The Outdoors Group Podcast

In this episode, we were delighted to be joined once again by Beverley Garland from The Outdoors School to discuss the alternative approach that we take to Key Stage 4 provision. We discussed the rationale and theory behind taking a learner led and project based approach and how it works in real life. It was a really interesting conversation and really highlighted how this stage of education can b...

In this episode, we were delighted to be joined by Maria and Harry from Right to Roam, an organisation campaigning for a Right to Roam Act in England “so that millions more people can have easy access to open space, and the physical, mental and spiritual health benefits that it brings.” We discussed the history of the right to roam; how the Land Reform Act in Scotland is working out, why land acce...

In this episode, we were delighted to talk to Alistair Whitby, Project Officer at the Ouse and Adur Rivers Trust. He joined us to discuss an amazing project, in which they took on the mammoth task of rerouting a Sussex waterway called the Broadwater Brook. We chatted about the logistics of such a huge task, how they engaged with and up-skilled the local community and the incredible changes they sa...

In this episode, I was thrilled to be joined by Nick Murphy, Head of Forest School at The Outdoors Group to talk all things Forest School! We chatted about the six principles of Forest School, why it’s such a counter cultural approach to working with children, it’s benefits for both attendees and practitioners and some of Nicks favourite moments from working in the woods over the last decade. We h...

In this episode, we were delighted to talk to Lars Atkins, who has recently completed a fairly phenomenal ascent of one of the Alp’s most treacherous mountains, the Matterhorn. We discussed what keeps him returning to the mountains, how to persevere in the face of adversity, and the amazing charities that he was fundraising for. Whether you’re a keen climber or outdoorsy person or just an armchair...

In this episode we were delighted to be joined by Craig Vincent, the Head of Teaching and Learning at The Outdoors School. He took an hour out of his jam packed schedule to talk to us about the innovative curriculum that we use at the school. We explored what constructivism actually means, trauma-led learning, our unique three-stage curriculum, and the importance of setting learners up for a life...

As we approach a decade of delivering Forest School Leader Training, we thought we’d sit down with our Lead Trainer, Neil Martin, to discuss the course. We chatted about exactly what it involves, why people choose to do this training, and his experience of working with hundreds of people over the years to get them started on their Forest School Leader journey. As always when talking to Neil, we ha...

In this episode, we were delighted to be joined by Andy Dunstan and Dawn Williamson from the Wheeled Access Group in Devon. WAG work with the Moorland Guides group to develop routes on Dartmoor that are accessible to people using mobility scooters and also lead guided walks on these routes. We chatted about how the group formed, and their experience of discovering and guiding accessible routes ove...

In this episode, we were so privileged to talk to one of the world's most respected explorers, Jim McNeill, and Lucy Reynolds who is joining him on his next adventure. We discussed what Global Warrior UK does and why it's so important, their upcoming Resolute Expedition, climate change research, citizen science and a whole lot more! It was an absolutely fascinating conversation and we were so grat...

In this episode, we were delighted to talk to Matt Lewis, Engagement Manager at Paignton Zoo. We borrowed him from a busy zoo full of teenagers to discuss conservation, their approach to education, inspiring young people, and why they kept their workshops outdoors after covid. We had a fantastic time chatting and hope you enjoy listening as much as we did having the conversation.

In this episode, I was delighted to visit The Husbandry School in South Devon to join one of the founders, Carole. We settled on a sunny veranda to discuss the principles of the ancient tradition of husbandry, how their project has grown over the years and their approach to working with young people with special educational needs. It was a beautifully thoughtful and gentle conversation and we hope...

In this episode we were thrilled to be joined by Lewis Matthews, PT, author, and adventurer. We talked about his incredible accomplishment of running New Zealand’s 3000km Te Araroa trail, his thoughts on stoicism, what really matters in life, and the appeal of uncomplicated, simple living. You can read all about his adventure in his book ‘I Tried To Run Really Far: The physical and emotional battl...

In this episode, I went on tour to Escot and Totnes Forest School to talk to some of the young people at our Home Education groups. I spoke to them about how they find home education, what they like about forest school, and what their ambitions and dreams are. Impressive and entertaining in equal measures, this was a really fun episode to produce and we hope you enjoy listening to what our attende...

In this episode, we were delighted to be joined by Claire and Kate, two home educating parents who have 30 years and 6 kids worth of experience between them! They joined us to chat about why parents may choose to home educate, how it works in practice, and the challenges and highlights that their home education journeys have presented so far. We talked about some of the most commonly asked questio...

In this episode, we were delighted to talk to Dr Naomi Fisher, an independent clinical psychologist and EMDR consultant. Naomi specialises in trauma, autism, and alternative approaches to education. We had a fantastic conversation discussing everything from the psychology of learning to the importance of play, from what motivates young people to learn to the value of video games. This is a must li...

In this, the first episode of our third series, we were delighted to be joined by Sam Kendall, Head of School Learning at the Eden Project. Sam chatted to us about the mission of the Eden Project, the educational work they do, their story based approach to education, and the what and why of their new programme for Early Careers Teachers. It was a fascinating and engaging conversation to have and w...

In this episode, I was delighted to be joined by Ben Weeks and Dougie Stein. Ben is the founder of Barefoot Crew 5k, a barefoot world record holder and better known as The Barefoot Daddy. Dougie is head of Pastoral at The Outdoors School and a barefoot and ice bath enthusiast. They joined me to discuss why people choose to go barefoot, the benefits of doing so and how people can get started. We al...

In this episode, I was thrilled to be joined by Paul from the Devon Wildlife Trust and one of our directors, Tom Lowday. We had a chat about what the Devon Wildlife Trust does, their successful Wildlife Champions project and how he uses our Forest School Leader Training in the work he does. We also had a conversation about the idea of natural literacy and how to empower the young people we work wi...

In this episode, I was really privileged to amplify the voices of Em and Clare, two members of a group that have been working tirelessly to try and protect our right to wild camp on Dartmoor and to promote the Right to Roam Act. You may have seen in the news the recent case between a local landowner and Dartmoor National Park regarding wild camping and in this episode, we discuss what’s happened s...

I was delighted to be joined once again by our well-being officers, Rowan Pring and Pete Shepherd, for a conversation that left me feeling encouraged and sustained for the dark wet evening I went out into. The overarching theme of our discussion was self care and being kind to yourselves as we navigate a time of year which many people find challenging. They offered some practical tips and advice a...

In this episode, I was joined by Tash Furmidge and Tim Dexter from Asthma and Lung UK to talk about air pollution, it’s links to climate change and their Clean Air Champions scheme. We discussed what air pollution is, the dangers it causes, and what can be done to lessen the impact of it. For anyone interested in finding out more about anything we spoke about, please head over to their website at...

In this episode, we were delighted to be joined by two gents from the Moorland Guides cooperative, Richard Gooding and Phil Watson. They joined me to talk about how they became mountain leaders, their favourite groups to take on the moors, accessibility and mental health benefits, and why Dartmoor is such a special place for them. To find out more about what the Moorland Guides offer you can visit...

It was a pleasure to be back in the cabin at Exmouth again to join Head of Forest Schools at The Outdoors Group and master crafter, Nick Murphy, to talk all things spoons. He told us about how he came to carving spoons, his relationship with crafting and his mental health, the concept of slojd and how the spooning community influenced all of this. It was a warm, insightful and cheering chat and I...

In this episode, I was joined by Sami Grover, author of ‘We’re All Climate Hypocrites Now’ and our very own chartered environmentalist, Pete Morgan. We spent the afternoon discussing why the fossil fuel industry loves to peddle the myth that individuals need to be doing the work to fix the climate crisis, how guilt isn’t particularly helpful, embracing imperfection, and looking at stories of hope...

In this episode I was joined by Leone Ellis and Daisy Thomas to talk about play therapy, and in particular, the benefits of taking it outside. We discussed what play therapy is, who it’s for, how it works and it’s place within the educational and social systems in the UK. We chatted about the Association of Outdoor Play Therapists, the importance of happiness over maths and how, as therapists, the...