Feedback from Schools
“The pupils have been able to develop and flourish in an environment where feeling safe, building trusting relationships and having the confidence to take risks is the foundation of the work.
The South West Outdoors Group (now The Outdoors Group) has provided vital alternative provision to children who find a mainstream educational setting challenging. The work that has been undertaken with pupils attending Forest School with TOG has played a pivotal role in the development of their social and emotional skills, particularly the development of tolerance and resilience in situations they find challenging in a mainstream school. The pupils have been able to develop and flourish in an environment where feeling safe, building trusting relationships and having the confidence to take risks is the foundation of the work.
Claire Norman
SENco at Exminster School
“Our children are loving a Exmouth Forest School, so much so that we have signed up for the whole year!
We have a very productive, active and fun afternoon session on a weekly basis. The children are encouraged to explore the woodland and they cooperate with each other to complete various activities and challenges.
Each session is different but at the same time for pupil safety a routine has been established. Children talk around the camp fire, work within a group and come back together to share their ideas whilst sipping hot chocolate.
The forest school team have worked closely with our school team to make curriculum links. Forest school has already supported our science curriculum, PSHE and maths. Our visit to forest school also provided some fantastic inspiration for writing. Our poetry is far richer having been to forest school.
I am confident that Exmouth Forest School will continue to have a positive impact on the progress levels for our children.
Sarah Padbury
Senior Teacher at Littleham Primary School
“I recommend Exeter Outdoors (now TOG) without reservation – a superb organisation!
I have used Exeter Outdoors (now TOG) to help with the delivery of Outdoor Education programmes at St James School, with a specific focus on bushcraft. As a bushcraft non-specialist, I was unsure as to what I should expect – Bear Grylls meets Ray Mears perhaps…?
However, the Exeter Outdoors(now TOG) staff were superb – incredibly knowledgable, very approachable, and able to strike up a rapport with my group instantly. The other immediately obvious characterisitic about the Exeter Outdoors (now TOG) staff was their passion for the outdoors, together with their desire to share this passion through passing on their knowledge and skills. I will always remember my group of potentially very challenging boys each being trusted with a very sharp knife, being taught how to use it, then spending two hours in near silence and they used their knives responsibly and safely in order to make their tent pegs and spoons!
All of the Exeter Outdoors (now TOG) activities I have done have allowed the students to make a real connection with the natural environment, and learn skills that have contributed towards a growth in knowledge, confidence and self-esteem. Another area where Exeter Outdoors excel is in their ability to draw out the best in the students, specifically in their ability to help students work together positively in an atmosphere of success and achievement. Reflection and review at the end of each session made this a particularly powerful tool. I recommend Exeter Outdoors (now TOG) without reservation – a superb organisation!
Steve Foster
Teacher at St James School
Feedback from Course Attendees
“ The new skills and confidence I have acquired have given me a new zest for learning so much more
Thank you so much. I have really enjoyed my time with The Outdoors Group very much. The new skills and confidence I have acquired have given me a new zest for learning so much more. I am seriously looking forward to sharing and growing in knowledge alongside the children I will teach. I found the teaching within The Outdoors Group empowering and creative, I now have a job that I am truly excited about and I have to pinch myself as it doesn’t feel real.
Tracie Carpenter
2019
“ Annie and Neil were two of the warmest, friendliest and professional trainers I’ve had the pleasure to meet
I would like to acknowledge just how wonderful I thought the course was that I went on. Annie and Neil were two of the warmest, friendliest and professional trainers I’ve had the pleasure to meet. From day one they made us feel very welcome and put us at ease. They were always happy to explain anything that you might be having trouble with. Even if the questions were repetitive. Always with a smile was their approach which was reassuring for everyone. They have a rare quality of establishing a great connection with all participants from the get go. All in all. It was a fantastic experience that I feel I have had the privilege to be part of. The woods there is a special place and you leave with special memories that will last a lifetime.
Craig Plowman
2019
Feedback from Parents
“ Today’s party was fantastic, Chris was brilliant with all the children
We had my son George’s birthday party at Exeter Forest School this morning, my son attended a party with you in May and hasn’t stopped talking about your bog of doom since. I should explain that my son is just on the autism spectrum and hates getting dirty but when I collected him he was very very happy and muddy. He will now splash in puddles and does more art work at school without so many complaints. Today’s party was fantastic Chris was brilliant with all the children, the setting and activities were perfect for kids of all ages. Two of the adults with me stated it was the best birthday party they had been too.
Rebecca Webster
“ The activities are well thought out, age appropriate & teach the children about the amazing environment around them
Just fantastic! My son & I both really enjoy our time in the woods. The sessions are well organised with some structure but freedom to explore.
The activities are well thought out, age appropriate & teach the children about the amazing environment around them. Nick is brilliant with the children & has oodles of enthusiasm & knowledge to share.
Rachel Austen-Rigby
“ Nick and the team are amazing and my usually anxious child had an absolute ball with them during half term
5*!! Nick and the team are amazing and my usually anxious child had an absolute ball with them during half term. She came home with a healthy glow, huge smile and totally awesome hand carved butter knife!! Thank you all, she will be back.
Amanda Merchant
