Green Skills Reviews and Feedback from Courses, Events and Programmes

All entries will be listed in date descending order of the time the course, event or programme ran.

The following is a list of all the reviews that can be found here:

• Greenworks - Developing Outdoor Learning Programme with St Martins School, Worle, W-S-M (Summer 2007)
  
• Green Woodwork Course Review - Lower Woods (September 2007)
  
• Greenworks - Sustainable Schools Conference training sessions (November 2007)
  
• Greenworks - Introduction to Outdoor Learning course. (April 2008)
• Green Woodwork Course review 2008
  

 

St Martins' pupils learning fire lighting with fire steels.

Summer Term 2007 - St Martins School.

In 2007 Greenworks worked closely with St Martins School in Worle to develop a progressive outdoor environmental learning programme with their pupils through training their staff.

The programme initially involved running small scale intentisive sessions with pupils while being shadowed by staff from the school. In addition specific training sessions were run for the staff to develop their knowledge and skills. As the delivery of these sessions progressed staff from the school took on more and more responsibility for running the sessions until they felt ready to take control of the development, planning and delivery of all aspects of their programme.

The outcome of this training was the successful development of a new programme of learning for pupils at St Martins that involves them going to a local green space to undertake experiential and hands-on learning about the natural world. In addition 4 staff were trained to a high level to confidently and safely undertake innovative activities and games.

Chris whittling in Lower Woods

September 2007 - Lower Woods Bodging Course

For the second year running Jon and Paul have been able to run a wild week of camping and green wood work in the beautiful setting of Lower Woods near Wickwar in South Gloucestershire. The course was based in a series of woodland shelters to create a temporary and low impact site for green woodwork and camping just off one of the trenches that run through the wood.

During the course a wide variety of projects were completed - from the compulsory dibber for new comers to candlesticks, a canteen of spoons, a beautiful collapsible camp table and a smooth running indestructible oak pole lathe. In addition a night-time walk looking for bats and some impressive woodland cooking added to the flavour of the woodland experience.

Comments from those that came on the course:

"Fantastic course - I didn't want to leave." - Haley from Iron Acton

"I really enjoyed the course, it was an incredible opportunity to just enjoy the process of making things from wood - in an unrushed sort of way." Chris from Bristol

"our weekend introduction into green woodworking was exactly what I envisaged for my birthday treat. A beautiful woodland setting, excellent and patient tuition, good company and delicious food. The pace was suitably relaxed but we also managed to make dibbers, spoons and mallets from both ash and hazel, with no prior experience. Choosing a tree, helping cut it down and then working on the wood was a very satisfying experience. I am looking forward to another weekend next year- I want to make a stool next..." - Jo from Bristol

Teachers learning the Sound Mapping activity at the Sustainable Schools Conference

November 2007 - Sustainable Schools Conference.

In November 2007 Greenworks was invited to attend a schools conference in Wiltshire organised by the wildlife trust. Greenworks ran a number of sessions to introduce education workers to a range of hands on activities that provide a link with the natural world. These included exploring Earth Education, wood craft and environmental games and activities. The focus of the sessions was to provide simple and effective activities that could be repeated by those attending.

Following feedback from this training event participants made the following comments:

"I enjoyed being outdoors and using tools - it was the highlight of the day!" - wenners.

"Remebering that children need to be inspired so that they will care enough to make life choices."  - Jilly Hillier

"Loved the natures palate and colour chips activities. The unnature trail is a briliant idea." - A Simpson.

"I enjoyed the session being interactive and how using sounds and images would bring the environment to the children's attention." - Fiona Humm

"The session has inspired me to use all the activities with all children whatever their ability." - J.Wade

"It was really nice and fun to get out - its often tempting to stay in as it seems a lot of bother." B Brant

"Fantastic session, thanks for your time and enthusiasm." E.Waters 

 

Introduction to Outdoor Learning - angles poetry activity.

April 2008 - Introduction to Outdoor Learning.

Greenworks ran its first course in Brickyard Wood introducing education workers to activities that immerse children in the natural world. The course covered 13 different activities that participants could go away and use with their groups. A range of Earth Education activities were explored to use a range of senses to explore different aspects of the environment. Also a range of outdoor games were covered. The course also provided the opportunity to explore a range of resources and have a go at some inspired spur of the moment camp fire cooking.

Comments from the course, included:

"- I learnt loads. Have got lots of things to think about and have benefited 'spiritually' from a day in the woods after a tough week. Thanks."

"Given me lots more ideas that can be used in our school. - the best course I have ever done - my sort of day!."

"Very enjoyable and inspiring."

"It has inspired me to use the whole school outdoor area."

"I enjoyed the hands on approach and the warm fire!" 

 

You can find all the photos and the poem that the group produced here.

John making his shave horse.

Lower Woods 2008

Another course in Lower Woods was completed with all sorts of projects taking place from a log bench made by Re-Think to a shave horse and a raft of innovative products - including juggling clubs and a goblet.

A one day introductory course was greatly appreciated by local people who got stuck in to walking sticks, spoons and candlesticks but to name a few creations. During the rest of the week a variety of more challenging turning projets were taken on. In particular one bodger took on turning a babies rattle with captive rings using the strangley named ferret turning chisel.

During a week of varied and at points challenging weather everyone stayed dry and warm in the bodgers workshop and enjoyed a vareity of treats cooked in the camp kitchen.