Herefordshire focused Forest Schools information and resources.
Many Primary Schools and Early Years Settings in Herefordshire now have trained Forest School Practitioners delivering Forest School sessions to some or all of the children in the School or Group. If your child’s School or Early Years setting does not run Forest School sessions, they may be still be able to access Forest School sessions. Check the additional providers below the map.
[SLPLUS]
Tel: 07891 173950
Email: [email protected]
Web: http://www.rootedforestschool.co.uk
More info:
A Herefordshire based Forest School, training and outdoor education organisation run by Sam Goddard.
We have been actively involved with the development and provision of Forest School across Herefordshire for a number of years. We work from sites around the county and specialize in mobile provision, accessing woodlands near to you, keeping transport costs to a minimum. We can provide a full programme of Forest School sessions, ranging from one off experiences to a fully integrated rolling programme developing through several years. We cater for all ages, having worked with children as young as 12 months, right through Primary School, Secondary School, adults even up to older people, working with residential care homes in the area.
We also offer training for teachers and other professionals, Forest School consultancy, After-School and Holiday clubs and Birthday Parties.
All people benefit from access to the natural environment and some of the feedback from participants can be found on our Feedback page. We believe that regular access to challenging, achievable activities in a woodland setting can greatly enhance quality of life, learning experiences, promote ecologically sustainable thinking as well as being great fun!
Please contact me for more information or to make a booking.
Charlotte’s Wood, the Burrow, Barton Hill Farm, Kentchurch HR2 0BZ
Tel: 01981 241558 / 07809 449960
Email: [email protected]
Web: http://www.kentchurchforestschool.co.uk
More info:
Forest Practitioner: Ian Johnstone Cert.Ed., Dip. S.E.N., M.A. [Ed.] [Enhanced CRB check; First Aid cert.]
Kentchurch Forest School is situated in a beautiful, unspoilt woodland – 10 acre Charlotte’s Wood – on the Kentchurch Court Estate a few miles from Ewyas Harold. The woodland is abundant with wild flowers and animals.
The Forest School is an inspirational process that offers children and young people regular opportunities to achieve and develop confidence through hands on learning in a woodland environment. The use of a woodland [and therefore ‘wild’] setting is framed by strict safety routines and established boundaries. This allows the flexibility and freedom for child initiated learning and other innovative approaches to learning to take place in an environment of low risk to health and safety [extensive risk assessments are carried out prior to the children arriving at the woodland]. Children will learn to respect and sustain important environments and habitats.
The freedom to explore, using all of their senses, is fundamental to encouraging creative, diverse and imaginative play. This in turn will help the children to develop confidence, self-esteem and self-motivation.
Sessions can vary in length of time as well as start and finish times. Generally, there can be two/three one hour activity sessions and a lunchtime that will include having an open fire and, under strict supervision, cooking such things as marshmallows! An activity loved by all children and adults! Other activities may include – den building, using tools to make items from wood, tying knots, discovering shades of woodland, making mud monsters, tree identification, ivy crowns, shelter building, hide and seek, and making musical instruments from wood! Forest school takes place in all weathers with the appropriate protective clothing and equipment. It does not take place in high winds.
Taking part in the Kentchurch Forest School will give each child positive experiences that will last a life-time.
It will provide Activity, Participation and Enjoyment for all!
Email: [email protected]
Web: www.storyplay.co.uk
More info:
Story Play delivers high quality enrichment programmes for children and their families. The holistic sessions explore stories, storytelling and storymaking with a range of colourful and engaging arts-based activities and there are also workshops for educators and parents. These programmes are designed by Carol Florence Graham, a professional storyteller, writer and Forest School Leader.
Arts Connect West Midlands has recently awarded Story Play a research and development grant and this will enable Story Play to develop new programmes. Story Play is also keen to develop projects with partners in other settings (especially in Forest Schools) and welcomes enquiries from interested preschools, schools or community groups.
Moors Wood, Aylton, Ledbury, Hr8 2QH
Tel: 07951 407 872
Email: [email protected]
Web: www.moorswood.org
More info:
Moors Wood is a small (3 acres) woodland owned and managed by Sarah and Ian Blenkinsop as a private nature reserve and as a sustainably managed source of various wood products.
Sarah is a freelance Environmental Educator, Lecturer and Forest School Leader.
At Moors Wood we offer Forest School, Fun in the Woods, play and storytelling sessions and eco themed parties for children. We also offer training courses for adults covering a wide variety of topics (food preservation, waste minimization, organic gardening, composting, natural/recycled craft skills, lotion and potion making, keeping chickens). These courses can be tailored for children, as required. We also run occasional CPD courses for outdoor educators to brush up on their skills or learn new ones.
Any of the above can also be delivered at your setting and Sarah is also available to give talks to groups on any of the above topics.
Follow the links to find out more about what is on offer. Also visit Sarah’s other site, The Compost Bin, for more general info and advice on sustainable living.