Mark Burr
I am a Level 3 qualified Forest School Practitioner. I have worked with children, young people and adults in the outdoor environment for nearly 20 years although my interest goes back to a younger age. I still have the book ‘Survival for young people’ which I bought aged 11 for 45p (new!) and practiced as a child in the days when it was felt safe for us to go out to play and explore as long as we were home for lunch and dinner. When I was 19, I spent 5 months going through Africa top to bottom which consolidated my love for being outdoors.
I am a Director and co-founder of Wild Times Woodland Adventures, a Community Interest Company, set up in April 2014 to deliver Forest School and associated outdoor skills, learning and fun to all ages. Wild Times has a dedicated 10 acre wood with a small lake (perfect for pond dipping) near Bearsted, however can also come to you. I have experience working with children from Reception class to Year 11, as well as 16+ NEETS. * I am also a qualified trainer and have run adult / corporate training in the outdoors.
Prior to setting up Wild Times, I worked as part of Maidstone & Malling Pupil Referral Unit (Year 10 and 11 excluded pupils) for 7 years with a focus on the outdoors. Previously I spent 10 years working at Medway Secure Training Centre (Juvenile Secure Unit) where amongst other things I ran the Duke of Edinburgh Award with successful expeditions on foot and by canoe. If you are looking for someone to work with children / young people who struggle in the school environment then I can assure you I have the experience! (N.B. This work would take place at our woods). Oh, and I ran a Cub Pack for 10 years too.
I hold the following qualifications:
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Level 3 Forest School Practitioner
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Wilderness First Aid
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Basic Expedition Training Award (CCPR)
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Instructor – Air Rifle target shooting (The National Small-Bore Rifle Association)
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Level 2 Woodland Survival Skills (OCN)
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Completion of full of Adult Training (The Scout Association)
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Children’s Safeguarding, Food Hygiene and Health & Safety
I hold an Enhanced DBS check