Application to become a Director and Trustee of the Forest School Association
Name:……Helen Martin…………………………………………………………………………
Organisation/Freelance:…Graffham CE Infant and Duncton CE Junior Schools………………………………………………………………………….
(If you are involved with any organisation – please state the name of the organisation and position held).
Sector Experience/Skills (please rate 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) | ||||
| 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 – Without Portfolio | √ |
Please tell us a bit about yourself (max 500 words), including;
- Why you are standing for FSA directorship?
I feel that I have a lot of skills to offer the Forest School Association. I have been a supporter of the association and its vital role for forest schools nationally since the initial meetings thinking about the process of developing and designing a new association. I am completely committed to creating a support network that gives each forest school leader and trainer in the country one place where they will receive key advice, inspiration and contacts to further quality experiences for children in their care. I feel that I can bring the ability to bring communities together through marketing, fundraising and public speaking, to enable more educators to learn about the unique opportunities that forest school can offer all children and adults alike.
- 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 leading Forest School for 6 years within my Federation of two rural schools in West Sussex of which I am Headteacher. This is now totally embedded into the culture of the Federation and children spend considerable time in local woodland, creating a place which is loved by all. I was then able to secure funding from the locality of schools and from South Downs National Park, and in partnership with Bishopswood Centre, I have co-trained 3 cohorts of Level 3 Leaders, along with Level 1 and 2 assistants. Extensive and sustained CPD has also extended all skills of forest school leaders, ensuring that their knowledge is continually updated. Due to this project, all 17 local rural schools are now thriving forest schools.
- How you personally can benefit the FSA.
I have skills in Leadership, communication and public speaking. I have secured funding for my own locality, advertised the work that we have done through lectures nationally and locally. As a Headteacher, I am able to bring the issues of school focussed forest school to the FSA; along with the needs and requirements of schools, in order to reach the ideal scenario of forest school becoming embedded into the school curriculum.
- Please declare any special interests or affiliations with other organisations in the Forest School sector including commercial, public sector or voluntary.
None.
