Transitional Learning Programme

Specialist outdoor learning programmes to support students' social and emotional development.

Overall, studies of transitional learning programmes consistently show positive benefits on academic learning, and wider outcomes such as self-confidence. On average, pupils who participate in adventure learning interventions appear to make approximately three months’ additional progress over the course of a year. The evidence suggests that the impact is greater for longer courses (more than a week), and those in a ‘wilderness’ setting.

Educational Endowment Foundation

Forest School and outdoor transitional learning can help learners re-engage by improving mental health, self-confidence, resilience, and self-esteem. Also proven to build and maintain positive relationships with peers, social groups and trusted adults. We have found that learners gain an ability to access, understand, and appropriately display feelings. Learners also develop coping strategies for behaviour and learning.

Over the last 4 years we have built and continue to maintain an eminent reputation for supporting learners from primary to post-16; who have struggled, or are struggling with, educational engagement.

We have a highly experienced and qualified team of forest school workers, who liaise closely with the Local Authority, schools, parents and carers to ensure integrated support for each of our learners. Throughout our transitional programmes we work on matching learners and staff appropriately, developing and achieving bespoke, key targets for learners and supporting the social and emotional development of learners, with the aim of eventual reintegration into learning environments.

1:1 SESSIONS

We work with learners who may be at risk of Permanent Exclusion (PEX) or had fixed term exclusions. They often need support for other reasons such as behavioural difficulties or social and emotional issues.

GROUP SESSIONS

Our group sessions are run with a maximum ratio of 1:6 to ensure quality time can be spent with every student, while also encouraging a peer to peer element.

FUNDING AND REPORTING SUPPORT

The Outdoors Group understands there is an obligation to report when funding transitional learning programmes. We will provide full due diligence paperwork to schools engaging with our provision.

EMERGENCY PLACEMENTS

The Outdoors Group can provide emergency placements for learners who need provision quickly or require maximum flexibility.

That all students will have a bespoke one to one session based on learners’ interests and needs
That all of our TLP team are passionate using the natural environment to enable learning and growth
That all of our sessions provide the opportunity for social and emotional outcomes in order for them to reengage in education.
That all staff are suitable, highly skilled and passionate with a broad range of specialist qualifications and experience
To always have a qualified first aider on site
To provide the best toilets in the woods!

Our Transitional Programme Staff

Our team of Transitional Programme Workers are all DBS checked, first aid certified for outdoor learning, and fully qualified and experienced to work with vulnerable learners in the outdoors. Our staff place the wellbeing and positive development of each learner as a priority in every session and, as a company, we are fully compliant with current legislation including data protection, safeguarding, equality and diversity and child protection.

The Outdoors Group is aware of the vulnerabilities of learners using our services and the need to help protect them. We also know the importance of effective communication with schools and have excellent systems in place to ensure this works well for all involved, including contributing to the Team Around the Family (TAF).

Amanda Leach

MANAGER, OUTDOOR LEARNING INTERVENTION

Amanda has been working in the education system for about ten years both in America and England as well as directing outdoor adventure activities at summer camps in America. She enjoys bringing her passion for supporting diverse learners to the outdoors. In her free time she enjoys rock climbing and walking her dog in the countryside.

Mike (Bubs) Wale

Intervention Worker

Gary Cargill

TLP Worker

Gary works in TLP helping children with behavioural and special needs to learn new skills and provide them with a safe environment in which they can grow. He previously worked in outdoors activities teaching kids rock-climbing, kayaking, archery and other outdoors pursuits. Gary loves anything outdoors and has a real interest in self sufficiency, so he enjoys making things from carving to jam making and taking his family out on walks to see what they can forage.

Ben Seward

1:1 Outdoors Key Worker

Ben works in the Transitional Learning Programme providing 1:1 support for our learners. He has worked in outdoor education and pursuits for 5 years and strongly believes in the value of nature as a place for development and discovery. Ben enjoys music, kayaking and mountain biking.

Hannah Sutton

TLP Key worker

Hannah works for the Transitional Learning Programme (TLP) providing 1:1 sessions full of fun activities and lots of campfire cooking. She has a degree in Conservation Biology and used to volunteer at Paignton Zoo. Her number 1 hobby is crochet and Hannah loves making all kinds of things, especially cosy blankets.

Sheridan Couch

1:1 Outdoors Key worker

Sheridan has just joined the TLP team as a 1:1 Keyworker, based in Exeter and Okehampton. She worked for twenty years as a PE teacher before starting with The Outdoors Group. As a PE teacher Sheridan has always loved playing all sports, and she now enjoys watching sports, particularly cricket, rugby and hockey which her two sons play. Getting to work outdoors each day with children in the fresh air in a forest environment is a job she thoroughly enjoys.

Linda Stephenson

TLP Administrator

As the Transitional Learning Programme Administrator, Linda aims to keep the provision running smoothly and to help you with whatever query you have. She has been working in and around education for more than 20 years, in several different countries including the UK, Poland, Spain and Colombia. In her free time, Linda is happiest when baking or working on a creative project.

Frank James

TLP Worker

Jimi Neary

Senior TLP Worker

Rosie McGeorge

TLP Worker

Rosie works as part of the TLP team, providing 1:1 support and fun activities for our learners in the outdoors, which she loves. Rosie has just finished my degree in Psychology with a Professional Placement, where she worked at a special needs school for a year. She love the beach and going surfing, and also playing music.

Get in Touch

We offer a number of options for learners and have listed our standard programmes above. We understand all learners’ needs are different so we often tailor a bespoke programme to an individual learner.

We operate under service level agreements for our provision so that everyone is clear on the details surrounding the provision we offer.

We do not offer transport as part of our Transitional Learning Programme. It remains the referral agency’s responsibility to organise transport for learners to and from our Forest School sites.

For visits and enquiries, please contact our Transitional Learning Programme administrator on 07719 103200 or email tlp@outdoorsgroup.co.uk