Little Chatters

21/08/2026

If you've ever engaged in a session with me, I will l have facilitated in some way utilising the P4C approach, whether that was a Global or Outdoor Learning session. My next P4C Level 1 is in March, online. Read
more below about the value of P4C. Or book on my next course here.
https://www.thoughtful.org.uk/courses/level-one-course-9/
https://www.facebook.com/share/1AMoNRBdgd/

What's the strongest evidence for Philosophy for Children? It's not that it makes children better at tests – it's that it makes them better thinkers.

Two separate research reviews (2018 and 2025), covering dozens of studies and thousands of children worldwide, both found the same thing: P4C has a strong, consistent effect on children's critical thinking – reasoning, questioning, and evaluating ideas – even when its effect on standardised reading or maths scores is much smaller.

That's exactly what philosophical enquiry sets out to do. Read more about the research behind P4C https://www.thoughtful.org.uk/about/p4c-research-evidence/

11/08/2026

On a slow travel through Holland, Germany, Denmark and Sweden with the family for our summer break. Couldn't resist a visit to Hans Christian Andersens house and museum whilst staying near Odense.

Really looking forward to getting started on the With Tales for Children project as I was reminded of the power of fairytales.

13/07/2026

Well that is another academic year coming to a close. Just 3 more schools left to visit for me this week, meetings and a tonne of admin.

I have turned my attention to the 26/27 academic year, so please do take a peek at my updated website to read about opportunities for schools focused on Global and Outdoor Learning and Oracy and Thinking Moves. This includes heavily subsidised Climate Fresk training, training, , Thinking Moves in the Outdoors and of course my favourite the Schools Outdoor Learning Network.

If you want to be added to my database to receive updates, including linked funding information, invitations to join research projects and much more, please do drop me an email [email protected]

 Most of our training is delivered as whole school training at your setting as a closed course, so we only offer one or two open courses a term. Find out more about our bespoke courses and whole school training (via twilight training or through school INSET days), or please do get in touch ! Ple...

10/07/2026

Thankyou so much High Hesket C of E School for your brilliant entries to the Schools Outdoor Learning Network logo competition and of course being valued members advocating for Outdoor Learning in Schools.

We are delighted to see that elements of a Year 6 pupil’s winning design have been included in the final logo for the Outdoor Learning Network,alongside contributions from two other schools. Thank you Gina Parker 'Mullarkey' for providing this opportunity for the pupils involvement.

We particularly love how the rainbow, trees and river from her original design have been incorporated into the finished logo.
What a fabulous achievement!

07/07/2026

I am pleased to see support building for and an entitlement for every child. So many familiar stories presented within the bill - children's time outside in huge decline, children who haven't visited the local beach on their doorstep. climate and of course declining mental health.

As a strong advocate for Outdoor Learning in Schools I have the privilege of working with many schools who exceed the 30 minutes outdoors during the school day mentioned as a target in the bill, but am of course aware many schools are no where near this figure for all pupils. That said, with prisoners having access to 1 hour a day outdoors, this should be easily achievable through curriculum and playtimes. Positive steps.

25/06/2026

Gosh, a warm and great day as always at the NW Schools Sustainability Conferences So many great schools in attendance, familiar faces and new and such articulate pupils.

The last 2 places on the Forest School Training in the Autumn term led by Lily Horseman Kindling: Playwork, Training, Forest Schools and creative workshops were snatched up, but luckily we are repeating this course on Tuesday 2nd March, kindly hosted by Kendal Nursery School at Brantfield The aims of this course were chosen by the Schools Outdoor Learning Network and if your school is a network member you can grab 2 discounted places on this training at £35 per person rather than £50. Please get in touch if you need the discount link for this. Or of course if you would like to join the Schools Outdoor Learning Network with its many benefits. I've included a flyer about the course and the network below. Full rate booking fee for the training here- https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/forest-school-cpd-tickets-1992510718195

21/06/2026

Just so many interesting projects to get involved with at the moment, this one is for those working with nursery age children. I am involved as a coach in 'Talk with Tales for Children' - TWiTCH project and you have until the end of July to apply! This EEF trial (in its 3rd year) has recently been opened up to settings in Cumbria and Lancashire. Here is a full list of the areas covered:

North West: Bolton, Bury, Blackburn, Cumbria, Knowsley, Lancashire, Liverpool, Manchester, Oldham, Rochdale, Salford, Sefton, St Helen’s, Stockport, Tameside, Trafford, Warrington, Wigan, Wirral

East Midlands: Derbyshire, Nottingham.

Yorkshire and the Humber: Barnsley, Bradford, Calderdale, Doncaster, Kirklees, Leeds, Rotherham, Sheffield, Wakefield, York.

TWiTCH is a professional development programme for early years practitioners. In the TWiTCH programme we use dialogic reading prompts and specific language structures to encourage meaningful conversations to support children's langauge development.

Full details can be found on the TWiTCH project website.

Before you register your interest please watch our TWiTCH (EEF) Efficacy Trial Explained - A Guide for Practitioners and Settings film and read the Settings ...

19/06/2026

I am excited to be offering a new course in 2027 - 'Thinking Moves Outdoors'. I have long been a fan of Dialogue Works Thinking moves programme and use them a lot in my practise linked to oracy and thinking skills and in particular .

Spaces on this new course will be limited to just 12 participants and will take part over 3 sessions, including a Thinking Moves session in the outdoors, kindly hosted by Grayrigg Primary School and Nursery . Discounted places are available to Outdoor Learning Network member schools as part of their annual membership for 2027.

Another timely course with the recent DfE release of the enrichment framework and of course the forthcoming oracy framework.

Full details are available on the flyer, please do get in touch to ask any questions or to reserve a place. [email protected]

18/06/2026

I am really pleased to share that the Outdoor Partnership Cumbria are supporting the Schools Outdoor Learning Network again. This time I have 20 FREE places to the network for Primary, SEND and AP settings in West Cumbrian Schools.

Membership to the network for 2027 is £50 for the year normally, so a great opportunity. 10 of the FREE memberships have already been snapped up. With so many benefits included, for example 4 CPD events a year, further discounted training, linked resources and information on funding this is a great time to join for West Cumbrian Schools.

Please get in touch if you are interested. Full details on the Outdoor Learning Network flyer. [email protected]

17/06/2026

I have just been reflecting on the enrichment framework that the DfE announced on the 15th June. My work focuses on Outdoor, Global Learning, Oracy and Thinking Skills, all of which link to this new framework. In particular I am thinking of all of the Schools that I work with as part of the Schools Outdoor Learning Network. Having read some of the linked case study examples of good practise, many schools who are part of the network are already excelling!

The 8 benchmarks for the framework are:

· A strategically aligned enrichment offer
· A broad and well-rounded enrichment offer
· A well-communicated enrichment offer that celebrates participation and achievement
· An enrichment offer shaped by the school or college community
· An accessible and engaging enrichment offer
· An enrichment offer that works in partnership
· An outcomes-focused enrichment offer
· A continually improving enrichment offer

The enrichment areas - linked activities, are highlighted as at a minimum the
following 5 categories (of course most are interwoven into many areas of my work, not just the more obvious, nature and climate)

- civic engagement, for example volunteering, debating, school and college democracy, community engagement
- arts and culture, for example, taking part in and having live experience of music, art, dance, theatre, other expressive arts, visits to museums and galleries
- nature, outdoors and adventure, for example time outdoors, climate education and sustainability projects, gardening, residentials and camps
sport and physical activities, for example participating in individual and team - - sports, physical activities like dance, fitness activities or cycling, representing the school or college, attending live events
- developing wider life and future skills, for example digital literacy, STEM clubs, cooking, managing finances, enterprise and (for colleges only) teaching Relationships and S*x Education

For me it is about seeing these enrichment activities interwoven into school's curriculums, not just an add on. Yes, the regular events, such as gardening club or annual trips are important, but through embedding in the curriculum it then becomes a regular offer to all students. Case study examples of this approach are included in the framework.

This therefore ensures the many benefits, including as identified in the framework:

· school or college engagement, educational outcomes and progression
· social and emotional development
· physical and mental wellbeing
· school or college belonging
· essential skill development
- wider community engagement

Lots to think on. 🤔