Caerphilly Outdoor Education Service offer a range of professional development courses as follows:
First Aid
We run practical first aid courses specifically aimed at teachers and youth leaders. The courses are hands on, simple and a real departure of classroom-based courses. The courses, which can be tailored to suit your needs, focus on real first aid situations and are ideal for Forest School practitioners, Duke of Edinburgh's Award leaders and anyone else who wishes to learn first aid. One and two-day courses are available. These are ideal for inset and staff training days and are also great for teambuilding.
Rescue Emergency Care (REC) believes that access to first aid and trainer training should be inclusive and as such it ensures that individuals from all walks of life have the opportunity to train or be trained in first aid. REC specialises in training the first aid trainer so that organisations can fulfil their own training needs once he or she has been fully qualified. Our HSE approved and Rescue Emergency Care accredited first aid courses are practical and innovative in nature and bring a fresh dimension to learning first aid.
For further information visit www.recfirstaid.net.
Level 2 Award in Basic Expedition Leadership
The Sports Leaders UK Level 2 Award in Basic Expedition Leadership is a nationally recognised award that trains and qualifies teachers, youth workers and other members of the community to:
- Lead groups in lowland areas
- Have responsibility for the care of others when outdoors, including day journeys
- Organise base and mobile camps
The award is the minimum qualification required by many local authorities, and operating authorities of The Duke of Edinburgh's Award scheme, to train and lead groups in the expedition section of the Bronze and Silver Awards. The award counts towards the service section of all three awards in The Duke of Edinburgh's Award Scheme.
For further information visit www.sportsleaders.org.
Walking Group Leader
This award is for leaders of walking groups in summer conditions in non-mountainous hilly terrain, known variously as upland, moor, bog, hill, fell or down. Such areas are often subject to harsh weather conditions, requiring an element of self-sufficiency and this scheme will help you develop the necessary skills and experience.
Registration Requirements:
- Minimum 18 years of age and 12 months hill walking experience
- Membership of an affiliated mountaineering club or a mountaineering council
- An interest in leading groups
For further information visit www.mltw.org
Trail Cycle Leader
SMBLA Award Scheme
The Scottish Mountain Bike Leaders Award scheme (SMBLA) was developed by Scottish Cycling (formerly Scottish Cyclists' Union) in conjunction with the Scottish Advisory Panel for Outdoor Education in order to provide a framework and qualification for leaders to deliver mountain biking as a safe and enjoyable sport and activity.
The SMBLA Trail Cycle Leader Award (TCL) is the first level of the scheme, and consists of a two-day training course followed by a one day assessment.
The qualification is aimed at leaders working with groups in AALA defined non-licensable terrain:
- On public highways, way marked routes and legal rights of way on which cycles are permitted
- On routes with low to medium technical demands
- In terrain no more than 30 min walk away from shelter and communications and no more than 600m above sea level.
For further information visit
www.scuonline.org.
Teaching Orienteering
A one-day course which introduces the basic concepts of teaching orienteering. Activities range from Foundation Phase through to KS3. The course is practical and includes a visit to Parc Penallta. The Teaching Orienteering course is run by the British Orienteering Federation and comes with a CD full of resources.
For further information visit www.britishorienteering.org.uk.
Outdoor Learning Card Training
Developed by the Outdoor Education Advisers Panel, this is a training course for staff working with young people who wish to develop active outdoor learning ideas on a school site or local open space. Covering four areas of work Orienteering, Bouldering, Journeying and Teambuilding, the course comes with a handy set of resource cards and a CD with loads of ideas for work.
For further information visit www.oeap.info/aboutus.htm.
Group Leader Training
This is another course developed by the Outdoor Education Advisers Panel. The course covers the hazards encountered on basic school trips such as road crossings, open spaces and water. It also covers management strategies that can be used by teachers and youth leaders within their groups.
For further information visit www.oeap.info/aboutus.htm.
Outdoor and Adventurous Activities in the Foundation Phase
This course was developed at the request of teachers in the Foundation Phase who wanted to introduce some adventurous activities they could use with younger children. It covers maps skills, journeying, fire making and creative work in the outdoors.
Introduction to the DofE
This course aims to provide an understanding of the Duke of Edinburgh's (DofE) mission and its guiding principles, as well as relevant DofE Leader information and details on the structure of the DofE and its international links.
During this module delegates should also have the opportunity to network with other Duke of Edinburgh's volunteers.
For further information visit www.dofe.org.
DofE Expeditions Assessors Accreditation Course
The new Expedition Assessor Accreditation Scheme was launched in January 2008 and opportunities to attend the scheme are available across the UK. All expedition assessors who attend the scheme will be nationally accredited and will have national recognition and transferability.
The aim of the new scheme is to prepare, train and accredit assessors to undertake expedition assessments.
The course will:
- Ensure a common understanding of the role of the Expedition Assessor
- Ensure a more consistent interpretation of the DofE and the expedition section
- Establish a positive and supportive approach to the assessment process
The scheme is divided into two levels, which are outlined below:
- Bronze/silver Expedition Assessor
- Gold Expedition Assessor
An overseas expedition module will also be developed in the long term. This course is open to anyone who wishes to become an Expedition Assessor.
For enrolment details, please contact your regional DofE office.
Consultancy and school based training
Experienced staff from Caerphilly Outdoor Education Service can visit your school and work with you to develop your Outdoor and Adventure Activities opportunities to suite your resources, facilities and staff. Please contact the centre to discuss your requirements.