CPD catch-up

As part of my memberships of a number of professional bodies I'm required to record my continuing professional development.  There's been rather a lot lately. Here goes...

• 5 & 6/3/11 - Navigation, orienteering and a moorland day walk round Ogden Water with bronze Duke of Edinburgh's Award candidates.
• 8/3/11 - Teaching route cards with bronze DofE award candidates.
• 9/3/11 - My observation of teaching and learning at Leeds City College (grade 1, outstanding).
• 10/3/11 - Attended the inaugral meeting of Bradford Wheels for All cycling group.
• 15/3/11 - Teaching tent pitching, stoves and nutrition with bronze DofE award candidates.

Indoor tent pitching practice

•  18/3/11 - Night micro-navigation exercise with Upper Wharfedale Fell Rescue Association.
• 19/3/11 - British Cycling level 1Ride Leader award training.

British Cycling Level 1 Ride leader certificate

• 21/3/11 - DofE bronze award route card teaching.
• 22/3/11 - DofE bronze award expedition preparation teaching; country code and emergency procedures.
• 24/3/11 - DofE Expedition Supervisor's training.

DofE Expedition Supervisor certificate

Phew...

Amongst this I also managed a walk in Swaledale with friends, some mountainbike guiding to help in the production of a new South Pennines mountainbike guide and a restful anniversary weekend away with Mrs BrightAire.

Kisdon Force, Swaledale

Whitby harbour pier from our weekend away

Teaching observation and Duke of Edinburgh work

When I'm not working or playing outdoors I work as an IT teacher at Leeds City College. It's one of the biggest in the country.  This week I was observed as part of the college's regular process of quality assurance. Observation, for me, is always a little unsettling in practice and a lot of work in preparation. It was quite gratifying to find that the hard work had paid off. I got a grade one, "outstanding" assessment.

Earlier in the week and last weekend I've enjoyed working with students at Trinity Academy in Halifax training them for their Duke of Edinburgh's Award expedition. As well as a great afternoon's orienteering at Ogden Water and a fabulous early spring sunshine walk in the Calderdale there has been some classroom work. Students created a giant map and worked very hard, after school on Tuesday to create route cards.

Trinity Academy students survey their domain

Rhubarb, Moonraking and the Hill of the Winds

Odd stuff since last weekend.

A visit to the Wakefield Rhubarb Festival and to the forcing sheds of E Oldroyd and Sons. More photos here.

Slaithwaite (say "Slawit") Moonraking Festival was the next port of call on Saturday evening. More photos here.

Finally, today was probably my most enjoyable "day at the office" so far this year. Working for WildWays Adventure I took a group of youngsters for a walk up Pen-y-Ghent, "Hill of the Winds", one of the Yorkshire Three Peaks. The weather didn't disappoint!