Services for Schools

At Bear & Lapor we provide a range of bespoke services for schools. These include:

• Creative Outdoor Learning

  These are programmes of creative outdoor learning activities are developed in conjunction with staff, to meet the needs of a group or class of pupils.

  Activities include:

  • Developing & creating stories
  • Maths problem solving
  • Identification and use of natural resources
  • Science investigation & challenges
  • Campfires & cooking
  • Using natural resources for design technology & art
  • Navigation, Compass & map-work
  • ICT in the outdoors

  To create the programme we work with senior management and staff to design to meet your needs.

  Target Audience

  • Nursery Schools & Children Centres
  • Primary schools
  • Secondary Schools
  • Out of school groups

  
  

  This can be either at you site or off site at an agreed location.

  More info:

  Creative-Outdoor-Learning-15.pdf

• Forest School Adventure Club

  These are run in holidays at various locations across Bradford and Leeds. Look at "News" or contact Phil using the contacts page for up to date information.

  More info:

• Forest Schools

  Forest School is an inspirational process, which offers all participants opportunities to achieve, develop confidence and self-esteem, through hands on learning and play experiences in a natural environment.

  Forest School:

  • Is a long term process with frequent and regular sessions in a local natural space, not a one off visit.
  • Takes place in a natural environment to support the development of a relationship with the natural world.
  • Aims to promote the holistic development of all those involved.
  • Fosters resilient, confident, independent and creative learners.
  • Builds on an individual's innate motivation and positive attitude to learning
  • Offers opportunities to take supported risks appropriate to the environment.
  • Is run by qualified Forest School Practitioners who continuously develop their professional practice.

  At Bear & Lapor, Forest Schools can be delivered in various ways. An example would be:

  • Half-day sessions - morning/afternoon or full days can be delivered.
  • Groups of between 12 -15 pupils.
  • Each "group" to attend 6 Forest School sessions over a half term.
  • Skills and knowledge to be built up over these 6 weeks. Including:
  • Shelter building - knots, materials to use
  • Identification and use of different woods
  • Use of tools to make items like pegs, whistles, etc
  • Fire lighting & cooking
  • Woodland games and activities
  • Natural art

  To create the programme, we work with senior management and staff to design to meet your needs.

  Location:

  • This would be off site in the woods, unless your setting has an appropriate wooded area.
  • Public or private woods can be used.
  • We often use Blackhills Scout Campsite, Nr Wildsen, BD16 1LB

  More info:

  Forest-Schools-13.pdf

• School Grounds Assessment & Design

  Bear & Lapor work in partnership with schools on projects to design and use grounds in a creative way to develop children's:

  • learning and attainment
  • social skills and behavior
  • health and wellbeing
  • enjoyment & achievement

  The process has 3 stages:

  • Site Assessment Working with staff and pupils to assess the current use and the potential of school grounds
  • Design Process Developing plans as to how the grounds can be altered and improved or just used in different ways to facilitate greater outdoor learning & play.
  • Delivery of plans Working with staff and pupils to assess the current use and the potential of school grounds
  
  

  Impact of using the outdoor classroom effectively

  By helping young people apply their knowledge across a range of challenges, learning outside the classroom builds bridges between theory and reality, schools and communities, young people and their futures.

  Quality learning experiences in 'real' situations have the capacity to raise achievement across a range of subjects and to develop better personal and social skills.

  More info:

  School-Grounds-Design-13.pdf

• Continuing Professional Development & Team Building

  We create a variety of outdoor learning development courses and events to meet your needs.

  They can be entirely focused on Team Building or on specific subjects, e.g:

  • Maths
  • Literacy
  • Art
  • Science
  • Or any mixture!

  
  

  Target Audience

  • All staff - Teachers, Teaching Assistants & Practitioners.
  • Plus office staff, site support staff & lunchtime staff.
  • Run a different Governors meeting, by having part of it focused outdoors.

  Dates - We are able to arrange dates tailored to your particular needs.

  Costs

  • The scope and length of the programme drives the overall cost.
  • We are happy to discuss budgets and tailor programmes accordingly.

  Location: This can be either at the school or organisation's site or off site in the woods at places like Blackhills or Sconce campsites.

  More info:

  CPD-15.pdf

• Camps & Residentials

  We support a variety of camps and residential programmes, from delivering a full residential experience to supporting your own events with specialist activities and advice. The scope & length of the programme, plus venue and catering arrangements, drives the overall cost. We are happy to discuss budgets and tailoring programmes

  Some possible programme appraches:

  • Competition across the event
  • Team Building
  • Team Challenge Competitions
  • Survival
  • Celebration Events

  More info:

  Camps-&-Residentials-13.pdf