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Trail Blazers Education provides a range of programmes tailored for schools, utilising outdoor experiences to enhance learning, confidence and personal development. These include Therapeutic Forest School sessions, Fishing intervention programs, alternative provision, and curriculum enrichment days.
We aim is to facilitate learner-led opportunities and projects by supporting intrinsic motivation for long-term positive development for young people. Trail Blazers Education aims to promote growth of the whole person holistically to become independent, resilient and reflective learners. We provide a nurturing environment where learners are in a calm, welcoming, inclusive community to support positive mental and physical health and well-being.
Available to Primary, Secondary, Special Schools and Home Educated young people.
Within the Ignite pathway, children are encouraged to engage collaboratively in activities such as den and shelter building, outdoor cooking, and various practical and creative tasks. These sessions blend play-based experiences with essential bushcraft and survival skills, from building shelters and creating fires to foraging for food and collecting water. Children also learn about plant identification, making cordage, and natural navigation; all while exploring and playing in a natural setting. Moreover, they have the chance to handle ‘real’ tools such as knives and axes and experience the excitement of lighting fires and cooking outdoors with ingredients from our very own allotment.
The programme is uniquely tailored to each group, maintaining a flexible approach that adapts to meet the specific needs and interests of the children. It supports young people in their personal development journey, enhancing skills such as confidence, self-esteem, and communication. Social skills such as turn-taking and listening are nurtured through games and shared activities, while reflections at the end of each session help reinforce the experiences and insights gained. As children progress through their pathway, they are encouraged to embrace teamwork and develop critical thinking skills.
Patterns of play are identified early in the programme, providing targeted experiences that foster and support children’s learning through their preferred learning styles. The overarching aim of Forest School is to promote holistic development, cultivating qualities such as teamwork, resilience, and self-confidence among all participants.
Available to Primary, Secondary, Special School and Home Educated young people.
At Trail Blazers Education, we recognise fishing as a therapeutic activity that greatly benefits the mental health and wellbeing of young people. By incorporating fishing into our Discovery pathway, we aim to not only teach children fishing skills but also demonstrate how these skills can be applied in the classroom and later in life.
The structured and repetitive nature of fishing provides comfort and predictability. For young individuals facing uncertain situations, the consistent action of casting and reeling offers a stable routine that can help alleviate anxiety. This activity requires the use of fine motor skills, which is especially advantageous for children experiencing heightened anxiety, as it helps to ease tension and channel anxious energy positively.
Moreover, fishing instils patience in young people as they await a catch. This waiting period nurtures delayed gratification, a crucial skill for stress management and developing emotional resilience. The thrill of potentially catching a fish brings excitement and a surge of positive feelings. When a fish is caught, it not only boosts a child’s confidence but also promotes a sense of achievement and fosters a positive mindset.
During the day, not only will young people engage in Fishing sessions led by our qualified angling coaches, they will also have the opportunity to indulge in a bushcraft lunch cooked around the campfire and play team building, problem solving games in our ancient woodland.
Available to Primary, Secondary, Special School and Home Educated young people.
We are passionate about using the Forest School approach for young people who need additional support to connect with nature, socialise, improve communication and develop early milestone skills.
As Therapeutic Forest Leaders we aim to meet the needs of children and young people with additional needs at Forest School. This may include: supporting children with attachment difficulties and developmental trauma; those requiring inclusive communication strategies; those with sensory processing needs, and children and young people with learning disabilities, autism and behavioural needs.
We achieve this through a structured programme which has been designed by a multidisciplinary therapy team, including Play Therapists, Clinical Psychologists, Yoga Instructors, Occupational Therapists, Family Therapists and Speech and Language Therapists.
Mindfullness and meditation
Developing Listening and Attention Skills
Wellbeing Activities
Understanding and Expressing Emotions
Sensory Input
Yoga and Mindfulness
Attachment and Connection
Nature Based Play
Our core mission is to break down the barriers to outdoor play, enabling us to fully harness the therapeutic advantages of Forest School. Forest School serves as an ideal setting for therapeutic intervention. It offers a profoundly rich, multisensory environment that fosters deep, meaningful learning opportunities.
‘OUR GOAL IS TO PROVIDE A RICH LEARNING ENVIRONMENT IN WHICH INDIVIDUALS ARE ENCOURAGED AND INSPIRED TO GROW IN CONFIDENCE, SELF-ESTEEM AND INDEPENDENCE THROUGH MASTERY OF ACHIEVABLE TASKS IN AN OUTDOOR SETTING’
We are ready and waiting to answer any questions you may have!
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Simon is a skilled and passionate angler with a natural hunter’s instinct. Starting his journey at a young age in the Kentish Stour Valley, he mastered the local gravel pits before setting a British record at Conningbrook, landing the legendary Two Tone at 65lb 14oz. He later achieved the ultimate prize, Colnemere’s Black Mirror, and became the first angler to catch two English 60lb plus carp, including the renowned Chertsey mirror at 60.4lb in 2015.
With his infectious enthusiasm, extensive angling knowledge, and exceptional coaching skills, He will help inspire and support our young anglers at Cottington Lakes, helping them elevate their skills to new heights.
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.
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.
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.
