Outdoor Education
Association for Outdoor Therapy Conference – 8/9 November 2025, National Outdoor Centre Mountain Training Trust, Plas y Brenin, North Wales
At the Association of Outdoor Therapy Conference I delivered an outdoor physical activity session at this event using the outdoors and natural landscape, incorporating a variety of somatic movements, Pilates exercises, breathing exercises and sensory awareness, this practical workshop will help us understand how our bodies respond when we slow down.
These outdoor learning sessions can be tailored and delivered for individuals and groups.
PREVIOUS EDUCATIONAL PROJECTS
Erasmus Guidance Seminar – Dublin, Ireland – 6-8 November 2019
The aim of the seminar was to facilitate networking among organisations, experts and practitioners from across Europe in the fields of providing guidance and coaching. Key speakers delivered lectures of building resilience, coping skills and managing change within Adult Education and Vocational Education and Training). Learning objectives were to extend knowledge to those involved in providing services and provision whilst enhancing continuing professional development.
Erasmus Work Experience Placements
Leonardo da Vinci Project VET Education, Language, Culture & Work Experience in Tenerife Project No: 163059
Two Schools from Birmingham, 12 students and their PE teachers took part in a fully funded 3 week work mobility placement in Tenerife funded by Leonardo da Vinci. Sarah Grocutt, Project Manager applied for funds via Ecorys. The funding enabled students to study their vocational fitness instruction course, Spanish and undertake work placements in industry.
Students worked in 4 organisations to gain work experience in health, fitness and leisure.
“The Leonardo project has enabled me to use all my skills which I learnt, coaching tennis and martial arts. The experience has helped to develop confidence, manage money on a budget, improve my linguistic skills. I made friends from Turkey and Germany. These transferable skills will help me with my future career as I plan to study business and management at University”. Highly recommended.
As well as undertaking cultural activities students also had the chance to attend a lecture by Dr Javier, a local expert on altitude training, this gave us all an incredible insight into the psychological and physiological demands placed upon the cardiovascular system in high altitude training.
Mount Teide (El Teide) is a volcano. Its summit 3,718m is the highest point in Spain and the highest point above sea level in the islands of the Atlantic. The volcano is part of the Teide National Park. The vegetation of Tenerife is diverse and the plants are unique to the Canary islands. Students prepared for a hike to part of the Teide National Park where they integrated their knowledge of their vocational personal fitness instruction in an outdoor environment.
Language Learning
Learning Spanish on week one at the FU Academy gave students a basic knowledge of how to get around Tenerife, the following weeks, Spanish was tailored to the individual students work placement
“It was a good balance between free time to visit places of interest combined with work experience. The intense Spanish lessons at the Language Academy has given me the confidence to go and use my linguistic skills in shops and cafes before going on placement”. Amazing experience.
On completion of the work experience students received their Diplomas, combining work experience, references from business and schools and a ‘Europass’, a Certificate to show competencies and achievement gained within an international environment. To view video of project: http://www.fitness-excel.com/trainingandeducation
Project Education Award
The project won a highly Commended Award for the National Centre for Languages, with 100 applicants competing for this Award throughout the UK, this was an honour to receive and a presentation took place at Europa House, Westminster, London.
International Collaboration
Educational Study Visit in Finland
As part of an international study visit, I joined education and sport professionals from the UK and Europe to explore the Finnish approach to physical education, health and wellbeing.
Based at the Vierumäki Institute of Sport, a leading centre for education and sports science, the programme included visits to schools, research into sports conditioning and rehabilitation, and discussions on international approaches to physical education and coaching. The project also provided opportunities to experience traditional Finnish outdoor activities and examine the role of movement in promoting health and wellbeing.
The visit strengthened my interest in international education, outdoor learning and the benefits of physical activity across different cultures.
SG Tutoring has also hosted students from the Vierumäki Institute as part of an Erasmus work experience programme, supporting the delivery of sports and dance activities for children.
Global Partnerships in Malta
Stage Malta focuses on student international internships. Having participated in various EU projects including life long learning, Erasmus +, it hosts students and teachers for work placements in environmental projects, hospitality, business and management, leisure, science, health and well-being.
A student internship in a global environment can help with work and life experience, gaining experience in your field of expertise by undertaking job training with professionals.
Science for Girls Day – Light Hall School, Solihull
This day was dedicated to promoting science for girls. The day comprised of teachers, businesses, lecturers from the University of Birmingham teaching on how chemistry can be applied to Cosmetic Science industries and an industry expert from Loreal.
Students used models and clay as Sarah demonstrated a practical lessons in building muscles of the human body and building them onto the model.
SG Education 