Let’s face it. While the FSA Recognised Forest School Provider scheme is well respected as a benchmark for good Forest School provision, the ‘Recognised Introductory Forest School Provider’ version of the scheme is not loved.
What is the difference between the two versions of the scheme? Very simple.
An FSA Recognised Forest School Provider has demonstrated that they meet 5 principles of Forest School in the context of a long term Forest School programme (the 6th principle).
An FSA Recognised Introductory Forest School Provider has demonstrated that they meet 5 principles of Forest School within the context of a short (Introductory) Forest School programme.
That’s it.
Unfortunately, the feedback we are getting, particularly through the Local Groups Forum, is that some people feel judged about the fact that they are unable to offer long term Forest School programmes in their setting. There is also a suggestion that the term ‘Introductory’ may be seen as a reflection of the quality of the Forest School provision rather than as a description of the offer.
Now, to be perfectly honest, there is nothing much we can do about the first concern about people feeling judged for offering shorter term Forest School programmes. Things are as they are and people face the constraints that they face. The FSA does not judge anyone for that. Like you, our focus is to promote the added value of long term provision. Like you, we wish things were different and that everyone could offer long term Forest School programmes. Long term Forest School programmes work best. That’s why Forest School is partly defined as being a long term process. Like you, we are doing our best to try to change things. To help decision makers understand the benefits of Forest School, to help open the purse strings. The FSA is working on initiatives that will do these very things if we get the support that we need. It will take time to achieve the changes that we would like to see.
The very purpose of the FSA is to send this message. In the meantime, we want and need to support those providers who understand and follow the Forest School ethos. That is why the ‘Introductory’ version was added to the FSA Recognised Forest School provider scheme. So that the FSA could recognise those providers who were offering good Forest School programmes, even if they were constrained in the duration of the programmes being offered.
The term ‘Introductory’ is, of course, problematic. We can see how it could be misinterpreted. But what word could replace it? The staff and directors haven’t come up with a better word that still communicates what is being recognised. We have also asked the Local Groups representatives if they can come up with anything better.
Between us this is what we have so far (try not to judge):
- Nascent
- Exordium
- Trailblazer
- Pioneer
So, the question we would like to put to you is … if not ‘FSA Recognised Introductory Forest School Provider’, then what?
Please tell us what you think in the comments below. Do any of the above options work? Do you have something better?
Thank you in advance.
I think “introductory” is better than any of the other 4 suggestions. Having just started a 6 week programme today (all the school are currently willing to pay for) I feel like these kids will just be dipping their toes in the water. I hope that the school will see enough benefits after 6 weeks to continue to fund the programme so I’ll run it as if it is going to continue beyond the 6 weeks. Maybe “foundation” would be a good way to describe it, because it’s something that can be built on. But as most of our projects are a minimum of 12 weeks and the majority a lot longer, I know that the impact won’t be as deep or as sustainable after only 6 weeks. So, I do think that there needs to be a distinction and agree with your reasons for making it
Recognised Forest School Short Course Provider or Recognised Forest School Provider (Short Course)? It’s a difficult one, but a really important one. I like the Endorsed and Recognised, but this would mean changing those providers who are already ‘recognised’ into endorsed. So the FSA recognise short term courses and endorse longer term providers.
You could call it forest school ‘activity provider’, which takes away the indifference and judgement, that people feel when faced with the term ‘introductory’. It is a question of grammar and I think by giving recognition as an ‘activity provider’, you give credit to those who run an excellent provision but are not necessarily in a position (currently) to run a continuous programme of activities. I am currently starting up and it would be great to be work towards something and then eventually achieve the provider award when/if possible. The only difference is known by those in the sector and if the public or an organisation asks, its easy to explain the difference – one long term programme of activities the other is short term programme of activities.
If people are unhappy with the term then you isolate them and I see forest schools as a collective of organisations, working together to achieve the same goals. Its just a thought.
Really tough one – from the thesaurus only “preparative” would seem adequate to me.
Hello Sarah. The Trainers QA scheme is a quality assurance scheme. It is because we have determined high quality that we can endorse individual trainers. The provider scheme is not a quality assurance scheme. Rather it measures against minimum benchmarks. Technically, we do not know about the quality of the Forest School provision being offered. Having said that, we do know that Recognised FS providers are offering Forest School, which is more than we can know about anyone else. As such we do signpost to these providers. Therefore we are endorsing them. Perhaps it is time to relax our position about endorsement.
Thank you, Gareth for this very clear explanation of the conundrum.
Endorsed and Recognised as the two options like the Trainers?