The Bushcraft Challenge

Alex • 2 May 2021

Bushcraft encompasses many things

Making fire
I love working and being outdoors (which helps when you work at Running Deer) and part of why I enjoy it so much is because I get to work at and pass on my love of bushcraft skills.
Bushcraft encompasses many things, but to me it is about learning and practicing practical outdoor skills. These can be as simple as tying a knot, using a knife or identifying a tree. Or they can be complicated projects like constructing a waterproof shelter or lighting a fire using friction alone. All this knowledge is both fun and easy to pick up, but you can spend years learning to master it and you never stop gaining new knowledge.
At Running Deer we are introducing more bushcraft skills into our curriculum this year by way of the Bushcraft Fabulous Forty Challenge. The challenges range from toasting a marshmallow to using a map and everything inbetween. The students will work towards four levels (bronze, silver, gold and platinum) gaining a certificate and reward for every 10 challenges they complete.
These challenges, whilst based on bushcraft, will teach other life lessons along the way too. Patience, perseverance, resilience and teamwork to name a few.
I’m looking forward to the challenge of the project, and hope the students will enjoy learning about bushcraft as much as I enjoy teaching it.
If you’d like to find out more about bushcraft you can do with you kids at home then check out www.bushkiddz.co.uk for information. Their website has some great ideas for activities you can try in your garden, especially helpful during times like these whilst home schooling.


by Geraldine 7 July 2025
Despite the biblical rain and almost the need for an arc, members of the local community came to support a charity fundraiser organised and ran by pupils of the school on Thursday 12th June 2025. Not only were there delicious freshly baked cakes, scones, cheesecakes and goodies for all to purchase and enjoy, but also glazed pottery and pupil made artists inks – with live demonstrations on the day. A huge £101.50 was raised with all proceeds from sales going to charities chosen by the pupils themselves. Charities chosen to support were Chagford Youth Club; NHS Royal Devon Hospital Exeter; Rape Crisis UK each gaining an equal share of £33.33. Credit and thanks go to the pupils and staff for the hard work put in leading up to and during the event, parents who were able to support in person or via cake donations and members of the local community for supporting the pupils with this important event. We are incredibly proud of our students and the mature and considerate citizenship demonstrated in the important event.
by Joanna Winterburn 12 June 2025
Summer Newsletter 2025
by Andy Nash 21 November 2022
Although Running Deer is based in woodland, and a lot of what we do is based around outdoor life and skills, that doesn’t mean we aren’t keeping up with modern technology.
by Gabriella 21 February 2022
February in the forest can be pretty bleak...
by Amber 21 February 2022
I look forward to the learning nature will bring me.
by Alex 3 February 2022
Who doesn't like to learn a new skill?
by Nick 28 January 2022
Trauma informed school status.
by Dave 9 December 2021
This is just the beginning as now we have mastered the basic idea there is no holding us back. 
by Evie 9 December 2021
Another successful day with the Running Deer.
by Darren 8 December 2021
P.S. don't forget to send all those Christmas cards.