I’m Christine - I qualified as a Forest School Leader about 12 years ago. 

I had taken a career break from my corporate job in IT in Glasgow to do the “mum” thing for a few years. During that time while my youngest was at nursery, his teacher was doing her Forest School Leader training. She was looking for parent helpers to support the “Introduction to Forest School” programme she was running as part of her training. I decided to go along to help, as I considered myself reasonably 'outdoorsy'! 

I loved it just as much as the children did; I loved to see how happy they all were “playing” outside. In actual fact, it was more than play - they were challenging themselves and each other, enjoying the opportunity to get muddy, dirty, have a fire, explore, be curious, learn, climb, crawl, jump, make mud pies, talk, shout, discover new words, textures - the list goes on and on... I went every week to help, and I learned more and more each time - my curiosity and passion were piqued! 

I decided to put myself through Forest School Leader training, even if it was only going to be my own children that benefitted from my increased knowledge and confidence outdoors. The training opened my eyes, ears and curiosity even further. I increased my understanding of child development, emotional intelligence, and more of the wonders of how Mother Nature works. I developed practical skills, like how to do fires safely, learning knots to put up tarps and using tools safely - even with young children and teenagers. 

After achieving my Forest School Leader qualification, I started working on a volunteer basis, then decided I needed to re-coup some of my financial investment and began working for various local schools and organisations. After 5 years, in 2021, I was lucky enough to get the opportunity to work at OutLET with an amazing team, who were delivering forest school programmes to a wide variety of organisations and settings. Being part of a great team also meant I wasn’t out there on my own anymore, after delivering a lot of one-woman sessions (although I did have some brilliant assistants during my solo work) - which only helped my skills and confidence develop further. 

Since working at OutLET, a key part of my role has been delivering, managing and growing the Training side of our services, while continuing to deliver sessions and programmes to many different schools, settings and organisations. This ensures our training is always current -  it is delivered by highly experienced trainers who still work directly with young people every week. 

We deliver the Forest School Leader training to adults who work in a variety of settings - nurseries, schools, youth groups, and third sector organisations who support a large variety of communities. I love seeing our trainees experience those wee 'Wow Moments' when different parts of the training hits home to them, whether that is gaining new practical skills; the success of using a flint and steel for the first time to light a fire; setting up a tarp good enough for that day's Scottish weather; working safely with tools to make things; uunderstanding a learning theory and how this could apply to their setting; how Mother Nature adapts and changes during the seasons and weather; relaxing in hammocks; to understanding their own emotions and overcoming their own personal challenges. 

Forest School Leader training truly can be life-changing for those attending, as well as those who benefit from their skills. I love using the outdoors to allow people the time, space and opportunity to build more positive relationships with each other, nature - and ultimately allow them to build a better relationship with themselves. 

In addition to championing and leading OutLET's training programme, I am currently working with a high-school aged young person who very much struggles to be in the classroom. BUT when he is outdoors working with me he is engaged, chatty, curious, exploratory and keen to learn different things. 

We NEED more Forest School Leaders who can take young people out of the traditional classroom setting and find innovative ways to help them engage, rather than trying to force all young people to 'get through the day' in the mainstream education system. Mainstream education, is designed for “mainstream" young people - thankfully not all young people are the same. We should support and celebrate these young people more, and work in ways that allow them to regulate their emotions, develop their skills, establish their interests, find their passion, meet their potential and THRIVE.