Outline Curriculum Proposal for Level One: Forest Schools Skills Award Coleg Sir Gar, Ammanford

Forest School Course Entry Level: Forest Schools Entry Level Level One: Forest Schools Skills Award Level Two: Assistant Forest Schools Practitioners Award

Background to forest school Originated in Sweden in the 1950s Brought to UK in the 1995 by Bridgewater college

Rationale Forest Schools offer children, young people and adults the opportunity to discover how to achieve, how to grow in confidence and how to develop self esteem by hands-on learning experiences in local forests and woodlands. (Video clip from Forest Schools website)

Geographical Location for the Course Coleg Sir Gar Campus: Ammanford, Carmarthenshire

Catchment Area Coleg Sir Gar, Ammanford Campus

Cluster groups

The Proposal Carmarthenshire LEA State Primary Schools: 123 State Secondary Schools: 15 State Schools Overall:138 Swansea LEA State Primary Schools: 91 State Secondary Schools: 16 State Schools Overall: 107 Ceredigion LEA State Primary Schools: 65 State Secondary Schools: 7 State Schools Overall:72 Neath LEA State Primary Schools: 73 State Secondary Schools: 15 State Schools Overall: 88 Family centres Day Nurseries Mudiad ysgolion Meithrin PPA Voluntary organisations SEN centres SEN schools Communities first areas Sure Start organisations

Aims and Objectives of the Course Self Awareness Self Regulation Intrinsic motivation Empathy Good social communication skills Independence A positive mental attitude, self-esteem and confidence

Key Factors impacting on Curriculum Design Steep Analysis

STEEP What are the drivers affecting our course? Social Technological Economical Environmental Political

Social drivers Economic Deprivation Bilingualism Social inclusion

Technological drivers Information Technology Internet

Economic drivers Initial Course Funding Cost to customers

Environmental drivers ESDGC – education for Sustainable Development and Global Citizenship

Political Legislation Widening Participation Foundation Phase Estyn

Entry Requirements Students will need previous experience of working with children but need have little or no experience of working in the outdoors Validation Validated Leader to provide copy of certificate to awarding body (OCR)

Information for Students Course Venue, Duration and Timing Coleg Sir Gar, Ammanford Campus 3 consecutive days 9am – 3.30pm

Funding Colegau Cymru Students will pay £200 per 3 day course No registration fee unless late enrolment

Assessment Planning a suitable session in the forest appropriate to individual student’s area of interest or employment Reflective Journal of 1,500 words to be handed in 2 weeks after completion of course

Evaluation and Feedback Procedures

Costings

Marketing Local newspaper based advertisements Flyers Written information sent to local primary schools and interested parties Example of a flyer Staff visits to organisations Official opening

Further Development