Hi,
I work as the outdoor education teacher in Branas - school for boys not in full time education.
Day to day work includes organising, inspecting and resourcing equipment, creating and updating risk assessments and planning future activities. more importantly, I plan and run the outdoor education programme, which focuses on developing and providing opportunities to teenage boys. the activities will very from waterpsorts, rock climbing , navigation and mountain walking depending on seasonal conditions and stages of their ability. i have started to get accreditation for some of the training I deliver, so these boys can gain some sort of credit for their work.
My history is in freelance instructing in South Wales, the Peak District and North wales, specialising in gorge walking, coasteering and climbing but have run loads of hill walking and team building activities, team leader and coach developer in a large residential centres, focusing on train the trainer and rope trainer sign offs.
What I have done with my quals! I spend most of my free time teaching our staff to become independent practitioners (teaching to lead climb both indoors and outside, sport and trad). I help train and develop offsite programmes at work and give our instructors the required skills to lead groups in the Clwydian hills.
Extras! I have attainder and used the Climb4All course, tidal validation for the RCI, become a tutor and run NNAS courses. I have gained my ERCA and spend a lot of time inspecting high ropes courses.
I really benefit and gain a lot from watching other instructors have an impact on many people lives. I used to love that feeling when I was an instructor but knowing I can have an exponential effect from the knock on effect from training and mentoring other instructors gives me a better feeling.
my new role allows me to see big differences with boys that have had challenging backgrounds and offer challenging behaviours. this will help expand my experience.