I’ve just uploaded a new document to share which I thought you may be interested in – ‘Step Outside!’ A 132 page Outdoor Learning Resource which I wrote a LOOOONNNNGGGG time ago in 2004!
You can download it for free as a set of PDFs on our ‘Buy Me a Coffee’ page.
I thought it was time to brush off the dust and put this pack out there again – it was originally created as part of a 2004 project funded by HLF inspiring Primary Schools to use their School grounds more. It was a partnership between Norfolk Wildlife Trust, Norfolk County Council’s Environmental and Outdoor Learning Team and Norwich 21. Gratitude to everyone who was part of this project and contributed to the co-creation of this pack. A particular shout out goes out to the super organised Nell Seal who without her much needed systematic thinking the pack would have never met it’s deadline!
As it was created in 2004 some of the links and information may now be out of date, and it is also worth acknowledging that the resource pack was designed to support general curriculum based Outdoor Learning (Reception to KS2) rather than Forest School. Despite this I believe that most of the activity ideas and information about developing school grounds is still a useful resource and could be adapted to fit into the play-based ethos of Forest School.
There are 12 outdoor learning activities to explore in total – 4 each for Early Years, Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2 under 4 different topics: Plants, Animals, Habitats, People and Nature. The third folder is full of practical ideas for developing school grounds and includes guidance on how to create a pond, plant a tree, make a bird box, compost etc
![Join me in real life to refresh your practical skills!
I love playing with tools and knots to make stuff in the woods!
Although sometimes I wish I had more time to practice and play. There never seems to be enough time in the day, (with a 3 year old running rings round me!) and the practical [...]](http://www.birchwoodlearning.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/3-stick-trees-36x36.jpg "Looking for ways to develop your woodcraft skills this winter?"){kind=small}
![I’ve just finished compiling A FREE 40 page resource pack – ‘Inspired by Autumn
Yes that is 40… FOUR ZERO pages (I was as surprised as you!) which is why it has taken me a bit longer than expected to finish it!
But here it is…
It has over 60 Autumnal Activities in it. Plus a separate book [...]](http://www.birchwoodlearning.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/fly-agaric-fungi-by-Егор-Камелев-from-Pixabay--36x36.jpg "Free ‘Inspired by Autumn’ Resource Pack"){kind=small}
![We’re happy to announce that we have a Blended Level 2 Forest School Assistant Course starting in January 2024. The blended format is a mix of face to face session on alternate Saturdays and online webinars covering the theoretical elements of the course.
We find this method of training works better in the winter months [...]](http://www.birchwoodlearning.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/group-mirror-walk-36x36.jpg "Level 2 Forest School Course – Starting January 2024 – Book Now!"){kind=small}
