Teachers from schools in the Highlands attended a one day forestry education seminar on Friday 2nd June at Abriachan Forest. 

The teachers were introduced to new resources and ideas that will encourage them to use the outdoor natural environment as a teaching platform in the class-room. 

The day was organised by Careers Scotland, Abriachan Forest Trust and the Highland Education Initiative (FEI) - an organisation that provides learning resources about trees and forest products.   They provided all teachers with a directory which lists organisations in the Highlands who are willing to host visits by schools and provide educational material for schools. 

Careers Scotland and Excellence in Education through Business Links (EEBL) provided the teachers with information on how they can gain experience from participation on work placements that relate to forestry and the environment.  The knowledge and skills that they learn can be put to practise with the pupils in the classroom. 

Jenny MacRae from Careers Scotland was there on the day to talk about EEBL but also took part in the workshops organised by Suzann Barr from Abriachan Forest Trust.  She said:  "It was a great day for gaining hands on experience with environmental organisations.  The teachers have now acquired a taster of environmental and forestry skills which they can now pass on to their pupils by using practical examples in the curriculum.  They will have more contact with key organisations though teachers' attendance on related work placements and pupils can think about forestry and the environment in their chosen career."

Forest School leaders explained how the concept of Forest School works so well with different age and ability groups in the school grounds situation as well as out in the woods.  Forest School has proved to be a significant enhancement to mainstream education, leading to improved self-esteem, self-confidence and communication skills for participants. 

Mr Eddie Broadley from Kingussie High school and four of his enthusiastic pupils gave an interesting presentation as to what rural skills involve.  The career opportunities open to students studying rural skills was an eye-opener to everyone present. 

Kingussie High School and Glenurquhart High School are the two schools in the Highlands that have piloted rural skills which is a vocational programme leading to Scottish Progression Awards. 

Toni Clarke from Grounds For Learning, the school grounds charity for Scotland gave a demonstration as to how the organisation can support schools, teachers and pupils interested in developing environmental projects using their school grounds. 

More information about the Focus on Forestry day at Abriachan and the case studies from teachers who have been on placements can be found on www.hie.co.uk/eebl-teacher-placements.html