The Outdoors Group Podcast

In this episode, I was thrilled to be joined by Ian from Our Spectrum Adventures. Ian and his 8 year old daughter, Eve, are currently walking the length of Britain to raise money for the National Autistic Society and awareness around autism. They kindly spared us some time on a rest day from walking to tell us about our adventures and we had a great chat talking about how their walk is going, the...

What a delight this episode was to make! We were very happy to be joined by Moose Mutlow, an experienced educator, swift water instructor, lead family liaison officer for Yosemite Search and Rescue and life long adventurer. We discussed a whole host of topics from barriers to outdoor education in the US, the Environmental Science Centre he’s overseeing the construction of, national parks and the l...

In this episode, I sat down with two members of staff from The Outdoors School to discuss the why, what and how of project based learning. We discussed what it can look like in practice, talked about real life projects they’ve recently facilitated and shared some top tips for those listening. We also touched on the concept of self directed learning and the importance of nurturing life long learner...

In this episode, I was joined by Masters Student Rosie Molton and our directors, Tom and Shev, to discuss how the use of outdoor learning environments for autistic students can benefit the adults working with them. We discussed Rosie’s findings and contrasted them with the experiences of us here at The Outdoors Group over the last 11 years. Inevitably, this organically turned into a wider discussi...

In this episode, I was delighted to go on tour to the beautiful Orchard Forest School in Brixham, South Devon. Once there I spent a very enjoyable hour in the company of Louise Loram, the lady behind this very special venture. We chatted about her journey to Forest School and the remarkable work she does from her Forest School sessions to her use of the governments kickstarter scheme to offer trai...

Nicki and Vicci’s beautiful podcast was part of the inspiration behind us starting this project, here at The Outdoors Group. So it was an absolute honour to wake up early one Tuesday morning and jump online for a chat with Vicci from Wildlings Forest School in Australia. We chatted about their journey to Forest School, the similarities and differences between how they do things and how we do it he...

In this episode, I was joined again by Shevek Pring, one of our directors at The Outdoors Group. We sat down to discuss what the purpose of education is and should be, the idea of learner led project based education and how we’re trying to do things differently at The Outdoors School. Our conversation during this episode can be embodied through a quote from Robert Kennedy that says “each time some...

In this episode, I was joined by Molly Mary Simmons, a Cornish based forest school leader and the woman behind Where Wildlings Flow. We discussed her journey to Forest School, how she found her Forest School Training course, how she’s using those skills now and her love of archery and wolves! Full of whimsy and joy, this is an uplifting and inspiring episode, guaranteed to put a smile on your face...

In this episode, I was delighted to be joined by the man, the legend, that is Neil Martin. Neil is our lead trainer at The Outdoors Group and storyteller extraordinaire. Neil has a wealth of knowledge and experience when it comes to storytelling and he was good enough to share some of it with me as we discussed the relevance storytelling still has, how to reach children and adults of all ages and...

In this episode, I was joined by the Headteacher of the Avanti Hall School in Exeter, Phil Arnold, for a conversation about the place of outdoor education and Forest School within mainstream schools in the UK. We discussed what outdoor education means to different people, the challenges teachers can face in facilitating it, the benefits it can have to students of all ages and it’s place in a post-...

In this episode I was delighted to be joined by Michael James, author of Forest School and Autism, and Andy Smith, founder of Spectrum Gaming. Ahead of their Key Note speech at our SEND Outdoors Conference in July, we discussed the benefits of Forest School for neurodiverse children and young people, the similarities between good Forest School practise and good autism practice, the biggest myths a...

In this episode, I’m joined by the headteacher of The Outdoors School, Robyn Vincent to talk about taking a different approach than the mainstream narrative when it comes to both education and parenting. We discussed what authenticity means in this context, how to have the courage to stand up for what you believe in and follow your own path and the importance of leading by example for both adults...

In this episode, I talk to Pete Shepherd and Rowan Pring about the therapeutic benefits of spending time outside. Both Pete and Rowan are trained counsellors with a wealth of experience and a passion for the outdoors. We discuss, among other things, the benefits of taking therapy outside for both adults and children, how to access these benefits in an urban environment, and in a non-therapeutic co...

In this episode, I’m joined by one of our company directors Tom Lowday, to talk all things play related! We discuss what real, spontaneous play looks like, the benefits of it for children and young people, how it can be used as an educational tool and how it can equip children with the building blocks they need to develop key social and emotional ‘soft’ skills. We focus particularly on play in an...

In this inaugural episode of The Outdoors Group podcast, I’m joined by one of the company directors, Shevek Pring to talk about his experience of outdoor education and its place within the national school system. We delve briefly into a history of education and discuss what education needs to look like in order to facilitate learners with the skills they need to be happy, successful and productive...