Our Curriculum
Trail Blazers’ engagement programs are designed with the holistic growth of young people in mind, emphasising their well-being, social connections, and environmental consciousness as essential components for academic and later life success. These programs, like the Forest School and Fishing, offer benefits such as enhanced mental and physical health, which help reduce stress and boost physical fitness, alongside fostering emotional and social growth. They also play a critical role in connecting young people to their local environment and the broader natural world.
The activities at Trail Blazers are tailored to the interests of the participants and vary across different pathways, but they share several core characteristics and values that define the Trail Blazers’ Education experience:
The programs are conducted outdoors, in our ancient woodland or beside our fishing lakes in all seasons and are only cancelled in extreme weather conditions, (participants’ safety will always come first).
Holistic Development: The programs cater to the overall development and requirements of the participants, encompassing physical, emotional, and social aspects.
Learner-Centric Approach: The education model is learner-led, allowing ample time for spontaneous exploration and play, encouraging curiosity and self-directed learning.
Risk-Friendly Environment: Trail Blazers promote appropriate levels of managed risk-taking, such as climbing trees, learning fire-lighting skills, and safely using tools, fostering resilience and self-confidence in young individuals.
INTENT
Our curriculum is designed to be accessible to all members of our learning community, no matter what barriers have prevented progress and growth prior to joining us. Our aim is to ensure learning is aspirational and drives our learners to be positive members of our local, national and global communities and lifelong learners.
We believe in developing the whole learner, not just the academic ability. We use a project-based method allowing the learner to be completely autonomous, contributing to a well-rounded education, based on skills for lifelong learning and personal development. Forest School is a complete educational system and when put into practice in this way, it can help learners to access a full curriculum of activities, skills and attitudes that provide a grounding for later life.
IMPLEMENTATION
Our curriculum is tailored to cater to learners with social, emotional, and mental health needs. We place significant emphasis on addressing negative behaviours and nurturing their self-esteem. This approach aids students in understanding our expectations and prepares them for age-appropriate pathways and transitions.
We firmly believe that authentic learning can only occur when we acknowledge and support the social and emotional hurdles that learners encounter. As a result, we prioritise this aspect for all our students during their initial weeks and months at Trail Blazers.
Forest School + Fishing
Outdoor Learning Opportunities
Personal Reflection Journal
1:1 Individual Support
Small, Structured Groups
Pathway Groups Depending on Needs
IMPACT
Learners will work towards inspiring but realistic targets that account for their individual talents and challenges and cover their holistic progress. This will bridge the gap to start the steps of re-engaging a young person back into education and trust with professionals.
We aim to narrow the gap between our learners’ ages and their SEMH stage during their time with us, simultaneously addressing SEMH needs and equipping our learners with strategies to follow them through life. Our learners will graduate with a continually growing level of self-confidence, resilience and independence allowing them to progress into responsible citizens with a positive mind-set to be productive and happy members of our local, national and global communities as well as lifelong learners.
If you require further details on our Curriculum, please email us on enquiries@tb-education.co.uk