Educational Partners
Wales Council for Outdoor Learning
The Wales Council for Outdoor Learning (WCfOL) brings together stakeholders involved in Outdoor Learning in Wales. It recognises that each has a valuable role to play in contributing towards a collective, coherent voice for Outdoor Learning in Wales. Built on an ethos and foundation of being Collaborative, Proactive, Strategic, It acts as a platform for partnership working, utilising the wealth of experience of organisations, to work together for the benefit of Outdoor Learning, and all involved.
Cadw is a supporter organisation, and the Lifelong Learning team engages with partners and members to enable activity at our sites, which adds to the outdoor learning offer across the curriculum and beyond. As part of Welsh Government, we don’t engage in lobbying aspects that Partners and Members in the group may undertake.
One of the highlights each year is Wales Outdoor Learning Week (WOLW), an annual event organised by the Council to promote outdoor learning across Wales, celebrate work already being done, and encourage others to get involved. How might you get involved in WOLW?
For further information about Outdoor Leaning see Outdoor Learning | Wales Council For Outdoor Learning and follow the councils social media https://x.com/WalesCouncil4OL for updates around outdoor learning activity
Remember to tag @WalesCouncil4OL and #OutdoorLearningWales as well as @Cadwwales if you undertake any outdoor learning activity at our Heritage sites across Wales
‘Food and Fun’ School Holiday Enrichment Programme
Food and Fun is a school-based education programme that provides food and nutrition education, physical activity, enrichment sessions and healthy meals to children during the school summer holidays. Starting as a pilot run by Cardiff Council in 2015, Food and Fun has developed into a national, fully funded Welsh Government programme administered by the Welsh Local Government Association (WLGA). WLGA rolls-out the programme by working closely with local authorities and partner agencies. 'Food and Fun’ School Holiday Enrichment Programme.
Cadw has been from early days, and continues to be, an active supporting partner; proving a wide range of heritage based activities, across Wales, that seek to engage the young people in their history and make heritage fun, to inspire them to explore further and visit their local historic environment and our sites. Over the years, some 5000 children have been able to enjoy heritage in their holidays, through Cadw’s participation. And Michael Sheen even joined one of our sessions in Neath.
Cadw sessions are limited and go quickly, so we urge organisers to contact us quickly, to book slots, once announced. And we encourage all those that participate to link any social media about their Cadw sessions to @Cadwwales
Children’s Festival of Welsh History
The Festival’s purpose is to encourage interest and enjoyment, mainly amongst children, relating to Welsh history, and create unique opportunities to learn about characters and stories from the past; discover sites of historical importance, and celebrate Wales’ rich heritage.
The festival was first held in September 2015, following one of the festival’s Board members, Eleri Twynog, seeing a performance for children, based on the story of Henry Tudor, at Raglan Castle. It was a thrilling experience which planted the idea of holding an annual festival at locations all over Wales, to celebrate Welsh history.
The festival is not for profit, and every September and October, over a period of six weeks, heritage sites come to life with performances; workshops and exhibitions. As well as live events, many sessions are held online thus extending the festival’s reach and appeal. Since it’s inception, and with the support of many partners, the festival has co-ordinated hundreds of events and welcomed thousands of children to take part.
Cadw’s Lifelong Learning Team have supported this festival enthusiastically for many years, even during the difficulties and restrictions of the pandemic. We have seen at first hand the pure enjoyment of learning taking place through these magical experiences, set in our extraordinary sites across Wales, where the history actually happened.
Welsh Schools Heritage Initiative
The Welsh Heritage Schools Initiative aims to encourage young people, of all ages, backgrounds and abilities, to take a greater interest in their Welsh heritage (Cynefin and Stori Cymru), to find out more about the wealth and diversity of their heritage and to share their knowledge and understanding with their own communities and the wider world.
The Initiative holds an annual competition for heritage projects in schools, encouraging and fostering the development of cross-curricular skills through the study of the history and culture of Wales. The new curriculum provides rich opportunities for exploring the heritage of Wales and the concept of cynefin with learners in all settings in Wales.
The word "heritage" is interpreted in the widest sense, to include people and their social history, religion, traditions and culture; the world of work, agriculture, industry, finance, commerce, science, technology, arts and sport.
These projects can be part of the usual curriculum-focused work carried out as part of the timetable, or they can reflect work done by the school to commemorate a local event, person or building. The project work undertaken for this competition will address many of the requirements for history in the new Curriculum for Wales.
The projects require research, collection of materials, analysis and evaluation and communication skills. They may be presented as exhibitions, performances, restorations and other forms of contribution to heritage, or as records in print or electronic form. Schools are encouraged to disseminate their findings. Assessment of the project will take into account the appropriate level of literacy, numeracy and information technology skills.
Cadw have supported WSHI for many years and encourage schools to participate.
WSHI organise an annual competition for heritage projects in schools in Wales with numerous monetary prizes with up to £1000 for the winners.
