Wild Tribe Outdoor Learning Conference 2021

Wild Tribe Outdoor Learning Conference 2022

Save the date: Our next Wild Tribe Conference will be on Thursday 31^st March 2022. More info to follow. 

Over 50 teachers recently attended our wild tribe outdoor learning training conference at Sterts outdoor theatre Liskeard. The Theatre is an outdoor test centre for the DCMS so we were fortunate to be able to use a Covid friendly site for our training conference. The conference was opened by key- note speaker Richard Irvine the King of whittling from North Devon. Richard has recently published a new book ‘wild ways’ and is also author of the popular book ‘Forest Craft’. Richard talked to all teachers present about the key ingredients of experiential education, his key- note was both inspiring and informative.

Ricard also led a workshop for teachers on the use of effective knife skills for whittling and crafts which can be created link to the National Curriculum. Debbie Lambert on of the authors of the series of books National Curriculum Outdoors delivering a workshop on Art and RE at Key stage 2 and showed teachers how they can deliver progressive lessons through these curriculum subjects.

There was also a workshop delivered on the foundation subjects including teaching geographical skills through maps and history, through the use of great explorers.

Smelting and knot making were also popular workshops with teachers learning how to use a variety of knots in the get knotted workshop, upskilling them in how to use these effectively with children. In smelting teachers were taught the technique of smelting using pewter to make some great Cornish jewellery pieces.

The wild tribe achievement award was also launched at the conference with teachers gaining an insight into the new award and how they can encourage more children to get outdoors and to recognise their achievements in the outdoors.

Wild tribe first aid also upskilled teachers on how to teach an important life skill in the outdoors.

Feedback from the conference has been positive with many teachers reporting they have learnt new skills and have been inspired with new ideas to take back to their schools. For more information on the wild tribe programme visit the web site on www.arena-schools.co.uk/wildtribe.