Sheffield Hallam has become one of the country’s first higher education institutions to provide students with the skills to teach children in the great outdoors.
The Forest Schools module focuses on learning amongst nature and is based on the principle that open-air play can help youngsters develop personal, social and technical skills.
Working in partnership with woodland officers in Ecclesall Woods, 44 students on our Early Childhood Studies degree took part in two 12-week pilot schemes where they learned how to safely teach outdoor skills such as lighting fires, cooking and building shelters.
They have now been awarded an OCN accredited Forest Schools qualification.
Due to the success of the first two pilot schemes which was made available to second year students as an elective module, the University has provided funding for the elective to run for a further three years.
For more information: visit the Media Centre at http://www.shu.ac.uk/mediacentre/taking-learning-outdoors