December Newsletter

Welcome to Birchwood Learning’s E-Newsletter. I hope you have been wrapping up warm for wintery woodland explorations! Have a fantastic festive season!

Website update – Seasonal Stories
Winter-time facts, folklore and stories are now uploaded to our website. Take a look here.

New – OCN Level 2 Forest School Assistant ‘Top-up’ Module
The Forest School Training Company have developed a modular format to their Forest School training courses. This modular approach benefits students by recognising prior learning and enabling people who have already done earlier levels of Forest School training to ‘top-up’ their training to get the next levels. Therefore, we are happy to announce that we will be running a OCN Level 2 – Forest School Assistant ‘top-up’ module in March 2012. This module is designed for those practitioners who have already gained or who are in the process of gaining their OCN level 1 Introduction to Forest School qualification and want to develop their skills. Read more details here.

Common Sense Risk Management of Trees
The National Tree Safety Group have just published the above document designed to give guidance on trees and public safety for owners and managers in the UK.

Congratulations to North City Children’s Centre, Angel Road, Norwich!
For receiving an Outstanding Ofsted inspection in October 2011. Amongst other aspects of the centres’ work Forest School received a mention: “The Children… enjoy another highly successful feature developed by the centre, the Forest Schools area. This supports development across the range of outcomes. Children are encouraged to manage their own risks in a natural environment, for example, they know they need to avoid stinging nettles and brambles. On joining the reception class at school, North City children demonstrate high levels of confidence and independence and help their peers in developing their confidence to explore the area. Parents also love coming to the Forest Schools sessions, some of which are run on Saturdays to enable a wider group of parents and children to attend.” The Forest School project at the Children Centre is being led by Nicola Harrison Forest School Leader & Norfolk FS mentor. You can view their full report here.

National Forest School Developments
After a significant consultation period, the new Forest School definition and principles seem to have been well received and with a few minor alterations will be embraced by the future lead body for Forest School in the UK. The steering group is moving forward with a business plan to form this organisation. You can view this document and minutes from meetings on the Forest Education Initiative’s website here.

Looking to apply for a grant? NCC INSET – Introduction to Fundraising and How to Write a Bid
With increasing pressure on budgets, and unpredictable futures, developing entrepreneurial skills has never been more valuable. This introductory course supports your staff and school to access and successfully bid for external funding streams.

• 7th February 2012 at Norwich PDC
• 12th March 2012 at Norwich PDC

Click here for further info and booking through Norfolk County Council INSET OPPS systems.

Global Thinking Training
Global Thinking run CPD training in the Eastern area about incorporating global dimensions in schools.
Please visit their website for more information.

Forthcoming Forest School Training in Norfolk

• OCN Level 1 – Introduction to Forest School
  5^th & 6^th March 2012 at Houghton Hall
• OCN Level 2 – Forest School Assistant Award
  8^th & 9^th March 2012 at Holt Hall
• OCN Level 3 – Forest School Practitioner Award
  Starting 12^th March 2012 at Catton Park, Norwich

Assessing for Danger! Outdoor First Aid for Forest School
Monday 20^th & Tuesday 21^st February 2012 at Holt Hall Field Studies Centre, £150
I’m pleased to let you know that Andy Forsyth will be in Norfolk running his fantastic two day First Aid for Forest School ITC training course. This 16 hour course covers essential first aid in the outdoors for 1 years to adults (please note that it does not cover infants) and is designed specifically for Forest School Leaders. It would also be very relevant for others working with groups in the outdoors such as field studies teachers, bushcraft instructors and teachers leading offsite visits etc.

Norfolk FS Leaders Network Meetings
Are you a Level 3 Forest School practitioner (or currently in training) based in Norfolk? If the answer is Yes then you are entitled to attend the FREE Forest School network meetings facilitated by Norfolk County Council’s Environmental and Outdoor Learning Team. The days incorporate updates, CPD, networking and sharing of practice. The following dates are planned for Spring term 2012, Venues TBA:

• Sunday 19^th February 2012
• Saturday 21^st April 2012

Links we like! – Institute for Outdoor Learning
The UK’s membership organisation for Outdoor Learning Practitioners, providing events, CPD training & regional networking.

Books we like! – ‘Hedgerow Medicine’
By Julie Bruton-Seal and Matthew Seal.
This beautifully presented book picks 50 common native UK plant and tree species and explores their medicinal uses and folklore.

Don’t forget to check www.birchwoodlearning.com for forthcoming Forest School and nature based outdoor learning training.