membership iconMembership - FOREST SCHOOLS Special Interest Group

Forest School UK National Governing Body Consultation

  • Re: Forming a National Governing Body for Forest School in the UK
    The IOL (Institute for Outdoor Learning) Forest School Special Interest Group (SIG) and the Forest School Trainers Network would appreciate it if you could take the time to complete and return an online survey.
  • The survey is a consultation questionnaire intended to gather feedback from the wider Forest School community about forming a National Governing Body for Forest School in the UK.  Forest school has grown considerably in the last 10 years, we estimate there are probably over 4000 people holding some sort of Forest School qualification.  With the growing outdoor learning agenda and different standards of Forest School delivery, the need for more funding for Forest School the SIG and Trainers Network have decided to explore establishing a National Governing Body that could act as an umbrella professional organisation for the UK Forest School community.
  • It is still in the early stages of development, however, we felt it important to consult early in the process on the aims/purposes of a National Governing Body so the wider Forest School community can input their thoughts.
  • Please note that this survey will close on Sunday 18th July 2010

Participate in this important survey HERE

A big success! FSSIG Conference 2010 - 'More Children in the Woods' - 5th June at the University of Worcester.

A report will appear here as soon as we receive it, but for now here are some photograhps from the event - all taken by Susan Farr.

fssig.conf.3

fssig.4

 fssig.conf.2
  • The conference, organised by the Institute for Outdoor Learning’s Forest School Special Interest Group, explored current Forest School practice, research and developments.
  • The conference was fully booked so was full to capacity.
  • Speakers included:
  • Richard Louv - Author of ‘Last Child in the Woods, Saving our Children from Nature Deficit Disorder’ and co founder of the Children and Nature Network. Read about Richard Louv on the Telegraph website here.
  • Jenny Doyle – Oxfordshire Forest School Advisor
  • Sara Knight – Author of ‘Forest School & Outdoor Learning in the Early Years’
  • Jon Cree – Training Coordinator Bishopswood Centre, Worcestershire
  • Susannah Podmore – Forest Education Initiative

fssig.conf10

Workshops

  • EMOTIONAL LITERACY : SEALs in the Woods
  • WHY ARE THE LEAVES YELLOW? : Following children’s lines of enquiry
  • ‘NEVER FELT BETTER’ : Using wool at Forest School
  • CONFIDENCE IN BUILDING AND MANAGING CAMPFIRE LIGHTING : Fire Craft
  • DEN BUILDING : Everyone everywhere needs a place they can call their own
  • WOODLAND ARCHERY
  • WORKING WITH CHALLENGING TEENAGERS AT FOREST SCHOOL
  • A PRACTICAL HANDS-ON AND MINDS-ON INTRODUCTION TO FOREST SCHOOL
  • AMBITIOUS HEALTHY CAMPFIRE COOKING
  • OUTDOOR LITERACY

What are Forest Schools about?

fssig.kids

fssig.index

Forest School is an inspirational process, that offers children and young people opportunities to achieve, develop confidence and self-esteem, through hands on learning experiences in a local woodland environment.

This is achieved through the following principles:

  • Forest School is for all children and young people.
  • Forest School builds on a child’s innate motivation and positive attitude to learning, offering them the opportunities to take risks, make choices and initiate learning for themselves.
  • Forest School is organised and run by qualified Forest School leaders.
  • Forest School maximises the learning potential of local woodland through frequent and regular experiences throughout the year, not a one-off visit.
  • Forest School helps children to understand, appreciate and care for the natural environment.

If you’ve joined the FSSIG, remember to regularly check the Forest School Special Interest Group members’ area. Click here

Courses and events

We now have a specific page listing courses and events for Forest School and Bushcraft Special Interst Group IOL members. Click here.

FSSIG News

The Forest School Special Interest Group had its AGM on Saturday 21st November 2009 at Hillend, Oxfordshire. 20 members attended the AGM and workshops. The draft minutes of the AGM will be added to the members area of the FS SIG website shortly.

Keep up to date on Forest School developments…

  • The Forest School Special Interest Group (FSSIG) is currently in consultation with The Sylva Foundation and IOL regarding applying for Access to Nature funding for a full time Forest School Co-ordinator.
  • Next FSSIG meeting watch this space.
  • A Forest School SIG Newsletter coming soon.

NEWS

  • The FOREST SCHOOL QUALITY IMPROVEMENT FRAMEWORK (FS QuIF) is now available to use as a self assessment toolkit, on the FEI website.  There are 4 sections to work through:
    - a) Learning Environment
    - b) Health, Safety & Well-being,
    - c) Delivery and Communication,
    - d) Learners
    Each with a checklist (series of questions) to answer and collate evidence for , at your own pace. This process should help you to identify your own needs for CPD eg fire lighting or tool use.
    There are also supporting documents on collecting evidence, interviewing and observational skills.  For the full document and more information about the links to LoTC, click here

How to join the IOL Forest Schools Special Interest Group:

  • Cost per IOL membership year is just £6
  • The Institute website has a members only section for its SIGs - once you are a FSSIG member you will be able to access this area.
  • You can be a member of more than one SIG.
  • If you wish to join FSSIG, please forward payment details or send a cheque, made payable to IOL, to the IOL address below.
  • You must be a current IOL member to join any of the IOL Special Interest Groups.
  • For information on how to become involved in FSSIG contact Louise at IOL.

FS West Midlands Funding

List of national grants/funding for Forest School in the West Midlands and some fund-raising tips for schools. Click for West Midlands funding and Click for flier.

Also, flyer on regional grant from Forestry Commission specifically for Forest School - grants up to £2000 for schools.  Deadline 31st October 2009.  Please email Susannah at Forestry Commission if you are aware of any new grants available and I will include in this update.  

Remember the Forest School SIG is your organisation, the more involved you get, the more you'll get out of it.

July 2009 - VITAL Notice on Insurance for all IOL Events

fssig.pic