Teachers in this Department

Mr Young

Accommodation

This course is taught in dedicated Forest School sites at Pollok Park and Tollcross Park.

Resources Young People will use

Pollok Park

Tollcross Park

A variety of outdoor tools/ equipment such as loppers, saws, knives, shovels, trowels, tarpaulins and fire steels.

Links with other partners/agencies

During this course young people will work with Park rangers from Pollok Park at times on Biodiversity projects.

Course Outline

Forest school has 3 main objectives.

1. To help pupils develop the ability to risk assess their actions. They will do such things as build dens, use tools and build fires. Pupils will be guided to take a variety of precautions to mitigate the risks. They also look at the risks to the forest by helping the park rangers to remove invasive non-native species.
2. To help pupils to re-connect with nature. Pupils have their own forest school site and quickly come to appreciate the flora and fauna of the area. We use photography to allow pupils to focus on the leaves, bark, fungi and flowers of the site. Pupils are given time to explore the site within set boundaries and to find their favourite parts to be in. Spending time in forest environments has been proven to reduce stress and increase feelings of general wellbeing. We also liaise closely with the park rangers so that the pupils see the park as a place of employment as well as a place of leisure.
3. To help pupils work together. In order to accomplish tasks such as shelter building and fire making, the pupils work together and learn to allocate tasks to achieve a good result.

In this subject, learners may achieve John Muir Awards at various levels as appropriate.

Skills Developed through this Course

• Using the Scottish outdoor access code
• Using tools effectively and safely
• Using the outdoor environment safely and responsibly.
• Using activities outdoors to engage in a healthy lifestyle
• Looking after and improving the outdoor environment in a sustainable way.
• Working with Park rangers sensibly and responsibly.

Progression Pathways

Pupils start off at Discovery Level in the John Muir Award and can progress the next year to Explorer level.