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 2015 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.
* Schools include Bredhurst Primary, Danecourt School, The Discovery School, Greenfields School, Maidstone and Malling Alternative Provision, Sevenoaks Primary, St George's at Wrotham, as well as The Princes' Trust.
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
I am a member of the Forest School Association and am on the Steering Group for FSA Kent & Medway
Dave Brook-Child
From an early age I loved to make things and have always had a deep appreciation of the countryside. I have always enjoyed learning new skills and so at the age of sixteen I trained as a master upholsterer. Twenty five years ago I joined a re-enactment society where I learned traditional green woodworking (including spoon carving), metal working and leather working skills.
Later I became interested in traditional bush craft and survival skills and I began a journey of gleaning the skills I would need as I had a dream of teaching others. That dream became a reality a few years ago when I was employed by a local charity to work with disaffected youth in a Forest School setting. Since then I have gained a PTLLS certificate as well as qualifying as a level 3 Forest School Practitioner. Recently I received training in mental health first aid.
Over these last few years I have worked with many different students from all key stages, as well as adult clients. I have managed learners with additional educational needs including ASD and ADHD as well as depression and other mental health issues.
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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Adult Mental Health First Aid
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Level 4 PTTLLS (Preparing To Teach in the Lifelong Learning Sector)
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MIDAS driver training
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Children’s Safeguarding, Food Hygiene and Health & Safety
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Enhanced DBS check
I am a member of the Forest School Association and am on the Steering Group for FSA Kent & Medway