Course takes root to help little learners discover life outdoors

The great outdoors is being used to teach the next generation thanks to a course which takes the classroom out into the open.
Carly Oliver, Katy Welsh, Zoe Cooper, Tom Mower attending the Forest School Leadership programme at West Boldon Lodge.Carly Oliver, Katy Welsh, Zoe Cooper, Tom Mower attending the Forest School Leadership programme at West Boldon Lodge.
Carly Oliver, Katy Welsh, Zoe Cooper, Tom Mower attending the Forest School Leadership programme at West Boldon Lodge.

Groundwork is running a course at its base at West Boldon Lodge where teachers, school staff and freelance practitioners can gain the qualification to deliver a Forest School.

The sessions, run in partnership with North Yorkshire Forest School, will offer a NOCN Level 3 certificate in leadership.

St Joseph Primary pupils from Sunderland during Outdoor Education Day at Jarrow Hall.St Joseph Primary pupils from Sunderland during Outdoor Education Day at Jarrow Hall.
St Joseph Primary pupils from Sunderland during Outdoor Education Day at Jarrow Hall.
Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Andrew Watts, Groundwork South Tyneside and Newcastle’s (STAN) chief executive, said: “We are pleased to be enriching children’s lives through a diverse range of outdoor activities available across South Tyneside.

“With the help of Groundwork’s Education Team and North Yorkshire Forest School training, the 10-day Forest School course is a fantastic opportunity for adults to gain the skills, experience, confidence and qualifications necessary to take pupils outdoors and enhance their learning in new and exciting ways.

“This is the third year West Boldon Lodge will be hosting a course with North Yorkshire Forest School Training, who have been running the course for more than eight years across the North East.”

In celebration of World Outdoor Education Day last week, Groundwork welcomed school children for outdoor lessons.

St Joseph Primary pupils from Sunderland during Outdoor Education Day at Jarrow Hall.St Joseph Primary pupils from Sunderland during Outdoor Education Day at Jarrow Hall.
St Joseph Primary pupils from Sunderland during Outdoor Education Day at Jarrow Hall.
Hide Ad
Hide Ad

St Joseph Primary, from Sunderland, visited STAN’s latest venture, Jarrow Hall, Anglo-Saxon Farm, Village and Bede Museum and learned about its work with rare breeds, while and Helen Gibson Nursery pupils visited West Boldon Lodge discovered how to stay safe and honed their listening and attention skills.

West Boldon Lodge features outdoor living and fire, plants, waste and recycling, electricity and energy, climate and energy sustainability and animals in their natural environment.

For more information visit www.groundwork.org.uk/stan.