Testimonials

Training Talk – Out of the Woodwork, by Gabriella Jozwiak in Nursery World Monday, March 2, 2020

Sometimes a training course is so inspirational, it changes a nursery’s core provision. This was the case at East Prescot Road Nursery School in Liverpool. It began offering woodwork to its three- and four-year-olds in January 2019 after senior teacher and curriculum lead Craig Bolton attended an Introducing Woodwork in Early Years Education course by early years creative consultant Pete Moorhouse.

Mr Bolton said, ‘We were looking at opportunities for how children can demonstrate problem-solving, and integrate all their learning in a way that they’re self-motivated. I wanted the woodwork to happen, but I didn’t know the staff would be convinced to the extent they were.’

Mr Moorhouse then delivered the CPD course in-house during an inset day to all 13 members of staff. It covered woodwork theory, particularly in relation to the EYFS, how the practice contributes to creative and critical thinking, health and safety and practical training on using tools. ‘A crucial part of the day was how inspirational it was,’ says Mr Bolton. Mr Moorhouse asked staff to put themselves in the position of children and ‘go off and explore’ tools and wood during the course. ‘He made everyone feel valued and confident.’

The school introduced the practice straight away, using a woodwork station in classrooms to teach children the basics, after which they improve their skills in a woodwork shed.

‘We noticed a lot of impact on children’s language,’ says Mr Bolton. ‘We had children who were reluctant communicators, but in the woodwork shed as they’re working, they are chatting: marking up with pencils where they want things chopped off.’

After the course, Mr Moorhouse guided the nursery through setting up the provision, helping with risk assessments and providing a shopping list of resources.

“Your keynote presentation was inspirational, really informative and engaging. The feedback has been excellent”.  Jane Alexander Chief Executive Officer  Wales PPA

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“Thank you. A really inspiring keynote – providing a real in depth look at creativity. I now have a much greater understanding of creative and critical thinking and how I can go about observing children and encouraging their progress in these thinking skills”
Sian Davis – Entrust EYs

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“The evaluations about your keynote presentation were extremely positive, with delegates
commenting on how much they had learnt and how engaging you were”
Frances Shillaber – Early Years Consultant

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“Pete Moorhouse was a Keynote speaker at our Early years conference this year. The feedback from the conference was how the early years practitioners loved the way he spoke with so much passion about woodwork and how he made the whole process of working with wood so simple. Practitioners found it will be easy to implement it within their own setting.” – “we wanted to do woodwork in our setting but we didn’t know where to start, Pete has given us everything we need to start, thank you” “thank you Pete, for supplying us with all the resources list, risk assessments and supplier, I am ready to make a go of it!

Panna Nagar – Headteacher, Conference organiser

“Really opened up my ideas to the possibility of woodwork with the really strong links to curriculum” ” Fantastic workshop! Really inspiring and informative. I am definitely going to embed this in our setting. Cant wait to introduce it! Pete is a very knowledgeable tutor.” ” Pete has in’depth knowledge of the EYFS and links to all areas of learning – especially to the characteristics of effective learning. Pete’s passion for woodwork really comes across” 
Early Years Conference, East Ridings LA

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“So many useful and practical ideas and experiential input backed by research and theory. Really inspiring and doable!” 
Bev Dhillon, Forest Fields Primary School, Nottingham

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We all loved the woodwork training. It was very inspirational and gave us loads of help and advice. I think it was the right mix of practical support and theory for us. We came away with a lot more confidence and ready to implement this new project in our setting. Thank you – Lisa
South Park Pre-school

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“This was such an informative session, Pete has such knowledge and passion for creativity, Great to get so much inspiration!”
Jeanette Walker –  Weston College

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CPD feedback form  Edinburgh Froebel network:

“A workshop not to be missed! So many tips and tricks to ensure working with wood and tools is a successful and fulfilling experience for children. Great to have the opportunity for the practical experience too – very therapeutic.  I now have more confidence in the use of tools and how to introduce these to the children. I was reminded of how many learning opportunities are supported through woodwork.”

“It’s given me a great insight into the possibilities at the woodwork bench and how we can extend what we are already doing. I can’t wait to set our woodwork bench set up and get going!”

“Having attended this session with hardly any woodwork experience, I am leaving inspired, confident and excited to develop the skill, knowledge and practice of woodwork with the children, staff and families.”

“The participants feedback sheets were extremely positive and highlighted understanding the importance of creativity in Early Years education, the hands on work, your real examples shared, your passion and the new ideas and are very much inspired to start implementing the new learning”

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Ali Ezzeddine – Director – 4Generations4Education

“The session was really useful and informative. It was really inspiring and thought provoking and has really got me thinking. The great visual images really brought ideas to life. Wonderful dynamic ideas. Great passionate delivery. Thank you.”

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Martha Richards, Early Years Advisor

“Thank you so much. Everything about the session was so useful and the experience of working with wood was really wonderful. Interesting to see how relevant woodwork is the the new EYFS.”  Maja, Curzon Crescent Children’s Centre, London
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“I was really inspired by the slide presentation. It has given me many great ideas to work on myself. I really enjoyed the practical experience of working with tools and materials, I enjoyed the process and has fuelled my enthusiasm” Bridget Graham Katesgrove Primary

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“Really inspiring session. I didn’t want it to end! Great mixture of theory and practice” P Price SWCC

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“This session was really inspiring and given me so many ideas and the enthusiasm to make changes to my practice and creative work with children” Vicky Gianni, Deputy Head

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“It was a brilliant session – relaxed and informative. Right balance between presentation and practical work. The warm up was great! Thank You.”
Sue Vincent, Headteacher

Early Excellence, London  –  The American School in London  –  Frankfurt International School, Germany  –  Liverpool City Council  –  4Generations4Education, Dubai, UAE  –  Bristol City Council  –   First Steps Himalaya, Nepal  –  Paro College of Education, Royal University of Bhutan  –  Garden International School, Kuala Lampur  –   Discovery Bay International School, Hong Kong  –  Early Education, London  –  Cornwall Learning  – Tama Art Museum University, Tokyo  –  North Somerset Council  –  International Froebel Society, Germany  –  Akasaki Nursery, Tottori, Japan  –  Central Bedfordshire Council  –  South Gloucestershire Council – University of Derby  –  Graduate School of Education, Bristol University  –  Southend on Sea Council  –  St John’s Catholic Primary School  –  Christ Church First School and Key Centre Nursery  –  Northfleet Nursery School, Kent  –  Hanham High School –  Bushy Leaze Children & Families Centre  –  Hungerford Nursery School  –  Wallscort Farm Academy – St 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