IOL Accredited Resources

 

The National Outdoor Learning Award scheme (NOLA) recognises and captures the personal development outcomes of participants during a residential or regular outdoor learning experience.

• NOLA can be used with different ages, needs, outdoor environments (on-site, woodland, hill, sea etc.), different activities (outdoor, adventure, field study, environmental) and with single and multiple session programmes
• NOLA assists learners to develop high levels of motivation, esteem, skill, knowledge and desire to learn.
• NOLA provides evidence of development in three areas - self, others and the environment.
• NOLA gives outdoor learning professionals and organisations the opportunity to embed personal development into their delivery.

Dartmoor National Park Authority has used the National Outdoor Learning Award since its inception, helping pilot its use with our Junior Ranger Programme in 2016. The Award provides a really good way of helping young people think about some of the wider social and environmental relationships and skills they are developing while they participate in what at first appears to be much more traditional ‘environmental education and practical conservation’ activities. The Junior Ranger Programme lasts for 10 months with monthly opportunities for participation and this structure lends itself to using NOLA to help reflection and recording of change over time. We continue to use NOLA with our Junior Rangers (aged 12 – 15) and are also using it for the first time with our progression Youth Rangers (16 -18 year olds).

Orlando Rutter, Senior Learning and Outreach Officer, Dartmoor National Park

 

The WILD Passport is a five year curriculum for outdoor educators and is intended to form the basis of session and programme planning for learners up to the age of 16. The 150 Learning Outcomes are divided into five levels of difficulty which are worked through sequentially over the course of the programme, leaders are able to decide how to incorporate this learning into their sessions and in what order in order to challenge their learners and maintain interest and motivation, as well as taking advantage of seasonal opportunities for learning.

Designed for settings delivering Forest Schools, Bushcraft and similar provision to help leaders and management evidence learner progression and attainment. The resource is based over five skill areas (woodcraft, shelter, fire, ropes and nature) and five difficulty levels, from Beginner to Expert.

• The resource uses clear and high contrast print, detailed instruction in simple, clear language and bright, clear photographs to illustrate processes and outcomes.
• The resource is available in a digital format where users can zoom in to increase accessibility.
• The activities in the resource (whilst designed for woodland settings) can with little or no adaption be run in a variety of settings including fields, playgrounds or even in an inside space if necessary.

The WILD Passport is a useful framework for monitoring skill progression, whether as part of a Forest School programme or as a stand alone outdoor learning programme. The WILD Passport programme could help many schools to strengthen and support the argument for increased access to natural areas and outdoor learning in general by increasing the ease with which teachers can evidence the knowledge and practical skill gains made by learners during their outdoor learning experiences.
Lily Horseman, Chair, Forest School Association

The Wild Passport resource is a useful addition to existing Outdoor Learning and Forest School programmes, giving opportunities for skills-based progression for learners of differing ages and abilities. I think lots of settings will find the progressive nature of the resources appealing and it can give an element of structure which some settings are looking for.
Sam Goddard, Director, Cambium Sustainable

 

The programme is accessible to Forest School or Bushcraft activity participants from age 4 upwards; it will also engage older children whose interest in the woodland environment has developed to focus on more complex skills. The scheme will encourage children into the outdoors by harnessing their passion for achieving the 'next level'. Children of the 21st century are part of a culture which values the process of 'ticking off' achievements made and levels accessed and completed. The badges will take advantage of this drive by introducing children to the idea of ‘next level’ adventures in the woods. Aims include:

• To recognise and encourage skills gained by children and young people who take part in woodland activities.
• To support practitioners (Forest School Leaders/ Bushcraft Practitioners) to engage young people with the natural world.
• To allow children to evidence their own narrative of adventure, exploration and discovery.
• To motivate children to get outside and learn to protect and enjoy their environment.
• To retain the interest in and engagement with the outdoors of greater numbers of children for longer periods of time.

“I would like to thank you very much for all of the forest school experiences the children have been fortunate enough to have had this last year. The difference in their confidence and communication has been remarkable and the only change in their routine has been the introduction of your Forest School".

"I would like to thank you personally for the couple of terms I had at forest school and for all the things I learned and also for all your great support for some of our more vulnerable children and those with additional needs” Many thanks.

“The kids enjoy every minute of their time at Forest School! Getting muddy & exploring is what childhood memories should be built of and Mikey does an amazing job of making that happen!”
Comment from a parent who sends her daughter to the Forest School holiday activity days.