Local Hill Walking Leader Award April 27, 2007
Posted by Bill in : Local Hill Walking Leader, Outdoor Learning , 1 comment so far
Well done to all the Rangers who completed their East Lothian Council Local Hill Walking Leader Award this week. A really enjoyable course to teach on as the Ranger team bring such a lot of prior knowledge and skills with them.This means you can teach the finer points of navigation. I learnt loads about the environment including top tips for identifying some of the local fauna and flora which will come in very useful for my own day to day teaching.
The course has also recently been validated by Mountain Leader Training Scotland. I know that some of them will hope to go on and complete a National Award i.e. Mountain Leader Training or Walking Group Leader.
I mentioned AA1’s but I thing I got away with it.
Risky Business? April 20, 2007
Posted by Bill in : HSE, Outdoor Learning , 2comments
We were sent a publication through SAPOE this week which was a press release from HSE. In these days of “cotton wool society” and constant risk assessment its so good to hear the HSE supporting the benefits of outdoor education.
Interesting to hear that CEO of HSE , Jonathan Rees said, “ Everyday a vast number of activities go ahead without a hitch. If we were to stop play and adventure activities we would deny children their right to learn, develop and have fun. And any gain in safety would be far outweighed by increasing rates of obesity and related disease. HSE has consistently called for adventure and activities to continue – with the risks being responsibly managed”….”Risk assessment is about saving lives not stopping living”
The whole article is available at the HSE website.
Peak Holiday April 16, 2007
Posted by Bill in : Holiday, Outdoor Learning , add a comment
Have just returned from a great break in the Peak district and also time in Herefordshire and Shropshire. It was great to get out and about on the local crags and get some personal climbing done. Stayed in a great cottage in the middle of Youlgreave - great beer, views and access to local climbing haunts. During our stay we visited Gardom’s edge, Birchen’s Edge, Bamford, the Roaches to climb and some great bouldering at Robin Hoods Stride and Crackcliffe. Climbing too at Symmonds Yatt (Gloucestershire) but Nesting Peregrine Falcons turned us away from one off my old favourites, Shakemantle Quarry.(also Gloucestershire). Great also to speak with friends in education in England and Wales and here their views on OE in their regions. Sadly I heard most that embarked on the career path (Outdoor Ed degree course) have turned away from education to pursue other careers due to lack of support within their regions! Those of us still in OE continue to push on!
Was in office today to put final touches to Local Hill Walking Award recently approved by SMLTB.Will post info on the course later.
Starfish found in Pentlands. April 15, 2007
Posted by Bill in : Outdoor Learning , add a comment
More pics from another group from Cockenzie PS. Not really a starfish but pupils during a listening exercise. There are loads more pics including this one of a “Highland Charge” Great to chat to one of the kids about one of my heroes - Rob Roy MacGregor.. history through outdoor education - whatever next! There are more pics from the final groups. ( I have put them on disc and sent to school.). Fantastic to get all of the P5’s out into the hills this year. Thanks to all the support from the school and staff for making it happen - and of course the pupils who, as always, give 150% all day!
