Sussex FSA 3 in 1 CPD Days

What no Zoom? ..... With COVID-19 restrictions beginning to ease slightly in August, we were keen to bring local Forest School Leaders together for real.

With a lot of creative thinking, planning and ‘government guidance following’, the idea of 3 small CPD days across the county, running simultaneously, was born. Our committee split into 3 teams and set about sourcing suitable venues in the west, centre and east of the county. COVID safe workshops were scheduled, where restrictions could be accommodated and COVID safe practice maintained. ‘Training’ was included within the most recent government ‘exemption list’, so we felt safe that our CPD events could go ahead with measures put in place; despite the ‘Rule of 6’ reinforcement in the final 2 weeks leading up to the events.

We were greeted by a very wet morning as we all headed off to our respective venues, a throwback to last year’s FSA Conference, where webbed feet or rubber rings would not have gone amiss! Our 3 settings were very different indeed – A small, yet perfectly formed school site in the west, where a small gathering of just 6 Forest School Leaders revelled in the warmth of a tipi – socially distanced of course; whilst in the centre of the county a larger gathering of 30 signed in to an open field setting, donning waterproofs, with umbrellas as their only shelter; and in the east….. a castle!! 15 merry forest school leaders discovering and exploring the beautiful woodlands surrounding Herstmonceux Castle.

The events proved a great success across the board. Everyone welcomed the opportunity of being together in the outdoors again, meeting fellow forest schoolers to learn a new or hone a rusty skill; take part in activities and reflect on good practice, with out a computer screen in site!

So, what now …… We are off back to the drawing board. With many having expressed their preference of the smaller events, after the larger local events of the past two years – who knows what we might come up with next?! in 1 CPD Days - Saturday 3rd October

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What no Zoom? ..... With COVID-19 restrictions beginning to ease slightly in August, we were keen to bring local Forest School Leaders together for real.

With a lot of creative thinking, planning and ‘government guidance following’, the idea of 3 small CPD days across the county, running simultaneously, was born. Our committee split into 3 teams and set about sourcing suitable venues in the west, centre and east of the county. COVID safe workshops were scheduled, where restrictions could be accommodated and COVID safe practice maintained. ‘Training’ was included within the most recent government ‘exemption list’, so we felt safe that our CPD events could go ahead with measures put in place; despite the ‘Rule of 6’ reinforcement in the final 2 weeks leading up to the events.

We were greeted by a very wet morning as we all headed off to our respective venues, a throwback to last year’s FSA Conference, where webbed feet or rubber rings would not have gone amiss!

Our 3 settings were very different indeed – A small, yet perfectly formed school site in the west, where a small gathering of just 6 Forest School Leaders revelled in the warmth of a tipi – socially distanced of course; whilst in the centre of the county a larger gathering of 30 signed in to an open field setting, donning waterproofs, with umbrellas as their only shelter; and in the east….. a castle!! 15 merry forest school leaders discovering and exploring the beautiful woodlands surrounding Herstmonceux Castle.

The events proved a great success across the board. Everyone welcomed the opportunity of being together in the outdoors again, meeting fellow forest schoolers to learn a new or hone a rusty skill; take part in activities and reflect on good practice, with out a computer screen in sight!

So, what now …… We are off back to the drawing board. With many having expressed their preference of the smaller events, after the larger local events of the past two years – who knows what we might come up with next?!