This video is for children to watch so they know a little but about what to expect when they come to Forest School.
Hi Forest School Fans!
So my story in a nutshell is that I am a parent myself, I started out my working life as a nurse. I then re-trained as a teacher and spent the majority of that time in Early Years. This is where I realised what was important to children and how they can flourish given the right environment. As a result, I am very clear about my own view of what good education looks like especially for young children.
Children need to have time to be free to play as this is where they learn their most valuable lessons in life, in a safe environment, where we are all practising and it’s ok to make mistakes. Children can learn that there are lots of right answers and learning to see things from someone else’s perspective is invaluable.
In short, Forest School supports this and impacts upon the whole child and their well being, preparing and enabling them. I therefore decided to walk the walk as well as talk the talk. So I decided to do my Forest School leader course and left my job as a teacher in the Summer of 2017 to set up Grass Roots Muddy Boots, in order to pursue an educational ethos that I am passionate about. Come and play the Forest School way!
This is me, Sally, very pleased to meet you.
Siobhan and I have been collaborating since October 2018. Siobhan runs her own Forest School, Treetops. She has a been leading outdoor education at a North Yorkshire Primary school for over 7 years delivering curriculum linked learning and Forest School and was previously in an Early Years environment for many years. Recently she completed her Thrive Training and has been merging the Forest School approach with Thrive Approach to support children’s social and emotional well-being as a Learning Mentor in a North Yorkshire Primary School. Siobhan is also a foster carer for North Yorkshire Council and embraces working with children who find everyday life a challenge, she believes that every child has a right to Thrive.
We make a great team as we both invest greatly in including all children in Forest School and the benefits of regular Forest School.
This is Siobhan from Treetops Forest School. We do Family and holiday club sessions together.
Chris is semi-retired and LOVES making stuff out of wood.
Joan is a super keen gardener and loves being outside sharing her knowledge of plants and birds with the children.
Nick usually works as a dentist but loves making fires in the woods at Forest School.
Sophie is a qualified forest school leader, teacher and a mountain rescuer, she also loves making stuff with ropes at Forest School!
Phil is a semi-retired police officer who loves playing out and having a positive impact on young people.
Millie is in University but also does all the graphic design and social media posts. In her spare time volunteers at our holiday clubs. She loves working with Early Years and additional needs children!
All our adults are DBS checked and I know personally very well. Keeping children in our care safe is our first priority. We are insured and have all the correct policies and procedures in place to ensure that while children are taking risks and challenging themselves they are also safe.