Welcome to the Surrey Skills Academy!

Originally set up to provide practical skills training, the Skills Academy has been redesigned and expanded to include a wider range of Skills Departments, as well as a ‘Wood Badge’ Department, consisting of Wood Badge modules; Nights Away training; and Management training. This redevelopment is still ongoing, with a number of Departments currently being redesigned and relaunched.

The Skills Academy has become the focal point for volunteer training in Surrey, and it’s a key part of the wider Volunteer Development Team. Overall responsibility for the Academy rests with the Skills Academy Lead, but it’s the efforts of the skilled team of Department Leads, organising their respective training courses, which makes the Academy successful.

The Skills Departments within the Academy reflect the core elements of the programme matrix, enabling the delivery of an adventurous and progressive programme across the County. As of September 2025, the composition and leadership of Departments within the Skills Academy is as follows:

The Surrey Skills Academy (Lead: Carter Coles)

Skills Departments

• Bushcraft (Lead: Malcolm McKee)
• First Aid Skills (Lead: Martin David)
• Health (Lead: VACANT)
• Hikes, Expeditions, and Navigation (Lead: Andrew Carvell)
• Pioneering (Lead: Paul Iverson)
• Values (Lead: Joe Rogerson)

Wood Badge Department 

• Wood Badge Modules (Lead: Pauline Lewer)
  • Skills of Leadership (8)
  • Working with Adults (9)
  • Growing the Section (13)
  • Practical Skills (18)
  • International (19)
• Nights Away (Lead: Pauline Lewer)
  • Residential Experiences (16)
  • Skills for Residential Experiences (38)
  • Campfire Leadership
• Managers and Supporters Modules (Lead: Howard Hills)

Skills Academy training is open to any and all volunteers in Surrey Scouts. So whatever your role and whatever your skill level, we look forward to seeing you soon! If you have any queries, suggestions, or would like to get involved in any capacity, please contact the Surrey Skills Academy Lead, Carter Coles, at carter.coles@surrey-scouts.org.uk

Please visit the linked pages to find more information about course content, and contact details for Department Leads. Dates for upcoming training, as well as more details and booking information, can be found on the training calendar HERE.