Yorkshire Dales Bushcraft
Collaboration with Yorkshire Dales Bushcraft: Enhancing Outdoor Education in Skipton
My most recent project involved an exciting collaboration with Yorkshire Dales Bushcraft, based near Skipton, to enhance their educational offerings for local schools. Drawing on my experience in teaching and senior leadership, I developed a comprehensive, curriculum-aligned programme specifically designed for primary-aged children in Skipton and beyond.
Curriculum-Aligned Bushcraft Lesson Plans for Skipton Schools
I created a full suite of lesson plans tailored to meet the needs of local schools in Skipton and the surrounding areas. These plans include long-term, medium-term, and short-term formats for each year group, integrating National Curriculum objectives with hands-on Bushcraft activities. This approach delivers a dynamic, age-appropriate outdoor learning experience that combines classroom learning with the natural environment.
Key features of the plans include:
- Learning objectives aligned with curriculum standards.
- WILFs (What I’m Looking For): Clear success criteria for students.
- Structured lessons with introductions, tasks, plenary sessions, and mini-plenaries.
- Key questions based on Bloom’s Taxonomy to stimulate higher-order thinking.
- Comprehensive resource lists to ensure seamless lesson delivery.
By designing a bespoke planning format, I bridged the gap between Bushcraft activities and traditional learning, making it easier for educators in Skipton to integrate outdoor learning into their curriculum.
Engaging Tools for Skipton’s Students
To support student engagement, I introduced a Bushcraft Passport. This tool allows children to track their learning progress, fostering self-accountability and a deeper involvement in their learning. Additionally, a certificate-based reward system motivates students as they reach milestones within the programme, celebrating their achievements.
Practical Resources for Instructors in Skipton
Every lesson plan is supported by detailed resource packs, ensuring that instructors and teachers in Skipton and beyond have the necessary tools to deliver the curriculum effectively.
Connecting Skipton Schools, Parents, and Yorkshire Dales Bushcraft
To strengthen communication, I developed a series of school-specific newsletters. These newsletters provide schools in Skipton and the surrounding region with termly updates on learning objectives, keeping parents informed and engaged in their children’s Bushcraft journey.
If you are interested in developing the educational offering of your own company, I am happy to provide you with examples of the planning and resources I have developed in the past. Please get in touch via the ‘CONTACT’ tab above.