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1505 Educators providing Natural courses delivered Online

Fox Wood Forest School

fox wood forest school

Roydon

Fox Wood Forest School was founded in April 2016 and registered as a not for profit company in November of the same year. The following aims are at the heart of what we do: to support both physical and mental wellbeing of all participants through time in nature, adventurous play and connection with others to encourage children and families to connect with nature through play and exploration, so that they might be the ones to protect it in future to create a haven for wildlife within our local community Meet the team - All of whom live locally in Roydon and Diss Ange - Director - Chair Forest school leader, teacher and mother of three. I am passionate about giving children the opportunity to learn through child led play. I taught for seven years mostly in Norfolk, I loved the buzz and excitement of working with children, but was frustrated by the constraints of the school curriculum, so after a break to have children I explored other avenues. Through Suffolk Wildlife Trust I discovered Forest School - I had finally found what I wanted to do! What I love most about Forest School is seeing children gain confidence, resilience and independence. Watching the look of determination on their faces as they persevere with something challenging and seeing their pride and smiles of joy when they succeed is really special. Louise - Director - Secretary Mum of two who loves the natural world and getting creative. I hold a Level 3 qualification in Childhood Studies and I have worked with children and families for 16yrs+ in a variety of roles including; Nursery Nurse, Play Worker, SEN teaching assistant and Education Officer. I also run family art workshops, community art projects and illustrate nature connection activities Play.Make.Create.Art. I became a Level 3 Forest School Leader because it encompasses everything I’m passionate about, play and nature! Child led play is so important to help develop confidence, problem solving and resilience. Forest school promotes this with a connection to nature, encouraging learners to explore and be adventurous with freedom. Both my boys have benefitted hugely from forest school, improving their wellbeing and independence. I love to see them fully engaged in the natural world and confident to try new things, unplugged and free to play! Lorraine - Director - Treasurer Teacher, mum, home educator, avid supporter of forest school and regular volunteer at Fox Wood. I fully support the forest school ethos of giving children freedom to play in exciting and beautiful natural environments, enabling them to foster a love of the outdoors. The benefits I have observed for my own children include; increased confidence and a readiness to push and challenge themselves, they have gained new skills and have a greater consideration for the local environment. I would love to see this unique resource and essential childhood play experience available for the benefit of more local families. Jennie - Director Local mum, keen supporter of forest school and regular volunteer. I value the opportunity it offers for children in my local community to spend more time outside learning through adventurous play

Exeter Self Defence Academy

exeter self defence academy

4.9(24)

Exeter

AS A CHILD I WAS A BIG FAN OF MARTIAL ARTS MOVIES, ANYTHING STARRING BRUCE LEE IN PARTICULAR. WHEN MY PARENTS FINALLY HAD ENOUGH OF MY BROTHER AND I REENACTING SCENES AROUND THE HOUSE THEY SENT US TO KARATE LESSONS. MY MOTHER WAS A VERY SUCCESSFUL PRACTITIONER HERSELF. I STUDIED KARATE FOR ABOUT 10 YEARS, ON AND OFF, AND FELT CONFIDENT IN MY ABILITY TO DEFEND MYSELF, DESPITE NEVER HAVING PRESSURE- TESTED MY TRAINING IN THE REAL WORLD. I WAS BULLIED AT SCHOOL BUT TREATED IT AS A POINT OF PRIDE NOT TO RETALIATE. BESIDES, MY HANDS WERE REGISTERED AS LETHAL WEAPONS,SO IT WOULD BE UNFAIR AND IRRESPONSIBLE TO TURN THAT HUGE ADVANTAGE AGAINST AN UNWITTING ASSAILANT, RIGHT? AT 16 YEARS OLD I HAD MY RUDE AWAKENING. I WAS BADLY BEATEN UP BY THE JEALOUS, OLDER EX- BOYFRIEND OF MY THEN GIRLFRIEND. THE ONLY THING MY 10 YEARS OF TRADITIONAL TRAINING HAD ARMED ME WITH WAS THE MISGUIDED CONFIDENCE THAT SIMPLY PROLONGED THE BEATING. IT WAS CLEAR THAT THE SKILLS I HAD DEVELOPED IN THE DOJO WERE NOT TRANSFERABLE TO SELF- DEFENCE. A FRIEND OF MY DAD'S WAS A HIGH- LEVEL THAI BOXER, AND AFTER TELLING HIM ABOUT MY IDENTITY CRISIS HE INVITED ME TO HIS GYM. I COULDN'T BELIEVE MY EYES. PEOPLE WERE PUNCHING AND KICKING EACH OTHER. HARD. THERE WERE NO RITUALISTIC FORMS OR 'KATAS'. YOU PRACTISED A FEW SKILLS AND THEN YOU PUT ON YOUR GLOVES, PUT IN YOUR GUM SHIELD AND TRIED TO MAKE THOSE SKILLS WORK UNDER INTENSE PRESSURE. Lewis Kemp-Sloan, Owner I WAS WAY OUT OF MY DEPTH AND I LOVED IT. I KNEW THAT I WOULD BE FAR BETTER PHYSICALLY AND PSYCHOLOGICALLY PREPARED FOR CONFLICT IN THE FUTURE BECAUSE WE WERE IMMERSING OURSELVES IN IT EVERY TIME WE STEPPED INTO THE GYM. FROM THERE I WAS INTRODUCED TO THE GRAPPLING ARTS, SUCH AS BRAZILIAN JIU-JITSU, JUDO AND WRESTLING. I LOVED THE 'HUMAN CHESS' ASPECT OF IT; THE WAY YOU CAN DRAW YOUR OPPONENT INTO A TRAP AND THEN USE TECHNIQUE AND LEVERAGE TO THROW OR SUBMIT THEM. THE NATURAL PROGRESSION FROM THERE WAS MIXED MARTIAL ARTS (MMA), IN WHICH THE STRIKING AND GRAPPLING ARTS ARE COMBINED TO GIVE THE CLOSEST THING TO NO- HOLDS- BARRED, REAL WORD HAND-TO-HAND COMBAT IN THE SPORTING WORLD. THE MOST EXCITING THING ABOUT THIS SPORT FROM MY PERSPECTIVE WAS THE WAY IN WHICH PRACTITIONERS DEVELOP THEIR OWN STYLES, WHICH WAS FAR MORE PRAGMATIC THAN THE APPROACH I WAS USED TO IN TRADITIONAL MARTIAL ARTS. DURING A SUCCESSFUL COMPETITIVE CAREER IN MMA I WAS APPROACHED WITH THE OPPORTUNITY OF TEACHING CLOSE QUARTERS COMBAT TO LAW ENFORCEMENT OVERSEAS. IT WAS A DREAM COME TRUE. I WAS TASKED WITH DEVELOPING A PROGRAMME THAT WAS FUNCTIONAL AND EFFECTIVE. I MANAGED THAT PROJECT FOR ALMOST 10 YEARS, DURING WHICH TIME THE EMPHASIS ALWAYS CENTRED ON OUR CORE TENETS; PRACTICALITY AND EFFECTIVENESS.