Full Name: Kathryn Barton
Organisation/Freelance: Kent Wildlife Trust | Community Education Officer, Forest School
(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 | X | |||
| Primary Years Forest School | X | |||
| Secondary Years Forest School | X | |||
| Special Needs Forest School | X | |||
| Play Sector | X
|
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| Environmental Organisations involvement with Forest School | X | |||
| County Council Forest School | X | |||
| Academic Research for Forest School/Higher Education | X | |||
| Outdoor learning | X | |||
| Forest/Woodland management | X | |||
| Forest School Training | X
|
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| Other (please specify) Adult groups, including people with mental health issues | X
|
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| Skills | ||||
| Media/Communications including social media | X | |||
| Business/Marketing | X | |||
| Fundraising | X | |||
| Events | X | |||
| Public Speaking | X | |||
| Other (please specify) Partnerships with diverse organisations | X
|
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 | ü |
Please tell us a bit about yourself (max 500 words), including:
Why you are standing for FSA directorship?
- To undertake a more extensive, active role in promoting Forest School locally and nationally
- To contribute to the aims of the FSA and encourage greater membership
- To collaborate with other Forest School professionals to share and promote best practice
- To share my knowledge and experience and continue my professional development by learning from others
- To promote sustainable, well managed Forest School use of the natural world
- To represent the Wildlife Trusts and disseminate information in both directions
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)
- Qualified, experienced Level 3 Forest School practitioner
- Initiated, set up and manage the Forest School project as part of Kent Wildlife Trust’s education provision
- Experience of Forest School delivery on KWT sites and outreach sites, in both woodland and school grounds, including Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI)
- Experience of working with landowners and local authorities to set up Forest School sites
- Wide experience of groups from preschool age to adult, including SEN schools and adults with mental health issues
- Forest School research projects in partnership with Canterbury Christ Church University
- Recruiting, training and managing KWT Forest School leaders
- Providing placements and supporting level 1, 2 and 3 trainee Forest School practitioners
- Currently undertaking a further teaching qualification
How you personally can benefit the FSA
- Extensive Forest School experience, as shown above
- A passion for Forest School and the importance of re-connecting people with nature
- 18 years’ experience of community engagement and outdoor education in the charity and voluntary sectors in different areas of the country
- Knowledge and experience of woodlands, woodland management and conservation
- Working for Kent Wildlife Trust provides me with access to a bank of knowledge and expertise and wider networks with other Wildlife Trusts and conservation organisations
- Knowledge and experience of Health and Safety, from risk assessments to tree inspections
- Knowledge and experience of Forest School and organisational policies and procedures
- Experience of working with schools, including consultation and mentoring towards setting up Forest School programmes in their grounds or local woodlands
- Partnership work with colleges and universities, including a programme of FS experience workshops for student teachers
- Partnership work with a wide variety of organisations, including local authorities, community groups, charities, conservation organisations and the voluntary sector
- Experience of stakeholder meetings, steering groups and committees, including chairing
- Experience of funded projects, planning and reporting
- Experience of marketing, including production of marketing materials
- Professional attitude, excellent communication skills and well organised
- Friendly and approachable
Please declare any special interests or affiliations with other organisations in the Forest School sector including commercial, public sector or voluntary.
- Employed by Kent Wildlife Trust
- Wildlife Trusts South East Region Forest School Network
- Connecting Children and Nature Network (Canterbury Christ Church University)
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: Kathryn Barton Date: 22 September 2016
Full Name: Kathryn Barton
Title: Ms
