Training of Permaculture Teachers Course

We know permaculture has answers, so if you've ever wanted to inspire others but haven't had the confidence this course is for you. This course is suitable for all abilities: both apprentice & experienced teachers & also for those who have just completed their Permaculture Design course (PDC). During the course we will be focusing on the tools & techniques for teaching & facilitating permaculture learning & the practicalities of convening & running courses. We won't be revisiting the topics on a PDC in any depth and so it is recommended that if your permaculture knowledge is a bit rusty that you do some preparatory background reading before the course.

The ToT will concentrate on permaculture training but the techniques covered can be applied to any other subject and hence the course would be valuable for any teacher wanting to expand their creative teaching techniques. The course will be lively and interactive on all levels using plenty of diversity in teaching styles. We intend to use the course as a working example of how much can be achieved in a short course using accelerated learning techniques. We will be looking at the whole process of running a course – from finding a venue and course publicity to evaluation and follow up.

Sessions covered: Setting training objectives ~ Training design ~ Teaching methods ~ Preparing training sessions ~ Training tools ~ Training needs assessment ~ Games and energisers ~ Facilitation skills ~ Micro-session preparation ~ Presentation skills ~ Rapport building ~ Convening courses ~ Course design ~ Learning methods ~ Assessment and evaluation ~ Follow up

We aim to empower people to realise their own skills as facilitators and will be using methods for building confidence of the participants throughout. This will culminate in each participant giving a micro-teach to put into practice what they have learned.

The Inkpot is a working 150-acre organic, regenerative farm on a distributed network of fields and a demonstration permaculture LAND Centre. It’s also the home of Hannah Thorogood and family. The course will be held on the home field. On-site there may be sheep, chickens, cows, turkeys, dogs, bees and also a small vegetable garden, a small forest garden and a 3000-tree windbreak around the circumference of the field that makes a nice walk. Our classrooms will be the 24-foot, round, oak-framed reciprocal roof field shelter with an additional break-out, dining, office space at the top of the field. We are likely to be outside for many sessions and may use other spaces open to lots of fresh air, so please do consider this when packing! Even in summer, long grass can get very wet, so boots and waterproofs, an extra layer or two etc. will be a good idea.

The course fee includes camping and there are compost toilets and outdoor showers on site although you might want to have a swim in the lake.

The Autumn 2024 course will run from 5.00pm (please arrive by 4.00pm for a prompt start) on Saturday 24th August to 5.00pm on Monday 2nd September.

There will be a half day off mid-course on Thursday 29th.

Sessions start each day at 9.00am and continue on until the evening meal around 6.30pm. We also have a light session most evenings to reinforce the day's learning. We have an hour and a quarter for lunch and evening meals, plus tea breaks during the mornings and afternoons.

On successful completion of the course, all participants will be awarded the Permaculture Association (Britain)'s internationally recognised Teacher Training Course Certificate.