John Muir Award for outdoor learners

Primary 6 and 7 pupils walked just over half of the famous trail, from Melrose to Kirk Yetholm, spending four days walking the route, which has led to them being awarded a John Muir Trust Discovery Award.

Teacher Nicola Cowe organised the trip, which featured team building exercises and orienteering, as well as chances to try wall climbing and journeying challenges.

Nicola told The Southern Reporter this week: “The school are extremely proud of all of the class who have been awarded a John Muir Trust Discovery Award for completing 40 hours of outdoor learning.

“This involved keeping a scrap book of wilderness challenges, walking, camping and following the John Muir tasks of discovering, 
exploring, conserving and sharing a wild place in their local area.”

A conversation with Anna Craigen of the Woodland Trust - who helped the school create a maths and fitness trail ready for the August term - inspired Nicola to get in touch with the John muir Trust.

She explained: “The John Muir Discovery award is awarded to individuals who accumulate at least 40 hours of outdoor learning whilst also keeping a log on ‘discovering a wild place...’

“Living in the foothills of the Cheviots and having the St Cuthberts Way on our doorstep meant we were really up for the challenge!”

The class had to discover, explore, conserve their area and share their experiences. We filled in a proposal form outlining what we intended to do and how we would achieve the criteria. The trust then accepted and registered us.”

Nicola is rightly proud of her young charges: “At the end of term, after our log books were completed and the evaluation forms filled in and sent, we were informed by the trust that we had achieved the award, and the children were presented with their certificates and badges.

“This was a massive personal achievement for all of the children and for a small country school.”