Meet your trainer
Hi! I’m Jackie and Go Wild is my company. Go Wild is an accredited centre in its own right which means that everything is kept in-house from the development of the course curriculum, to assessments and quality control, meaning that you won't find another course or company like Go Wild.
I teach every aspect of the course, and I’ve kept my hand in over the years by running my own weekly forest school sessions in a variety of settings.
I’m lively and enthusiastic, and I use my obvious passion for learning in the outdoors to engage and inspire both children, adults and the occasional dog. I first heard about forest school when I was training as a primary school teacher, more than a decade ago. I found the education system to be outdated, full of pointless tasks and, quite frankly, joyless. Forest school sounded amazing!
So I trained as a forest school leader, started my own forest school and I’ve never looked back. In forest school I found my element, the thing that spoke to my soul and that this was where I could really make a difference to both people and planet. It gave me the freedom to teach how I wanted and to create a job I love. After years of practising, I can now share that passion and experience with you, all at your own pace and in your own time.
On paper, I am a qualified teacher, forest school leader and trainer, an outdoor first-aider, a skilled environmental educator and I have a PGDip in Education. I’m currently studying to gain a level 3 Advanced Certificate in Wilderness Therapeutic Approaches. I have worked for many of Bristol's green institutions including the Avon Gorge and Downs Wildlife Project, Bristol Zoo and the Wild Place Project and so I am uniquely placed to guide you on your forest school journey.
If you'd like to know how I ended up creating Go Wild, find out what motivates me by having a look at my blog.
When I’m not forest schooling, I can be found in the Wye Valley, generally getting muddy and enjoying the countryside, renovating my ‘fixer-upper’ house, or trying to tame my garden! I occasionally find time to make pottery, draw and do sound healing sessions with Tibetan singing bowls!
Throughout your course you will be in contact with me, as well as your fellow students, and will benefit from online support material as well as a flexible approach to assessment styles and a personal approach to training.