Forest Schools in East of England

St Mary’s CofE Lower School and Nursery

Clophill St Marys CofE lower school provides Forest School sessions for its pupils. All children in Year 1 receive fortnightly, three-hour sessions throughout the school year in nearby Irene's Wood. The sessions are run in small groups of less than 15 children. The school was the first Forest School Association (FSA) Recognised Forest School Provider in Bedfordshire, achieving this status in Summer 2022 and retaining it. Their provision follows the six core principles of Forest School, offering regular opportunities for children to develop confidence and self-esteem through hands-on learning in a natural environment.

Priory Park Infant School

Nature of Learning Forest School

Nature of Learning provides award-winning Forest School sessions year-round in Ashdon, led by Sarah. The provision focuses on child-led play and fostering nature connection within a beautiful woodland setting. Activities are diverse, including mud kitchen fun, stream play, tree climbing, tool use, fire lighting and cooking, crafts, and nature exploration, promoting holistic development and mental wellbeing for participants.

Strong Roots Childcare

Strong Roots Childcare aims to enrich the lives of children through synergy with nature. Their philosophy emphasizes evoking wonder, imagination, and traditional play. They operate under the belief that strong foundations are essential for growth, referencing the quote "For a Tree to grow tall, it must first grow ‘Strong Roots’ beneath the rocks".

Drake Primary School

Horning Primary

Pathfinder Federation (Erpingham Primary and Northrepps Primary)

Blue Sky Federation's Forest School operates based on six core principles. It is described as a long-term process involving frequent and regular sessions held in a woodland or natural environment, rather than one-off visits. The approach aims to foster a relationship between the learner and the natural world, promoting holistic development including resilience, confidence, independence, and creativity. Learning is learner-centred, offering opportunities for supported risk-taking appropriate to the environment and the individual.

Grange Primary School

Kinda Education CIC

Kinda Forest School primarily offers 'Forest School for Elders in the Woods', now in its 6th year. Sessions run on Thursdays, featuring a light lunch cooked over the fire followed by activities. The provider focuses on well-being through engagement with nature in a woodland setting. Note: This website (kindaforestschool.com) is stated as the 'old web page', with the main site moved to kindaeducation.org.uk.

Learning In Nature CIC

Beccles Forest Schools fiercely protects the right to play freely and is person-centred, wholly embedded in the natural world. They aim to meet the learning, development, and well-being needs of participants by celebrating autonomy and fostering innate curiosity and connection within a cherished community. Their vision is to make every day in nature an opportunity for free play, exploring relationships with the wild world and each other. This approach aims to create sustainable well-being for all involved.