Get In Touch

We run sessions in Primary Schools in the Pontefract and Wakefield areas. We also run sessions in North Yorkshire.

• Early years 0-5 years
• Adult team building/wellbeing
• Charity Days
• Primary School Curriculum time sessions
• Tool and Fire workshops for any age

• On a Primary School site so we cam come to you if you wish
• Fishpond Woods in Pateley Bridge, North Yorkshire

A Forest School Leader and an adult helper.

We alternate Tools and Fire activities.

Examples of safe use of tools skills taught are:

• Use of a bow saw and folding saw
• Whittling and Carving with a knife
• Splitting with a froe or billhook
• Use of an axe
• Use of hand drills

Examples of safe use of Fire skills taught are:

• Use of a flint and steel to light a fire
• Building a fire
• Maintaining a fire
• Extinguishing a fire
• Swedish fire lanterns
• Use of a Bow drill
• Making charcoal

Free Play is always available apart from at the adult workshops where it is a more structured approach.

• Hammocks
• Rope swings
• Mud kitchen
• Nature detectives
• Tree identification
• Loose parts craft
• Water play
• Den building

Use the make an enquiry form in the contact us section of the website.

Safety comes first at Forest School. So while we are keen for children to experience risky activities the risk is mitigated by the safety measures that we put in place. For example there is specific protective clothing that a child must wear when using certain tools, like a slash proof glove.

The measures we put in place reduces the risk to low, allowing children to gain that vital experience of risk while staying safe.

There is an updated risk assessment for all activities.

Yes, all staff have indemnity insurance up to £5 million.

All staff hold an up to date enhance DBS check enabling them to work with children and vulnerable adults.

Yes. I have the National award in Special Educational Needs and used to be the SENCo at a primary school so I understand how children with additional needs learn.

Everyone is welcome, however it is vital that these sessions are planned for in order to get the provision and ratio of staff to children correct.

I currently run an Early Years Forest School at Yolk Farm every Thursday morning. This will continue through the summer holidays.

I think 1-2 hours is the optimal time for a session.

Only for 0-5year old sessions and if planned due to a child’s specific needs.

There are so many but the main one in my opinion is that it sets kids up well for life. Skills such as resilience when things aren’t going as well as hoped, the ability to pick yourself up after a knock.

Visit these links to read about Forest School Research.

Scandinavia, more specifically Sweden. Their education system is one of the best in the world. They believe in the power of play in the outdoors. Children don’t start school until they are 7 years old. In the UK it can be as young as 2 years old. Check out the History of forest School.

Click here to view the 6 principles of forest school.