Trailblazer through the ages

Trailblazer Advanced Training Day - Wed 2 Nov 2011

Following on from the success of the Conference three years go, we ran a whole day of curriculum-based outdoor learning.  It included an update on latest good practice nationally, inputs from exemplar schools and three one-hour practical workshops.

Trailblazer Outdoor Learning Conference 2008

A second Trailblazer conference was sucessfully run on 7 October 2008 at New Place near Bishops Waltham. The day included inputs from some of our Trailblazer schools, updates on outdoor learning in Hampshire and the national Learning Outside the Classroom Manifesto and a range of active, practical workshops.  Another one was requested by the participants straight afterwards in the feedback forms .... and so it was to be in 2011!

University of the First Age

The Outdoor Service are pleased to have been working with the forward-thinking UFA. The UFA are based in Birmingham and have supported learners with practical ways to apply the latest educational research to their learning. We are pleased to have undertaken training with many of our Trailblazer schools and outdoor partners using the UFA to help maximise the learning potential in all Trailblazer and outdoor activities. Another pair of Trailblazer /UFA training days were on the 17th November 2006 and 16th March 2007, and offered opportunities to put thinking skills and personalised learning into practice in the outdoors. Keep checking back for details of any more we have planned.

Foundation Trailblazer

The first Foundation Stage Trailblazers have been piloting the scheme at settings all over the County. Working with advisers from Early Years, these new young Trailblazers are accessing ideas and resources to use their outdoor spaces more effectively - whether this is adjacent school grounds, community parks or a postage-stamp garden! Those working in Foundation Stage settings or Infant Schools can access the Trailblazer Foundation Kits, with lots of useful and exciting equipment to use in your outdoor environments. Contact the Trailblazer office for more details.

Trailblazer grows across the County

Trailblazer now has approaching 200 schools and youth groups actively involved in the scheme. More and more schools are requesting places on training days, having heard of Trailblazer from current schools. Last summer a record number of youngsters, from Infants to 16 year olds received certificates in recognition of their efforts in outdoor learning. Congratulations to all who have achieve Green, Bronze, Silver or Gold Awards and especially to those who, last summer, recieved the first Platinum Awards for 150 hours work! We are expecting even more awards during this summer term and have had to recruit more support from colleagues to help validate these with schools and groups. Please see the Training Courses page for details of the next opportunity to get your school or group involved.

Trailblazer Research

Summer 2005 saw the end of a year long study of outdoor learning in Trailblazer schools by an independent researcher from Kings' College, London. Patrick Dowd visited three schools over the academic year to observe and evaluate their Trailblazer activities. We're pleased to see his conclusions supported our expectations - that outdoor learning is good for you! View a copy of his full report

The first Trailblazer Conference - October 2005

Our inaugural Trailblazer Conference took place in October 2005 with 95 people joining together to celebrate successful outdoor learning and share ideas. The day included fantastic inputs from three of our Trailblazer schools, showing just how effective using the grounds and off-site visits can be for infants, primary and secondary youngsters. Participants took part in workshops ranging from storytelling to climbing the new Hampshire mobile tower. A great success, we hope to hold another conference in the future.