Guide to Delivering Outdoor Learning Training

Cambium Sustainable Landscapes and Training

Pump Row, Broad Oak

Hereford, HR2 8QU

Tel: 01981 580471 Mob: 07974 828605

Document revised November 2015

Contents

1.IntroductionPage 4

1.1Agored Cymru (OCN Wales)

1.2Partner Organisations

1.3Validation Process

2.Outdoor Learning &Forest School TrainingPage 4

2.1Forest School Training Network

2.2Requirements for trainers

2.3Courses offered and entry requirements for trainees

2.4 Locations for Training

3.Outdoor Learning Qualification PathwaysPage 6

4. Course DeliveryPage 9

4.1Course Training Team

4.2Record keeping and registration

4.3Course duration, contact time & completion dates

5.Cambium Training Centre PoliciesPage 10

5.1Plagiarism and Malpractice

5.2Ratios for practical work

5.3Resources for practical work

5.4Conflict of Interest

5.5Access to Fair Assessment and Reasonable

Adjustments

5.6 Course Evaluation

5.7Complaints / Disputes / Appeals Procedure

6.Health & SafetyPage 13 6.1 Health and Safety Policy

6.2First Aid

6.3Food Safety

6.4Risk Assessment and Emergency procedures

6.5Responsibilities

7.Expectations of training team & traineesPage 15

8.Assessment and Internal Verification (IV)Page 15

9. Equal Opportunities, Disability and Language Page 15

Policies

10.SustainabilityPage 16

Agreement for Partner OrganisationsPage 17

Appendices

1.Cambium Health and Safety Policy StatementPage 18

2.Cambium Child Protection PolicyPage 19

1Introduction

1.1Agored Cymru (OCN Wales)

Agored Cymru is a nationally recognised body for the accreditation of learning. Cambium is an approved Centre with Agored Cymru. To become an approved Centre & Training Provider a training organisation must adhere to requirements for quality provision in terms of staff, record keeping, internal verification & quality assurance processes. Training Providers are subject to External Verification for validation of courses offered. Cambium is inspected annually by Agored Cymru. Following inspection, recommendations may be made which must be implemented to retain an approved status.

1.2Partner organisations working with Cambium as a Centre to enable delivery of accredited training must agree to comply with the guidelines set out in this document and their representative will sign the agreement at the end of this guide. The agreement will be subject to periodic review by liaison between both parties.

1.3Validation

Validation of courses is carried out based on quality of Centre Provision and the internal and external processes of Verification. Representative and random samples of learners work are taken to ensure quality of provision in terms of training offered, learning resources, standards of marking and administrative back up.

2.Outdoor Learning and Forest School Training

2.1Forest School Training Network

A national body of Forest School Trainers (FSTN) was formed in 2006 to agree content, structure and quality of provision of Forest School. As the number of members of the FSTN grows it is anticipated that groups will meet regionally as well as nationally. The Units were revised by agreement of the FSTN during 2009 – these revised Units became available from April 2010 . No other Units must be used as alternatives to deliver Forest School Training at any level. It may be appropriate in some instances to use additional Units from the OCN database, but such use must have approval from Cambium before the start of the training course.

2.2Requirements for Forest School Trainers

The basic requirement for Forest School Trainers has been set out by the FS Training Network.

The required standard for Cambium to approve Forest School trainers is set out below:-

Requirement for delivering all Levels of Forest School Units:

Lead Trainers MUST have:-

  • Recognised Level 3 FS qualification
  • Experience of setting up and running a range of Forest School Programmes since qualification.

(Must have at least two years experience of running Forest School, this would include working with a minimum of two different age groups and either have or be working towards delivering long programmes eg. 12 weeks or more with the same client group)

  • Insurance to cover Public Liability up to £5000,000 and Employers Liability (as necessary) for the venues and woodland sites as well as for the training. Freelance trainers and organisations working with Cambium are also advised to investigate the need for professional indemnity insurance if not already held.

Lead Trainers should either already have, or be working towards:-

  • Recognised qualification in teaching and assessing adults

AND / OR

  • Experience of running Forest School Training through Level 4 Forest School Trainer Award (Agored Cymru) or similar

Anney Thornton Wood representing Cambium is an active member of the Outdoor Learning Wales Training Network and Forest School Trainers Network GB . Trainers delivering training on behalf of Cambium are expected to attend the standardisation event for their course(s) as well as course team meetings and the annual Cambium course review meeting which takes place at the end of each academic year. At these meetings a summary of the Training Network meetings will be given to all in attendance. Individual Trainers are also at liberty to join the FSTN / OLWTN.

2.3Entry requirements for students:

Level 1 courses – students should be 14 years or above on entry, no other entry requirements apply

Level 2 courses – students should be 16 years or above on entry, no other entry requirements apply

Level 3 courses – students should be 19 years or above on entry and have achieved a Level 2 (equivalent to upper end of GSCE) Award prior to entry as well as having an established link with a client group in order to carry out outdoor learning / forest school practice as necessary for the course.

2.4Locations for Training

A venue with capacity to comfortably seat the anticipated group size (recommended max. 16) plus the training team. Providing facilities as required by Health & Safety law. Tables and chairs should be provided as well as having access to kitchen facilities.

Venues for the practical parts of the course should provide a stimulating and resource rich woodland environment with parking capacity for the group size nearby, access to toilet facilities from the woodland needs to be considered and arrangements made as appropriate.

3. Outdoor Learning Qualification Pathways

Level 1 – 1 qualification

Award in Outdoor Learning (QCF)

Level 2 – 5 qualifications

Award in Outdoor Learning Practice (QCF)

Award in Outdoor Play Practice (QCF)

Award in Assisting Forest School (QCF)

Award in Assisting Coastal School (QCF)

Level 3 – 5 qualifications

Certificate in Leading Forest School (QCF)

Certificate in Leading Coastal School (QCF)

Award in Leading an Outdoor Curriculum (QCF)

Certificate in Leading Forest and Coastal School (QCF)

Outdoor Learning Qualification Structures

Level 1 Award in Outdoor Learning (QCF) – 5 credits
Mandatory Units (5 credits)
Level 1 Learning, Play and Development in the Outdoors – 2 credits
Level 1 Health and Safety for Working Outdoors – 1 credit
Level 1 Outdoor Practical Skills – 2 credits
Level 2 Award in Outdoor Learning Practice (QCF) – 5 credits
Mandatory units (5 credits)
Level 2 Sustainable Use of Natural Resources – 2 credits
Level 2 Outdoor Learning Practitioner – 3 credits
Level 2 Award in Outdoor Play Practice (QCF) – 5 credits
Mandatory units (5 credits)
Level 2 Sustainable Use of Natural Resources – 2 credits
Level 2 Outdoor Play Practitioner - 3 credits
Level 2 Award in Assisting Forest School (QCF) – 8 credits
Mandatory units (8 credits)
Level 2 Supporting Learning, Play and Development in the Outdoors – 2 credits
Level 2 Sustainable Use of Natural Resources – 2 credits
Level 2 Outdoor Practical Skills – 2 credits
Level 2 Assist at Forest School – 2 credits
Level 2 Award in Assisting at Coastal School (QCF) – 8 credits
Mandatory units (8 credits)
Level 2 Supporting Learning, Play and Development in the Outdoors – 2 credits
Level 2 Sustainable Use of Natural Resources – 2 credits
Level 2 Outdoor Practical Skills – 2 credits
Level 2 Assist at Coastal School – 2 credits
Level 3 Certificate in Leading Forest School (QCF) – 14 credits
Mandatory units (14 credits)
Level 3 Supporting Learning, Play and Development in the Outdoors – 3 credits
Level 3 Observation and Evaluation of Outdoor Learning – 2 credits
Level 3 Sustainable Use of Natural Resources – 2 credits
Level 3 Teach Outdoor Practical Skills – 3 credits
Level 3 Forest School Leader – 4 credits
Level 3 Certificate in Leading Coastal School (QCF) – 13 credits
Mandatory units (13 credits)
Level 3 Supporting Learning, Play and Development in the Outdoors – 3 credits
Level 3 Observation and Evaluation of Outdoor Learning – 2 credits
Level 3 Sustainable Use of Natural Resources – 2 credits
Level 3 Teach Outdoor Practical Skills – 3 credits
Level 3 Coastal School Leader – 3 credits
Level 3 Award in Co-ordinating an Outdoor Curriculum (QCF) – 10 credits
Mandatory units (10 credits)
Level 3 Supporting Learning, Play and Development in the Outdoors – 3 credits
Level 3 Observation and Evaluation of Outdoor Learning – 2 credits
Level 3 Sustainable Use of Natural Resources – 2 credits
Level 3 Outdoor Curriculum Co-ordinator – 3 credits
Level 3 Certificate in Leading Forest and Coastal School (QCF) – 17 credits
Mandatory units (17 credits)
Level 3 Supporting Learning, Play and Development in the Outdoors – 3 credits
Level 3 Observation and Evaluation of Outdoor Learning – 2 credits
Level 3 Sustainable Use of Natural Resources – 2 credits
Level 3 Teach Outdoor Practical Skills – 3 credits
Level 3 Forest School Leader – 4 credits
Level 3 Coastal School Leader – 3 credits

4.Course Delivery

4.1Course Training Team

Trainers must make decisions based on their risk assessment and the nature of the training to decide how many members of staff may be required for individual training courses. Selection of staff is dependent upon their areas of expertise or may be giving opportunity to apprentices gaining experience as assistants or subject teachers under an overall course leader / manager. Where participant numbers are at eight or below, one trainer may be sufficient but careful consideration of this should be made in the risk assessment taking into consideration the nature of the training and the location.

Assistants for all levels of Forest School Training should have gained the Forest School Assistant Level 2 qualification as a minimum and have experience of assisting with Forest School since having gained that qualification.

It is the Lead Trainers responsibility to call training team meetings as necessary before and during the course to enable effective communication and best practice training to be carried out. It would be considered good practice to document any team meetings and keep a record of these.

4.2Record keeping and registration

Candidates usually fill in an enrolment and medical information form on the first day that they attend the course. Information as requested by the excel document that is supplied to all trainers must be sent to the Cambium office to enable the candidate to be registered with Agored without delay. The medical information needs to be kept with the group (usually in the emergency bag) along with a copy of the risk assessment. All responsible staff working with the Lead Trainer must have knowledge of where these key H&S documents are to be found and be aware of the contents of these. Medical information is to be kept private and when the group have completed their contact days it needs to be destroyed.

4.3Course duration, contact time & completion dates

Lead trainers are responsible for ensuring course participants receive any necessary pre-course information in good time before the start date of the course. Examples of course joining letters and course information sheets are available on request from Cambium. All participants undertake training courses at their own risk and this may need to be re-iterated by verbal and written means

Each course carries a minimum contact time according to its Level and number of Credits (Guided Learning Hours GLH). Completion dates are set by the Lead Trainer and form part of the course timetable in the information sheet. A timescale for Internal and External Verification and obtaining Certificates must also be taken into account. Trainers must make every effort to adhere to this timetable. Courses registered with Cambium will be given a course code. This code should be used on documentation concerned with the course to ensure that it can be identified correctly.

An example of a scheme of work for any of the above training courses can be provided by Cambium to partner organisations. Lead trainers will be responsible for preparing and disseminating course materials or any additional information given to the participants during the course days as well as for maintaining good communications with course participants as necessary during the course period.

Candidates who require a time extension must formalise their request by filling in a form in which they set a new date for completion in liaison with their lead tutor. Candidates now have a maximum period to present their work of 15 months from the start date of their course. Registration of candidates stays open for two years.

7Cambium Training Centre Policies

7.1Plagiarism and Malpractice

With the increasing amount of documentation available about Forest School from the internet there is always a possibility of students using or copying the work of others (whether written, printed or in any other form) without proper acknowledgement in any coursework. To try to prevent this happening however, tutors must remain vigilant to any indications of the above in a students work and also remain up to date themselves on published research and other works (as far as is reasonably practicable) so that if it does occur, plagiarism can be flagged up and the issue brought to the students attention. To try to prevent this, tutors must bring to the students attention that they will be signing a declaration at the front of the workbook which states that the work is all their own. In the case of Level 3 students who may work together in some capacity eg. Colleagues working together in the same school to produce generic policies and procedures for their Forest School provision, they must make a signed declaration that both parties shared equally in the production of this work. Tutors must use their discretion in giving advice about what parts of a Level 3 portfolio it would be acceptable to produce in conjunction with a colleague.

Malpractice constitutes any deliberate attempt on the part of the student to compromise the integrity of the assessment process, and / or the validity of the certification process must be investigated. Any investigation deemed necessary by the Lead Trainer of a course must be conducted with due regard to:

  • Confidentiality
  • Retention and storage of evidence
  • Conclusions reached and remedial action to be taken

Suspected malpractice on the part of Centre staff will be dealt with in a similar manner to the above.

7.2Ratios for practical work

Course Leaders should ensure that staff:participant ratios are carefully thought through and appropriate with regard to the task undertaken during the training course and the nature of the setting being used. The risk assessment process will be required to show due consideration for the above.

7.3Resources for practical work

Course Leaders should ensure that the course is adequately resourced both the nature of the training taking place and for the number of participants. Course Leaders are responsible for ensuring that equipment and resources used on training courses are suitable and fit for purpose.

7.4Conflict of Interest

Course Leaders should ensure that staff are aware of, and make known any possible conflicts of interest. Possible conflicts of interest occur where there is a pre-existing relationship between tutoring staff and a participant and where this relationship may lead to a biasing of judgment on the part of the tutor. Possible conflicts of interest should be declared to Cambium in writing. Once notified, Cambium will devise a plan of action to ensure that impartiality and fair treatment is received by all participants at all times during training

7.5Access to Fair Assessment & Reasonable Adjustments Policy Cambium is committed to giving learners the best possible opportunity to succeed. This necessitates that they have access to fair assessment processes. The Units are approved by the Forest School Training Network as well as being scrutinized by Agored Cymru in the application process to ensure that the wording and scope of the Unit encapsulates the aims and objectives of that Unit and that the assessment strategy or individual task will be:- reliable, valid, fit for purpose, transparent and recognize equality and diversity. In addition to having qualified and experienced staff at the tutor / assessor level, Cambium has experienced Internal Verifiers that help to ensure that the assessment process is carried out impartially and in line with best practice. Agored Cymru also sends a representative Quality Review and External Verifier periodically to ensure that assessment processes are carried out correctly. Once the student has registered as a learner with Cambium & Agored Cymru they are encouraged to keep in contact to enable them to successfully complete their training within the time period suggested for their cohort. If a candidate is experiencing personal or professional problems that may prevent them from completing either observation assessments or submission of a portfolio of evidence within the agreed time frame, they are encouraged to submit a ‘Time Extension Request’ form to us where a later date can be agreed between tutor and candidate to carry out assessments of evidence. Cambium holds a policy of keeping registrations open for two years from the start date of the course, if a student fails to produce evidence for the Units of study within this period, Cambium reserves the right to refuse to mark evidence or apply for certification on the grounds that this work will not now be relevant or current. Having stated the above, Cambium will take reasonable actions to ensure that students are encouraged to keep in communication, and are warned of closing dates for courses in good time. In addition to the tutorial time offered within the normal timeframe for a cohort, Cambium will additionally offer up to three hours of tutorial time to students that have been assessed as referrals. If a student’s evidence is still assessed as a referral after this additional tutorial time has expired, we will either suggest completion at a lower level (if possible) or ask the student to re-attend the course days for the same or another course at their own cost.

7.6Course Evaluation

Copies of completed evaluation forms should be provided to the Cambium office as soon as possible after the end of the course so that they can be used to inform the annual course review. Cambium will agree the format of any evaluation forms used.

7.7Complaints / Disputes / Appeals Procedure