Windward Education Limited connects young people with nature, rural skills, farming, boatbuilding, fishing and wilderness experiences. We deliver accredited vocational training for young people aged 16–19, helping them build real skills, confidence and recognised qualifications.

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Our approach

Our work is person-centred and trauma-informed. We meet each young person where they are, give them real responsibility and challenge, and provide the support to rise to it. Groups are small, and learning is hands-on and outdoors.

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Accreditation

Windward is a Qualifications Scotland Approved Centre (3028143). Our courses include the NPA Angling and the Aquatic Environment (SCQF levels 3 and 4) and Rural Skills (SCQF level 4).

 

Safeguarding and child protection

The safety and wellbeing of every young person who takes part in a Windward course, club or expedition comes first. Every young person has the right to be protected from harm, abuse, neglect and exploitation, and to be listened to and treated with respect.

 

Our practice follows the National Guidance for Child Protection in Scotland, the principles of Getting It Right For Every Child (GIRFEC) and the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. In line with that guidance we treat everyone under 18 as a child, and we follow adult support and protection procedures for participants aged 18 and over who may be at risk of harm.

 

How we keep young people safe

- Staff and volunteers in regulated roles are members of the Protecting Vulnerable Groups (PVG) Scheme run by Disclosure Scotland, and are recruited with references.

- Everyone working with young people follows our safeguarding policy and code of conduct, and has child protection training.

- Every activity, residential and expedition has a written risk assessment, appropriate supervision and qualified first aid cover.

- We work openly with parents, carers, schools and referring agencies, and share information only where it is needed to keep a young person safe.

- Photographs are taken and used only with consent.

 

Raising a concern

Our Child Protection Lead is David Ritchie (07795 030367, david@windwardeducation.com). If you are worried about a young person, or about the behaviour of anyone working with Windward, please tell us. Every concern is taken seriously, recorded and, where a child may be at risk, passed on without delay to social work or Police Scotland.

 

You can also report a concern directly to your local council's social work service or to Police Scotland on 101. If a child is in immediate danger, call 999. Young people can talk to Childline free on 0800 1111.

 

Our full safeguarding policy is reviewed every year and is available on request.

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Company details

​Windward Education Limited is registered in Scotland, company number SC647937.