Tag: evaluation

Change X Change

 Change X Change is a new partnership which has been developed between East Lothian’s community planning partners and the Scottish Government to evaluate  the  Equally Well test site in East Lothian – Support from the Start.

This new partnership sees the creation of a small team at Queen Margaret University that is designed to bring the world of academic research together with the world of service delivery. Two members of staff have been seconded for three days per week for one year to work with academics and researchers at the university as part of a ‘firefly team’. See the link below to find out about ‘fireflys’

This approach to the evaluation of  Support from the Start will have the advantage of leaving a legacy beyond the report(s) that are produced at the end of the year. New networks and links wll be made, between the university and services which will be brought back to services along with the new skills of the two staff involved. The products at the end of the evaluation should also be better aligned to service need for the involvement of staff who have played a key role in the development of the test site and are aware of the issues confronting services in tackling health inequality

Support From the Start – evaluation proposal

Forest school research links

 Over the last year we have been able to deliver two forest school leader training courses for East Lothian staff. The places have been prioritised to staff working in the target communities for Support from the Start. 

The first group of staff that started the training last October are now delivering programmes in East Lothian schools – a minimum six week programme during which they are assessed.

I have encountered the view that forest school is all very well but in a time when we have to prioritise, is it important enough to invest time and effort into developing – usually this view comes with the challenge of wheres the evidence that it contributes to outcomes for health or learning. Well below is a list of research references for those that like their evidence hard and peer reviewed.

Personally I think the proof of the pudding is in the eating – go with children into a woodland environment and you will experience how their innate ability to be interested and curious about their world and to learn how it works comes easily to the surface, particularly if the adults with them can resist the temptation to be overly prescriptive and directive .

Maybe the Calvinist ghost in the Scottish psyche frowns on forest school – it sounds too much like fun – and if it is fun it can’t be good for you – can it?.

Summary of Research on Forest School References.

 provided by Aline Hill forest school trainer

 Borradaile, L. 2006 ‘Forest School Scotland: An Evaluation’, Edinburgh: Forestry Commission Scotland

http://www.forestresearch.gov.uk/pdf/ForestSchoolfinalreport.pdf/$FILE/ForestSchoolfinalreport.pdf

 Davis, B., Rea, T. and Waite, S. 2006 ‘The special nature of the outdoors: Its contribution to the education of children aged 3-11’, Australian Journal of Outdoor Education 10(2): 3-12.

http://www.oric.org.au/Resources/AJOE_22.html

Davis, B. and Waite, S. 2005 ‘Forest School: Opportunities and Challenges in Early Years ‘, University of Plymouth

http://www.edu.plymouth.ac.uk/oelresnet/documents/Forestschoofinalreport2.doc?page=17736

Eastwood, G. and Mitchell, H.2003 ‘An evaluation of the first three years of the Oxfordshire Forest School project’, Oxford: Oxfordshire County Council

 Copy obtained by email from OCC.  Not available on web but copy in the Forest School shared folder.

 Massey, S. 2005 ‘The benefits of Forest School experience for children in their Early Years’: Worcestershire LEA.

http://www.worcestershire.gov.uk/home/worcs_forest_school_research-2.pdf

Maynard, T. 2003 ‘Forest School Swansea Port Talbot: An Evaluation’, University of Wales Swansea: Unpublished.

http://www.swan.ac.uk/staff/academic/HumanSciences/maynardtrisha/

Maynard, T. 2007 ‘Forest Schools in Great Britain: An initial exploration’, Contemporary Issues in Early Childhood 8(4): 320-331.

http://www.wwwords.co.uk/rss/abstract.asp?j=ciec&aid=3133

Murray, R. 2004 ‘Forest Schools project evaluation: A study in Wales ‘, London: New Economics Foundation.

http://www.neweconomics.org/gen/uploads/bheolf55nxgesmexvhdh0v4529072004140937.pdf

Murray, R. and O’Brien, E. 2005 ‘”Such Enthusiasm – A Joy to See” An Evaluation of Forest School in England’: Forest Research.

http://www.forestresearch.gov.uk/pdf/ForestSchoolEnglandReport.pdf/$FILE/ForestSchoolEnglandReport.pdf

O’Brien, L. and Murray, R. 2007 ‘Forest School and its impacts on young children: Case studies in Britain’, Urban Forestry & Urban Greening 6(4): 249-265.

http://www.forestresearch.gov.uk/fr/INFD-5Z3JVZ

 Swarbrick, N., Eastwood, G. and Tutton, K. 2004 ‘Self-esteem and successful interaction as part of the forest school project’, Support for Learning 19(3): 142-146.

http://direct.bl.uk/bld/PlaceOrder.do?UIN=154203094&ETOC=RN&from=searchengine

 The two below are experimental studies of the benefits to children’s physical and motor skills form playing in a forest environment

Fjørtoft, I.2001 ‘The Natural Environment as a Playground for Children:The Impact of Outdoor Play Activities in Pre-Primary School Children’, Early Childhood Education Journal 29(2): 111-117.

http://gis.esri.com/library/userconf/proc00/professional/papers/PAP462/p462.htm

Fjørtoft, I.2004 ‘Landscape as Playscape: The Effects of Natural Environments on Children’s Play and Motor Development’, Children, Youth and Environments 14(2): 21-44.

http://www.colorado.edu/journals/cye/14_2/article2.pdf

Forest School (the Scandinavian model) is mentioned in this document as particularly promising approach to education outside of the classroom.

House of Commons Education and Skills Committee 2004-2005 ‘Education outside the classroom ‘, London: The Stationary Office.

http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200405/cmselect/cmeduski/120/12002.htm