Fiona Danks, Jo Schofield

Jo Schofield gained a degree in psychology from Exeter University and began her career working for an educational psychologist in London. After getting involved in the production of a film, she went on to work in the creative department of a TV advertising agency where she began taking still photographs. This led on to her becoming a commercial photographer in Australia and then London. She worked mainly for national editorial magazines such as Country Living. When her children were small she worked in Watlington Primary School and the Dragon school in Oxford, applying her creative knowledge to the classroom with children aged 6-9 years. More recently she has been focusing on writing and photographing for a series of books with co-author Fiona Danks.

Fiona Danks did a degree in Ecology at Edinburgh University followed by a PGCE in Rural and Environmental Science at Bath College of Higher Education. She worked in environmental education for a number of years, first for the Shropshire Wildlife Trust and then for the Berkshire Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire Wildlife Trust, organizing training for teachers and taking groups of children out to nature reserves and other wild sites. She then went on to write books about the Chiltern Hills and the Cotswold Hills while working part-time running activities in a pre-school nursery. She currently runs the Trust for Oxfordshire’s Environment, a charity and non-profit making company providing grants for environmental projects across Oxfordshire. This part-time role complements her partnership with Jo Schofield; together they are researching, photographing and writing a series of books under the name “Going Wild”. Fiona is also a trustee of the Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire Wildlife Trust.

The inspiration and ideas for their books came from sharing combined adventures with their own families and a mutual belief in the importance of giving children and young people the freedom to enjoy outdoor adventures.

Together they have written Nature’s Playground, Go Wild, Make it Wild , Run Wild and now The Stick Book. Their aim is to inspire all young people to get off the sofa, away from the temptations of technology and have real-life fun experiences outdoors. They believe through this hands on learning positive benefits are evident, producing healthier, confident, well-balanced adults with a greater respect and understanding of the natural world.

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Featured Books, with extracts by Fiona Danks, Jo Schofield

The Stick Book : Loads of Things You Can Make or Do with a Stick
Fiona Danks, Jo Schofield
This is a wonderfully inspiring book for the great outdoors or indoors for that matter.  The authors offer masses of suggestions for things to do with a stick, in the way of adventures and bushcraft, creative and imaginative play, games,...
Featured in: 7+ readers | 9+ readers | Out and About
Format: Paperback - Released: 15/03/2012
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Run Wild ! Outdoor Games and Adventures
Fiona Danks, Jo Schofield
Inspirational! Full of tempting, action packed photos, this introduction to having fun in the outdoors should get parents and their children out there as soon as possible. The range of activities is huge from boisterous outdoor games for big groups...
Featured in: 11+ readers | 7+ readers | 9+ readers | Out and About
Format: Hardback - Released: 07/04/2011
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Make it Wild! 101 Things to Make and Do Outdoors
Fiona Danks, Jo Schofield
A terrific book to lure kids away from their computers and to go outside to discover the natural world around us.  It’s packed with ideas for creative activities using natural materials to make things.  Aimed more at the parent than...
Featured in: 11+ readers | 14+ readers | Fascinating Facts | Out and About
Format: Paperback - Released: 06/05/2010
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Go Wild! 101 Things to Do Outdoors Before You Grow Up
Fiona Danks, Jo Schofield
Great title and this book does exactly what it says – Go Wild outdoors before you grow up!  There are so many activities within the pages to tempt young people outside and to undertake a range of outdoor adventures.  Whether...
Featured in: 11+ readers | 14+ readers | Fascinating Facts | Out and About
Format: Paperback - Released: 09/04/2009
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Nature's Playground Activities, Crafts and Games to Encourage Your Children to Enjoy the Great Outdoors
Fiona Danks, Jo Schofield
This book is packed to the brim with great games, crafts and adventures, encouraging children and their families, carers and teachers to get into the great outdoors.  Whether you live in the city or village, whether you are a parent...
Featured in: 11+ readers | 14+ readers | Fascinating Facts | Out and About
Format: Hardback - Released: 01/03/2006
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