Out of the woods

We are raising money to get the best equipment to run our alternative education provision. The money will be spent on: 3 x bell tents, paddle boards, football goals, mini trampolines, yoga balls, bubble lights, sewing machines, hammocks, work benches, cooking equipment, i pads, bean bags, a projector and screen, and craft equipment. 

“Out of the woods” was named by a small group of kids I tutored two years ago. They had floated around for years either hating school or having no education at all. We often have to discuss whether something was literal or a “Phrase or saying”. We would dissect it and I would explain what neuro typicals actually meant by it. They thought the phrase “We are not out of the woods yet!” was funny and one of them said “That is what this is Sy. We are finally out of the woods.”

Out of the woods, is going to be a bespoke education service which is independent of formal curriculum, based on Forest school philosophy and project based learning. The parents will be able to cherry pick exactly what is right for their child and the delivery will be provided by three lead tutors who will get to know the children really well. There will then be professional educators to deliver specific workshops. Where the right core subject teacher could not be used in person for this, I have found one who will assist in an advisory and training role for the three lead practitioners to embed into the work they do with kids.

This provision will be initially for 7 – 16 year olds.

What would the “School” day look like?

This education package would be loosely modelled on Steiner philosophy of the head, the heart and the hand.

The idea would be that most kids would have 1.5 hours of bespoke “curriculum” (maths, English, science etc) delivered through project based learning 9-10:30 am. Then 1.5 hours of something creative (art, craft, cooking, photography, pottery, jewellery making). They would then all have lunch and structured play interactions. And after lunch would be 1:5 hours of “Hands” which would be something physical. At time of writing our options are: Paddleboarding, forest school, multi sports, gardening and skate boarding.