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

Colin

Colin has 7 years experience of working in a specialist SEMH school as a HLTA. In this role, Colin worked closely with young people with complex needs who face challenges in accessing their education, providing the support and tools they need to thrive.

Colin has over 3 years of experience as a Forest School Assistant Practitioner, and Outdoor Enrichment Lead, and is currently working towards his Level 3 Forest School Leader Award.

Colin is passionate about using the outdoors as a positive tool to implement positive opportunities for young people who need it the most. His experience not only lies in using the outdoor environment to improve the well-being of young people but also in building relationships and self-confidence within these young people.

Beyond his professional work, Colin has been a dedicated youth leader at his local church for over 8 years. In this role, he mentors and leads young people, guiding them through critical stages of their development.

Football Pitch

Experience the excitement of our community’s football pitch, where passion and camaraderie come together on the field.

Fishing

Fishing at a Trail Blazers integrates practical outdoor skills with environmental education, offering our young people hands-on experience in natural settings. This activity can teach children about aquatic ecosystems, the importance of conservation, and responsible fishing practices.

It encourages a connection with nature, promotes physical health through outdoor activity, and can enhance social skills,resilience and teamwork as students learn together.

Join Us!

Football Pitch

Experience the excitement of our community’s football pitch, where passion and camaraderie come together on the field.

Allotment

Our allotment is like a classroom where students learn to grow food and care for the environment, helping them connect with nature and their community.

They also get to enjoy the fruits of their labour by cooking with the fresh produce they help grow.

Games Area

Games area where the spirit of collaboration and friendly competition thrives.

Fishing

Fishing at Trail Blazers integrates practical outdoor skills with environmental education, offering our young people hands-on experience in natural settings. This activity can teach children about aquatic ecosystems, the importance of conservation, and responsible fishing practices.

It encourages a connection with nature, promotes physical health through outdoor activity, and can enhance social skills,resilience and teamwork as students learn together.

Teepee

Our teepee not only fosters community but also serves as an outdoor classroom where nature becomes the ultimate teacher.

Team Building Area

We use this area to use games, and challenges to build trust, build better communication skills, boost morale and support collaboration between young people.

Woodland Gym

By integrating a woodland gym into Trail Blazers, we can provide our young people with a stimulating, engaging and holistic learning environment that benefits our young people’s physical, mental and emotional health.  

Sensory Path

Our outdoor sensory path allows young people to connect with nature but also offers sensory stimulation for young people to enhance sensory integration and contribute to their overall sensory development.

Tools Area

Where children develop learning at their own pace working through personal challenges. Once basic skills are mastered they can move on to open ended exploration – tinkering, exploring possibilities and start making unique creations using taught whittling techniques. 

Wood Chopping

An area where children chop wood for the days activities which promote resilience, fine motor skills and a sense of achievement.

Zip Line

Where our Trail Blazers become thrill seekers on an 80 metre zip wire down to our woodland lake. 

Creative Area

An area where young people can express their creativity aswell as encourage young people to take risks and try new things by encouraging them to learn through a variety of experiences.

Emotion Tree

A physical place where our young people can go to have a sense of relief and regulate their feelings/emotions  away from the community. 

Nature Trail

This path takes you on a tranquil walk to provide opportunities for observing and learning about the flora, fauna and animal tracks.

Fire Lighting

An area where traditional fire lighting skills are learnt, taught and built upon.

Kitchen

Where young trail blazers are given the opportunity to hone their culinary skills to prepare community breakfast and lunch using seasonal ingredients foraged from our ancient woodland when available 

Base Camp

 The Heart of our community. The day begins and ends here.