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Building Regulations and Accreditation
News Release from: Forestry Commission
Edited by the Buildingtalk Editorial
Team on 12 September 2006
Woodlands make the grade with Forest
Schools
During Forest School, pupils earn to use the forest to build shelters, use forest tools to cut and shape wood and participate in a variety of team building activities.
Teachers in Edinburgh are set to swap chalkboards and marking for loppers, saws and an outdoor classroom as part of a unique partnership between Forestry Commission Scotland and the City of Edinburgh Council Under the Edinburgh Forest School Project, over the next two years, 32 people from across Edinburgh, will take part in an intensive training course to learn the essential skills needed to work with school children in a woodland setting and promote learning outdoors
This article was originally published on Buildingtalk on 23 Jun 2003 at 8.00am (UK)
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During Forest School, pupils will learn to use the forest to build shelters, use an array of forest tools to cut and shape wood and participate in a variety of team building activities that promote team building.
Based on a Scandinavian idea, the Forest School ethos focuses on learning styles that maximise the emotional, social and developmental benefits of education.
Launching the project during a visit to Longstone Primary School, Scottish Forestry Minister, Rhona Brankin, said: "Our forests are fantastic resources for learning and having lessons in a woodland setting can be a magical experience.
Further reading
Squirrel Damage: Help Is On Hand
Woodland owners and managers have a new source of advice to help them combat the threat to trees posed by growing numbers of grey squirrels in Britain.
Furure For Scotland's Woods, People And Wildlife
The Scottish Executive wants more joined-up woodlands in Scotland.
Britain's Forest Area Grows
Over twelve thousand hectares (30,000 acres) of new woodlands were planted in Britain last year, helping to bring our forest cover to the highest level it has been in over 300 years.
Young people have vivid imaginations, so you can see what fun and stimulation youngsters get from having lessons in the forest.
"During the programme, pupils will be involved in a range of hands-on woodland activities out in the forest which is great for improving their confidence, self-esteem and helping to develop their ability to work as a team during the completion of practical tasks.
"The project will also provide teachers with the skills and knowledge needed to run forest schools and will result in an increased awareness of the potential use of woodlands amongst teachers.
I hope this project will continue to spread the good work that Forest Schools are carrying out in a number of areas across Scotland".
The project - run by the Forest Education Initiative, Forestry Commission Scotland and City of Edinburgh Council - aims to promote forest education, and in particular, a Forest School programme across Edinburgh.
To help role out the project across Edinburgh, a dedicated Forest Education Development Officer position has been created with funding from Forestry Commission Scotland's Woods In and Around Towns (WIAT) initiative, City of Edinburgh Council, Scottish Natural Heritage, Heritage Lottery Fund and Careers Scotland.
Jenny Watters has been appointed to manage the project over a two year period and part of her role is to support primary, secondary and special school teachers through their training course and address concerns about woodland management, risk assessment and safe tool use.
The training is designed to provide teachers with the skills and confidence needed to run forest schools.
Teachers will gain hands on experience at a forest school, complete an outdoor first aid course and run six forest schools before being assessed.
Jenny Watters, Development Officer, for Edinburgh Forest School Project, said: "This is an exciting opportunity for outdoor learning to become an integral and sustained part of education in Edinburgh.
"Teachers play a vital role in pupils learning and by offering training to provide teachers with the appropriate skills, this project maximises the benefits of outdoor learning".
Councillor Bob Cairns Executive member for Environmental Services at The City of Edinburgh Council added: "The Council is delighted to support education initiatives that capitalise on the City's unique natural surroundings.
We recognise the importance of outdoor space and are currently involved in the biggest upgrade of Edinburgh's public parks, woodlands and gardens for more than 40 years.".
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