commitment an average student is 9 - 12 months from the onset of training with us.

What will I study on the course?

You will learn to plan appropriate outdoor activities and experiences aimed to promote participants' learning and development. You will learn to plan these activities within the constraints of the setting, safety and the needs of participants, carers and staff. You will learn to use the resources and how to set and use evaluation criteria including monitoring, observing and and recording. You will teach 6 sessions of 1.5 hours each with your chosen client group, keeping a logbook of activities and development.

To get an information pack, details of costs and an application form please contact Yvonne Riley on 01278 441365

Following the successful fund raising sponsored walk we have been able to provide on site a large tepee. This will accommodate a whole class of children and includes provision for a fire to keep everyone warm and to cook on. This particularly cold and wet autumn has illustrated jiust how needed this shelter has been. Our thanks have to go to both Karen and Tom Blease for following this project through from inception to completion. They even gave up time during their half term break to see how the tepee is erected. Our hope is that many cohorts of children will benefit from this wonderful resources and that it will help them see their Forest School sessions as something quite unique in their journey as learners.

Due to heavy demand the course entitled "Using the outdoor environment with children" was run twice. The days, led by Jane Williams-Siegfredsen, from Inside-Out Nature (Denmark) were very successful with extremely positive evaluations from all participants. It was felt that Jane's inputs were stimulating, thought provoking and well delivered. The Danish theme was extended by Karli and Jenny from Cafe Central who researched Danish recipes to provide very appropriate food throughout the day. We are hopeful that we will be able to entice Jane back to Devon in the near future.

Jane "in the flow"	Participants were also worked outdoors.	Jenny setting out the Danish lunch.

Each class has taken part in a marathon sponsored walk during their Forest School sessions throughout September and the beginning of October. During this time every single path of Torrington Commons has been walked. The money is being raised to provide a teepee for use on the school grounds as a base for Forest School sessions when the weather is unpleasant.

At this moment in time the money raised is about £3000 (23/10/08)

Thank you to everyone who has supported this event. Your support has been magnificent.