Borders
Neurodiversity
Support for
Young People





December 2023



Forest and Outdoor Learning at Selkirk High School





Judy Paul from Newbattle Abbey College has started to run a Forest and Outdoor Learning Award programme for young people in S3 at Selkirk High School with funding from Harris Trust.


The programme is very much in keeping with the aims of the Harris Trust with a person-centred approach to learning. The award is inclusive and accessible for all, with assessment which is flexible and appropriate for participants. The young people have choice over activities and can move between activities allowing them to determine their own learning and the pace of that learning. This supports motivation, confidence and resilience enormously. In addition the combination of the person-centred approach within a nature based setting brings health benefits which support those with neurodiversity and promotes good mental health. The programme is running for 10 weeks and during this time young people will be introduced to nature discovery, species identification, making shelters using knots and tarpaulins, using hand tools, woodcraft, and cooking with sustainable practice underpinning all. They will achieve an SCQF level 4 award which will be a great confidence booster for going into S4.





In two weeks, the group have already managed to erect shelters in cold, windy conditions, boil Kelly kettles and make some useful woodcraft items with wood from trees that had been uprooted. Their natural curiosity, creativity and team work is coming to the fore and they are already achieving many learning outcomes for their award whilst having a lot of fun!





Forest School and selkirk pupils in action



Forest Schools have been growing in popularity in recent years as a way to give young people the opportunity to learn in an engaging and nurturing way while enjoying and appreciating the outdoors. The pupils of Selkirk High School have been working towards a Forest and Outdoor Learning Award which is accredited by the SQA where upon successful completion of the course will achieve an SCQF Level 4 Award. This is a useful qualification for those wishing to follow this as a pathway in their future career or as an opportunity to gain valuable life skills which are transferrable to other sectors.


We are funding this initiative and it is being delivered by Judy Paul, Lecturer from the Forest College at Newbattle Abbey College, Dalkeith. Selkirk High School pupils have been given the opportunity to get hands on and learn skills such as outdoor cooking, tool making, campfire building, ropes and knots, and den building. Working with young people in this environment helps to develop their confidence, problem solving skills, communication as well as benefitting their mental and physical wellbeing.


Working in a forest school setting also gives young people the opportunity to develop a respect for the natural environment inspiring a lifelong love of the outdoors.