Full Name:… Jon Cree
Organisation/Freelance Bishops Wood Centre, Field Studies Council. Training Co-ordinator
(If you are involved with any organisation – please state the name of the organisation and position held).
Sector Experience/Skills (please rate, with X, each from 0 to 3: 0 = no experience, 1 = general background/experience, 2 = Strong relevant experience, 3 = direct relevant experience):
| Sector Experience | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 |
| Early Years Forest School | * | |||
| Primary Years Forest School | * | |||
| Secondary Years Forest School | * | |||
| Special Needs Forest School | * | |||
| Play Sector | * | |||
| Environmental Organisations involvement with Forest School | * | |||
| County Council Forest School | * | |||
| Academic Research for Forest School/Higher Education | * | |||
| Outdoor learning | * | |||
| Forest/Woodland management | * | |||
| Forest School Training | * | |||
| Other (please specify) Advice, workshops and speeches at national events for a variety of national organisations.
Worked with a variety of higher and further education establishments involved with Forest School Worked with other countries establishing Forest School |
* | |||
| Skills | ||||
| Media/Communications including social media | * | |||
| Business/Marketing | * | |||
| Fundraising | * | |||
| Events | * | |||
| Public Speaking | * | |||
| Other (please specify) |
Please indicate which role you would like to apply – job descriptions for the Treasurer and Company Secretary are attached.
| Directors
|
|
| Post | I would like to apply for this post on the FSA Board (please tick) |
| Director – Company Secretary | |
| Director – Treasurer | |
| Director – Fundraising | |
| Director – Without Portfolio | * |
Please tell us a bit about yourself (max 500 words), including;
- Why you are standing for FSA directorship?
I have been involved with Forest School at a national level since the establishment of the Forest School Special Interest group within IOL in 2008 and one of the founding directors of the FSA. I was elected chair of the FSA when it was established in 2012 and been chair since then. Having helped establish the FSA as the national voice for FS in the UK and represented the FSA in a variety of national contexts I now feel it is time to step down as chair. However I still have a passion for FS as a transformative educational pedagogy and wish to help support practitioners in their important work connecting people of all ages with the natural world. As I am standing down as chair, I feel, to provide some continuity, I wish to continue as a director and support the board in its core mission and provide support wherever I can.
The FSA is at a pivotal time of its development in launching the trainers QA scheme and organisational membership scheme which will be two key areas of work to support all the practise happening in the UK. There is also an even more essential role to play at a national advocacy level to influence an ever changing education system in all the countries of the UK. I feel with all the contacts I have built up over the years in a number of sectors I still have much to offer the FSA board of directors.
- Your Forest School experience (and this is not necessarily a pre requisite but you will need to have some basic working knowledge of Forest School)
I have been involved with FS since 2000, when Worcestershire CC starting developing FS in the county. Initially this meant supporting the start of FS provision with early years and primary groups at the centre I work – Bishops Wood, and supporting the work of the FS co-ordinator who facilitated the establishment and support for the training at Evesham College and supporting FS in settings throughout the county. Then in 2005 I started delivering my own FS programme to secondary and special schools visiting the centre, and in 2007 started up the FS training provision at Bishops Wood.
- How you personally can benefit the FSA.
Through the national contacts I have built up over the years both within the FS sector and the outdoor/environmental learning sector I can represent the FSA and provide an advocacy role.
Although I find it time consuming!, I can also write on behalf of the FSA and support the public education through this either in social or national magazine/news media.
I feel I can also help support the development of the training QA scheme and the development of a signposting service for effective CPD in FS.
- Please declare any special interests or affiliations with other organisations in the Forest School sector including commercial, public sector or voluntary.
I work as the Training Co-coordinator for Bishops Wood which is heavily involved with both FS training and related CPD. I also deliver CPD training for a number of other organisations in the UK and overseas that is related to FS
Your information will form the basis for the members to vote in advance of the AGM – and your personal commitment to your role as a Director and Trustee of the Forest School Association.
If accepted as a Director I confirm I will abide by the FSA Professional Code of Conduct & Memorandum and Articles and also the legal requirements and responsibilities of a Director as directed by Companies House in the Companies Act 2006 and the Charities Act 2011.
Signed: …Date:… 22.8.16
Full Name:… Jonathan Cree
Title: Mr
