Learning to Love Learning for Life!
INNER PEACE FOREST SCHOOL EDUCATIONAL SUPPORT SYSTEM
Our Mission
Our Learning Space
Our Mission
The INNER PEACE FOREST SCHOOL EDUCATIONAL SUPPORT SYSTEM provides an holistic outdoor-based and online learning support to families who have children in home school programmes or are frequently travelling and living more nomadically. Our online and in situ support system offers the teaching and expereince of: humanisitc moral values,
The INNER PEACE FOREST SCHOOL EDUCATIONAL SUPPORT SYSTEM provides an holistic outdoor-based and online learning support to families who have children in home school programmes or are frequently travelling and living more nomadically. Our online and in situ support system offers the teaching and expereince of: humanisitc moral values, self discipline and self confidence, social awareness, social communication skills, psycho-physical and emotional well-being, love of learning, enjoyment of nature, compassion and empathy, contentment and happiness - alongside academic qualifications and practical work skills. The forest-based outdoor education space offers a unique and beautiful natural location that first offers nature as the teacher through our wide range of outdoor activities (forest walks, camping, canoeing, climbing, biking etc... in the hill forests and beaches of the rural Algarve). Alongside learning lifelong knowledge naturally, we augment the experience with daily yoga, martial arts, minfullness and meditation sessions. This cutting edge learning curriculum prepares our students to cope with the stress of growing up with the pressure to make a success of their lives in this complex fast-changing modern world. With this mission we work with both the student and their families to foster a life-long love of learning with our commitment to every student that they learn to become the best that they can be - together with friends, family and community.
Our History
Our Learning Space
Our Mission
The INNER PEACE FOREST SCHOOL EDUCATIONAL SUPPORT SYSTEM grew out of the work of the International Yoga, Martial Arts and Meditation Knowledge Centre which was set up over 30 years ago to create a natural practice and study space for high level learnng and experience of Zen Buddhist,Taoist and Yogic personal development systems. In 2006
The INNER PEACE FOREST SCHOOL EDUCATIONAL SUPPORT SYSTEM grew out of the work of the International Yoga, Martial Arts and Meditation Knowledge Centre which was set up over 30 years ago to create a natural practice and study space for high level learnng and experience of Zen Buddhist,Taoist and Yogic personal development systems. In 2006 the need to cater for the educaiton of a rural poulation with young children in a remote locality led to the establshment of an EU-funded programme to establish a 'European Citizens' School' in Monchique as part of a wider European life long learning (LLL) network, bringing together nature activities, language learning and Information Technology training for local community re-skilling and rural development. The EU life long learning process was blended with the Knowledge Centre's personal development programmes. It was initially offered to graduate-level students interested in sustainable development. This was then further blended with the outdoor nature activities in the area and then offered to kindergarten, primary and secondary students in home school settings, providing local families with qualified educational support and the opportunity for children living in remote areas or schooling online to meet up with their peers in healthy nature-based guided learning experiences.
Our Learning Space
Our Learning Space
Our Learning Space
The INNER PEACE FOREST SCHOOL EDUCATIONAL SUPPORT SYSTEM is based in the remote Monchique foot hills overlooking the beautiful forests and beaches of the Algarve, Southern Portugal. A five hectare abondoned lemon farm has been restored using sustainable development principles to bring the farm back to life and help support conservation-l
The INNER PEACE FOREST SCHOOL EDUCATIONAL SUPPORT SYSTEM is based in the remote Monchique foot hills overlooking the beautiful forests and beaches of the Algarve, Southern Portugal. A five hectare abondoned lemon farm has been restored using sustainable development principles to bring the farm back to life and help support conservation-led local economic development across the region. In 2003 the property was burnt down in the biggest forest fires in Europe that year, but the Knowledge Centre was re-built as a 'Quina Florestal' (Forest Farm) as part of the regeneration of fire-affected rural areas of low population density. The forest farm model was based on organic agriculture, permaculture design, ecotourism, health and well being programmes and environmental edcuation programmes, offering a demonstation unit for other fire-affected landowners to rebuild their farms. The facilities include indoor and outdoor martial arts and yoga training spaces, accommodation, classrooms and camp site, a peace garden and agricultural terraces, fully self-sufficient with solar power, spring water, multi-level reservoirs, and on-site waste composting.
INNER PEACE FOREST SCHOOL EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMME
THE INNER PEACE FOREST SHOOL EDUCATONAL SUPPORT SYSTEM - MEETING THE CHALLENGES OF MODERN LIVING THROUGH LIFE LONG LEARNING
INNER PEACE FOREST SCHOOL EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMME
INTRODUCTION TO THE LEARNING PROGRAMME
INTRODUCTION TO THE LEARNING PROGRAMME
INTRODUCTION TO THE LEARNING PROGRAMME
The School Praxis- Life Long Learning – Natural Knowledge in the Age of AI
Students who participate in the system can do so through on-line, day attendance and boarding support to families who are looking for a forest-based outdoor school alternative to mainstream urban educational processes.
The Curriculum Five Key Study Areas:
1. Arts, Science, Humanities (IGCSE on-line tutoring and support)
2. Engineering, Construction (Site-based practical manual technical skills)
3. Information & Communications Technology (AI, Networking, Content Creation, Programming)
4. Natural Movement for Health and Fitness (Yoga. Martial Arts, Outdoor Activities)
5. Life Skills & Moral Values (Buddhism and Astanga, NLP, Communication. Teamwork, Life Management Skills, Business Skills, Gardening)
ARTS SCIENCE & HUMANITIES
INTRODUCTION TO THE LEARNING PROGRAMME
INTRODUCTION TO THE LEARNING PROGRAMME
Arts, Science, Humanities (Cambridge IGCE on-line tutoring and support)
Subject learning for Academic Qualifications:
· 8 Cambridge UK IGCSEs: English Language, English as a Foreign Language, Mathematics, Combined Sciences, Biology, Physics, Chemistry, Geography
· Foundation Courses:
o Learning and Research Strategies and Skills
o Communications Skills
o World History
o Working with AI tutors with teacher oversight for home study
o Forming Peer Study Groups with Tutor Oversight
INFORMATION COMMUNICATIONS TECHNOLOGY
INTRODUCTION TO THE LEARNING PROGRAMME
INFORMATION COMMUNICATIONS TECHNOLOGY
Information & Communications Technology (AI, Networking, Content Creation, Programming)
Technical skills acquisition through groupwork and project-based exploration of:
· Artificial Intelligence – Learning to learn and learning to work with GPT4o, Microsoft CoPilot and other Large Language Model systems.
· Online Networks – How the Internet Works, Building Online Communities.
· Content Creation- website, video, sound and story-telling production
· Programming – Learning to programme in HTML 5 and Python using AI and online courses.
Students will form teams who will work though the above subject areas and be expected to deliver their own programming projects by the end of the year.
ENGINEERING & CONSTRUCTION
NATURAL MOVEMENT, HEALTH & WELLBEING
INFORMATION COMMUNICATIONS TECHNOLOGY
(Site-based practical manual & technical skills)
Project- based learning and practical manual work experience for 14+ age g &roup:
· Building Maintenance
· Working with Concrete, Bricklaying
· Electrics
· Plumbing
· Working with Wood
· Working with Metal
· Alternative Energy Sources – Choosing and Using
· Combustion Engine and Vehicle Maintenance
· Bicycle Maintenance
Students will join project teams to go though the skill sets in practical project ongoing at the Quinta Florestal in Monchique, Southern Portugal, where all techniques will be adapted to dry Mediterranean landscape conditions.
NATURAL MOVEMENT, HEALTH & WELLBEING
NATURAL MOVEMENT, HEALTH & WELLBEING
NATURAL MOVEMENT, HEALTH & WELLBEING
Every day holistic health & wellbeing activities based on:
· Yoga
· Martial Arts
· Outdoor Activities
The School yoga program follows though on the work of Yogachayra BKS Iyengar, in which students are led though a comprehensive hatha yoga learning and practice program.
The Martial Arts brings together the Japanese Art of Wado-Ryu and the Chinese System of Tai Chi Chuan into the natural movement practice of Zen Tai Ki Do (The Way of Zen Body Energy). Students have the option to train in the school programmes offered in each of these disciplines.
LIFE SKILLS & MORAL VALUES
NATURAL MOVEMENT, HEALTH & WELLBEING
NATURAL MOVEMENT, HEALTH & WELLBEING
Life Skills & Moral Values (Buddhism and Astanga, Neuro Linguistic Programming- NLP - , Teamwork, Business Skills)
The educational support system offers students two ‘Life Compasses’ for guidance to find our own Way though:
1) The ‘Four Noble Truths and the Eightfold Path’ in Buddhism
·2)The Yoga Astanga Limbs of Yama and Niyama
With application and focus on student exposure to:
· Buddhist Transpersonal Psycho-therapeutic Skills – Learning to Manage our Mental Health
· Social Communication Skills – Richt Speech, One-to -One and One-to-Many Communications Skills; Team Work and Finding your Sangha
· Living in Contentment and Happiness - the Practice of ‘Loving Kindness’ (Meta Bhavana)Meditation .
· Life Skills – Growing food, Cooking, Cleaning. Money management,
· Business Skills – Following ‘Right Livelihood’ to help you find out what you want to do in life to make a living.
· Business Skills – Preparing Action Plans and Business Plans to bring your Ideas to life.
Specific Study Area 1 - Engineering & Construction
Practical manual technical skills
Project- based learning and practical manual work experience for 14+ age group covering the following subjects:
· Building Maintenance
· Working with Concrete, Bricklaying
· Electrics
· Plumbing
· Working with Wood
· Working with Metal
· Alternative Energy Sources – Choosing and Using
· Combustion Engine and Vehicle Maintenance
· Bicycle Maintenance
Students will join project teams to learn and acquire the skill sets in practical projects ongoing at the Quinta Florestal in Monchique, Southern Portugal, where all techniques will be adapted to dry Mediterranean landscape conditions.
Instructors
Instructors for each of the areas will draw on local builders and anyone in the parent’s group who feels they may have something to offer. The learning programme will be coordinated by Gordon Sillence, the School Principal, who is running the School’s building and maintenance programme
Learning Outcomes
Depending on the age of each participant, the outcomes of the learning experience will be:
1. Basic knowledge of each building subject area.
2. Knowledge of Safety aspects of construction work
3. Practical Technical Drawing and Design Skills
4. Practical Calculation of Material and Costing Skills.
5. Basic labouring skills expected of a building assistant/apprentice
6. Understanding the different jobs involved with working with wood, cement/clay/sand, electrics, plumbing and engineering.
7. Experience of working a practical building site
8. Project Work Chosen by Student
This year’s projects will involve:
1. Working with metal: Construction of a 35,000 ltr water tank
2. Working with sand, cement and iron: Earthquake Regulation Domestic Building
3. Working with wood: Sustainable Building Workshop and Storage Space
4. Working with Electricity – wiring skills and designs for buildings
5. Bicycle Maintenance Workshop
Learning Times:
Friday Afternoons 2 -4 pm (10 x per term = 20 hrs)
Week end Workshops 1 per term (2 days 8 hours per day. = 16 hrs)
Project Work – 10 hours per term
Total 46 x 3 = 138 hrs Guided Learning Time
Cost 460 Euros per term
Enrolment:
If you are interested in your child/children to attend this course please contact Stella or Gordon for Enrolment starting 1st October 2024.
Specific Study Area 2 Information Communications Technology
AI, Networking, Content Creation, Programming
Technical skills acquisition through groupwork and project-based exploration of:
· Artificial Intelligence – Learning to learn and learning to work with GPT4o, Microsoft CoPilot and other Large Language Model systems.
· Online Networks – How the Internet Works, Building Online Communities.
· Content Creation- website, video, sound and story-telling production
· Programming – Learning to programme in HTML 5 and Python using AI and online courses.
Students will form teams who will work through the above subject areas as part of their individual learning programme. They will be expected to deliver a portfolio of their work and their own programming/design projects by the end of the year.
Instruction
Instruction for each of the areas will draw on a selection of the most appropriate internet course content forming the basis of an individual learning programme that will be facilitated by Gordon Sillence, the School Principal, who has over 3 decades of ICT development and teaching experience, and currently acts as ICT Director for the Tourism2030.eu Portal, running the ICT company Travel Green Planet Services. He will support each student to fulfil their individual learning programme activities.
Learning Experiences
Depending on the age of each participant, the learning experiences in this year’s projects will involve:
1. Introduction to Computing – Hardware and Software (Using Brilliant)
2. Using Software Programmes for Writing, Calculating and Presentation (Google and Microsoft 365)
3. Building a Website using a Web Generator (GoDaddy, Wix. AI web generation)
4. Online Course in HTML 5
5. Online Course in Understanding Coding (Python II code generation)
6. Online Course in Understanding and Using AI – the Rise of ChatGPT and Beyond
7. Online Course in Using AI to generate an AI Agents (ChatGPT4.0)
Learning Times:
Thursday Afternoons 2 -4 pm (10 x per term = 20 hrs)
Week end Workshop 1 per term ( 1 days = 8 hrs)
Project Work – 20 hours per term
Total: 144 hrs Guided Learning Time
Cost 460 Euros per term
Equipment:
Participants must bring their own laptops/tablets with them to be able to work from school and at home, where there should also be internet access.
Enrolment:
If you are interested in your child/children to attend this course please contact Stella or Gordon for Enrolment starting 1st October 2024.
Life Skills & Moral Values - Schools Can Stop the Wars!
SDG !6 Peace Justice Strong Institutuions
Emergency Action: Help Stop the Gaza Genocide
SDG !6 Peace Justice Strong Institutuions
Never before have we needed peace more, and all of us can play a part in making it happen. The programme aims to build an SDG 16 - Schools for Peace & Justice process to help protect the future of our children from becoming a world in perpetual war, on the brink of nuclear Armageddon, their lives being run by a ruthless totalitarian state military-industrial-governance elite. Millions of children are living under these conflict-ridden conditions already, and the situation is now exponential as the combined crises of Global Change – War, Disease, Hunger, Extreme Weather Events, Biodiversity loss, Pollution and Mental Illness converge on every nation state population
Schools Can Stop the War Programme
Emergency Action: Help Stop the Gaza Genocide
SDG !6 Peace Justice Strong Institutuions
Learning Pack for Teachers: War and Peace in the Holy Land
This comprehensive learning pack delves into the complex history of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, offering teachers resources to discuss the realities of war, peace, and occupation in the Holy Land. The materials present historical context, current realities, and paths toward peace, encouraging nuanced conversations in classrooms.
- Key Focus: Understanding the roots of conflict in the Middle East and fostering a balanced, informed dialogue in the classroom.
Emergency Action: Help Stop the Gaza Genocide
Emergency Action: Help Stop the Gaza Genocide
Emergency Action: Help Stop the Gaza Genocide
An urgent call to action to mobilize schools and communities in response to the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza. This segment of the programme provides actionable steps for students and teachers to participate in campaigns against the starvation, ethnic cleansing, and genocide occurring in Palestine. It includes information on petitions, fundraising, and advocacy efforts designed to stop the violence.
- Key Focus: Immediate humanitarian action and call for immediate ceasefire to support Palestine and raise awareness of global atrocities.
NO Thanks! Israeli Company and Product Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions Programme (BDS)
Hold a Stop the War Event at Your School
Hold a Stop the War Event at Your School
Emergency Action: Help Stop the Gaza Genocide
A Schools Can Stop the Wars! program for your school can presented through an assembly message, lesson plans, or even an ‘Awareness Day on Empathy and Understanding’ . Check out the ways your school an be involved .
Download the Brochure Below to link our school with the programme.
It didn't start on October 7th ...
Hold a Stop the War Event at Your School
It didn't start on October 7th ...
The "Schools Can Stop the Wars!" initiative officially launches on October 7th 2024 - specifically aimed to counter the hasbara of the Israeli state that will undoubtedly put out information making the Isreal state the victim, cite its endless Orwellian antisemitic Zionist rhetoric to justify its current genocidal ethnic cleansing of the Holy Land for the Lebensraum of Greater Israel. That can no longer be tolerated in the face of one full year of genocidal evidence in Gaza and now the West Bank and Lebanon.
See the video Archive of one year of documenting the enthnic cleansing, genocide and war crimes against innocent citizens, civilian women and cildren. https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLx14-bCrZvE8m5la7UmtqEATP4rANOhvS
Contact Us
Hold a Stop the War Event at Your School
It didn't start on October 7th ...
Join the movement and help schools become champions of peace. By participating in this initiative, students and teachers and your school can contribute to a global effort that challenges war, injustice, and apartheid.
For more information, resources, or to book a presentation, visit our website or contact our team at:
Email: Gordon.sillence@gmal.com
Website: Forestschoolsupport.net
YouTube Channel: Schools can Stop the Wars
Christmas 2024/New Year 2025 -All Eyes Look East to Gaza
Christmas 2024 is Cancelled ... Again. A Prayer for Palestine for a Peaceful New Year
Animal Farm Revisited - A Christmas Short Story 2023 ... One year on - the Reality of our Orwellian
Animal Farm Revisited - A Christmas Short Story 2023 ... One year on - the Reality of our Orwellian
With the Pope saying on 21st December this is not war it is cruelty and Christmas in Bethleham in occupied East Jurusaelm cancelled ...again, in honour of the great Christian ed ucation my mother and father gave me taught in the spirit of Jean Baptiste de la Salle - I offer
A Christmas Prayer for Palestine
Oh Lord
I turn my eyes East to bow my head
in your all powerful brilliance
To ask you from my heart my head and my soul
Please grant mercy ,on the children of Gaza
Being butchered, tortured and starved in plain sight of all humanity to feel and see
In these End Days of human cruelty and atrocity
I ask you please end the rule of selfishness, greed and violence in the hearts of
all the powerful who lead us
Let us find loving kindness, compassion and care in our own hearts
Make us true guardians of the Palestinian children
And guide our right action to live equally, justly and morally in this Garden of Eden called Palestine.
Forever and ever
Amen/Aum
Please give this to your local priest, rabbi, imam, monk or religious leader to read out this Christmas.
Share with friends and family to say at Chistmas lunch .
When you wish anyone a peaceful New Year share this prayer with them.
Animal Farm Revisited - A Christmas Short Story 2023 ... One year on - the Reality of our Orwellian
Animal Farm Revisited - A Christmas Short Story 2023 ... One year on - the Reality of our Orwellian
Animal Farm Revisited - A Christmas Short Story 2023 ... One year on - the Reality of our Orwellian
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kgPOn2LbIlg&t=6s&ab_channel=GordonSillence
What is sad is that one year ago I wrote this Christmas allegory to describe the real and current horrors of the Zionist ethnic cleansing of the Gaza strip, where now 45,000 + civilian Palestinian men, women and children have been killed and 100,000’s more maimed and traumatised and now living as 2 million refugees in a colonial-settler concentration camp in front of our own eyes, suffering torture, starvation and disease - being used as weapons of ethnic cleansing and genocide spearheaded by US, UK,EU fed Zionist capitalism..
The Middle East Theatre of War is the money machine of Orwell’s Nazi Fascist Totalitarian Empire of the Allies 2030 running our Animal Farm 2025, and the Palestinian ch;ildren being killed as lambs to the slaughter. Our Animal farm will soon have its AI Security cameras, intelligence and drones will have us or our children all running from war-torn, run down corner to corner of their global apartheid billionaire Pharocrac, whilst the hog the Bitcoin Milk Eggs and HOney It is heart-breaking to see the 100,000s of Palestinian children suffering in this story come so hauntingly true by this Christmas.
You can hear me read the Christmas Story last year and I have no need to change the message, sadly …
TOP 3 Christmas and New Year Songs for Peace in the Holy Land - Open Our Hearts to become the Guard
Animal Farm Revisited - A Christmas Short Story 2023 ... One year on - the Reality of our Orwellian
TOP 3 Christmas and New Year Songs for Peace in the Holy Land - Open Our Hearts to become the Guard
Here are the top 3 resistance songs that you can find on the Resistance Music from Vietnam to Gaza.
No. 3 it’s a Billionaires Xmas
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O3FMV3iugeI&ab_channel=MartinKerr
No 2. Get into the New Year's Spirit of Resistanc ein 2025
Raise Your Voice
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PVxijjwH6mU&ab_channel=SethStatonWatkins
No 1 Become a Guardian of the Palestinian Children 2025 >
We are ot Numbers
The end of this video gives a list of Instagram pages where we can provide direct help to Palasetian children and families.
2024 Resistance Music from Vietnam to Gaza Review - 10 Tracks to Rage in the New Age 2025
Global Apartheid = Zionism + Perpetual War x Armageddon : the Maths of the Sustainable Development
TOP 3 Christmas and New Year Songs for Peace in the Holy Land - Open Our Hearts to become the Guard
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLx14-bCrZvE9TlbrYFB7aNAya-22j8U4I
Choose your own top 10 resistance songs to play over XMas - New Year from over 160 great tunes form ietnam to Gaza.
Global Apartheid = Zionism + Perpetual War x Armageddon : the Maths of the Sustainable Development
Global Apartheid = Zionism + Perpetual War x Armageddon : the Maths of the Sustainable Development
Global Apartheid = Zionism + Perpetual War x Armageddon : the Maths of the Sustainable Development
There is a lsit of Schools can Stop the Wars videos form Youttube that can inform your how the horrors of Empire are now evidently dneying the just equitable and prosperous world of Agenda 21 Civil society is working towars. Instead we have a security first World where Global Apartheid = Zionism + Perpetual War x Armageddon : the Maths of the Sustainable Development show us that only 10% of the 2 trillion global arms sales would support the implemantion of the SDGs and more. Follow Professor Jeffry Sachs and other champions of peace jsutice and strong institutions.
Join our Prayer for Peace in Palestine / Schools Can Stop the Wars! Programmes
Global Apartheid = Zionism + Perpetual War x Armageddon : the Maths of the Sustainable Development
Global Apartheid = Zionism + Perpetual War x Armageddon : the Maths of the Sustainable Development
If you have any questions or would like to learn more about joining together to form a global community of schools that can help stop the wars ...
Please contact me on 00351 912373 to join in or Schools can stop the Wars! work.