Ground-breaking SEND conference to take place in Devon
The Outdoors Group is holding its first ever conference ‘The Benefits of Outdoor Learning’ on July 6 with a programme designed for those working outdoors with students who have special educational needs and disabilities.
DFE stats from 2021 show that of all pupils in England, 12.2% had special educational needs (SEN) support. With the right support and educational provision in place for their individual needs, children and young people with SEN can excel, which ultimately, will help them to achieve their potential by finding paid employment, living independently, or attending university.
Exactly what type of support and provision works best for young people with SEND clearly differs from person to person – there is never going to be one size fits all. One option is to take learning outdoors, and The Outdoors Group’s special schools cater for those who flourish away from the noise, bright lights, crowds and general hubbub of many mainstream schools.
The successes and experience gained from the schools and the group’s Transitional Learning Programme for those needing time out from their main educational setting prompted the idea for the one-day conference, which will focus on how neurodiverse learners can be supported and empowered to achieve through outdoor learning.
Three impressive keynote speakers have been lined up. Headline speaker is celebrity gardener Alan Gardner who was diagnosed with autism in his 50s. Alan presented Channel 4’s The Autistic Gardener and is a Cultural Ambassador for the National Autistic Society, helping the charity to have a positive impact on people living with autism and campaigning to champion the rights and interests of autistic people and their families.
He is joined by Michael James, the author of Forest School and Autism, a book that works to fill an existing gap between forest school practitioners, autistic people and those who support them; and Andy Smith, founder of Spectrum Gaming, an online community for autistic young people which works to create a community and friendships.
Additional active and participatory workshops led by experienced practitioners from The Outdoors Group will cover a variety of topics to encourage different ways of thinking. In his workshop ‘Running with Wolves’ Seamo Teare will focus on autism, anxiety, and demand avoidance. Play therapist Leone Ellis is demonstrating the use of play therapy tools to help build strong relationships with children. Neil Martin explores the power of storytelling whilst Amanda Leach looks at ways of using forest school principles to manage behaviour that challenges, and how to translate these into strategies for the classroom setting.
With networking opportunities enabling delegates to share experiences and make useful contacts, the conference promises to provide a uniquely informative insight into how learning outdoors can be the breakthrough for many young people who struggle in mainstream education.
Co-founder of The Outdoors Group, Shevek Pring said: “We’re genuinely excited to be holding our first conference, facilitating a day of learning, inspiration and the chance to share experiences - attendees will gain greater knowledge as well as learning about best practice.
“There’s more and more acknowledgement in the world of education about how opportunities for outdoor learning can make a huge difference to young people who just don’t fit comfortably into the traditional classroom environment. This event both highlights the need for taking education outside and celebrates what’s already being achieved.”
The conference venue is Embercombe, a sustainable 50-acre rewilding estate in Higher Ashton on the edge of Dartmoor.
To find out more or book, click here
