Forest and Outdoor Learning Awards I am Patrick Boxall and I am the Forest College coordinator From Newbattle Abbey College- an adult education college, we have a strong community role - work with schools and community and across the country through the adult achievement awards. I’m here to present the Forest and Outdoor Learning Awards We have been working with the the SCQF to credit rate the awards to become the awarding organisation. Now in final stages of writing, and in the process of consultation and sharing. Ready to Published in June and ready for August…. Newbattle abbey college patrickboxall@newbattleabbeycollege.ac.uk @NewbattleTweets #ForestAwardsScotland

Questions for today… Why? What are the ‘Forest and Outdoor Learning Awards’? How can they be delivered? Discussion: key issues? Next steps?

Why? Accreditation of Forest School and Outdoor Learning within SCQF framework levels 2-7 Learner centred, progressive programme of skills and leadership For Scotland and beyond… Equality of access, inclusion and achievement Progression pathways to employment Promote Health and Well-Being Skills for Learning, Life and Work Why now: The only accreditation for Forest School and holistic outdoor learning is from England is not fully fit for purpose for Scotland. FOLA will be a suite of qualifications that meet the SCQF standards so are benchmarked and credible in Scotland and beyond. This will mean that they can potentially contribute to attainment in schools and colleges; the qualifications will therefore stand up against UK and European standard. Grounded in progressive, holistic philosophy of education but nevertheless get in and around core business of schools and colleges. Particularly keen this initiative may contribute to outdoor learning programmes for children 12+ and adults…who then may lead across ages ranges

How they will be unique… First Forest and Outdoor Learning Awards scheme in Scotland credit rated to the SCQF Integrated with Curriculum for Excellence and Forest School Association expectations Clear progression pathways Greater emphasis on : Skills Leadership Pedagogy Creativity This is the first award scheme of its kind in Scotland to be benchmarked to the SCQF. We hope that the awards make a contribution to integrating outdoor learning into the curriculum, with a greater emphasis on skills, leadership, pedagogy, creativity… The consultation has included FSA, forest school trainers, schools, councils, rangers, outdoor leaders… We have been doing our best to listen the many voices that could have a stake in the awards...this is part of that…so consider this an invitation to engage and comment…

SCQF credit rating

Forest and Outdoor Learning Awards SCQF Level Awards Forest School Association equivalent 2 Forest and Outdoor Skills 2 None 3 Forest and Outdoor Skills 3 4 Forest and Outdoor Skills 4 5 Forest School and Outdoor Leader 5 Level 1 Practitioner 6 Forest School and Outdoor Leader 6 Level 2 Practitioner 7 Forest School and Outdoor Leader 7 Level 3 Practitioner This is the structure… Levels 5-7 we hope to become the standard Forest School qualification in Scotland, Levels 3- 4 are all about developing and building skills Levels 2 ASN/special education –supported learning

Structure of the FOLAs Unit 1 Being in the forest and outdoors Levels 2-7 Unit 2 Knowing... Levels 2-7 Unit 3 Working… Levels 2-7 Unit 4 Making... Levels 2-7 Unit 5 Learning... Levels 5-7 Unit 6 Leading… Levels 6-7 Unit 7 Managing... Level 7 Unit 8 Legal Compliance in the Outdoors Level 8

How can they be delivered? Approved Providers: Forest School Trainers; schools; colleges; outdoor learning organisations. Role of Newbattle Abbey College Quality Assurance Recognition of Prior Learning Support Partner network Provider of training and delivery Partnership: FSA; SRUC; QMU; FSTC; NESOLG plus pilot councils/schools/community learning Pilots 2018-19; full launch 2019… They can be delver by becoming an approved provider- who are hoping will be FS trainers, schools, college, outdoor learning organisations. Newbattle will be the awarding body and be responsible for Quality Assurance, recognition of prior learning, support… Partnership is the key to making it work. We have pilots running already that will be extended next session, before a full launch in 2019 Please contact me… Happy to discuss further...

Discussion: Key Issues? What agendas would you like the awards to address? Any key issues that you would like to raise? Key questions/concerns that need to be addressed? Advice?