A lot of years have passed since I was a child and enjoying outdoor activities at my primary school. We regularly walked down the country lanes studying trees and plants, paddled in the stream and generally engaged with what the Farmer’s Weekly Magazine called ‘Country Spotter’ activities. Outside school, each month I received little green booklet through the post, to complete with poems, articles and drawings. And I did it with my sisters, unaccompanied by any adult. Nobody was checking on our risks and Health and Safety.
I am not saying we should be back exactly to those old days, but I am hoping to reassure that our approaches to risk are pragmatic. When told we couldn’t guide a small group of young ‘uns to use stepping stones in the shallow stream because it was too dangerous, I could not believe that officials are so unaware of what is best practice. Today Forest Schools give great opportunities, similar to my childhood ones, with intelligent, planned risk taking and I love that they do!
There is however, one element of risk that I am fierce about – that is the need to look after learners who could be exploited by a paedophile, or be suffering some type of abuse at home or church. We have a Zero tolerance and will always follow-up on any hints of these threats, reporting through the official channel on Cornwall Council safeguarding website. As Director, I take the lead on this.
Folder of Policies
You will find my own certificates and insurance details by clicking here. Policy Docs