Schools & Nurseries

Education programme

Improve mental health, increase activity and learn new skills.
We provide a range of services to best meet your needs. We can cover all things outdoors, from science experiments, mini beasts, den building, building independence and everything in between. 
Take a look below at our opportunities for curriculum coverage, after school clubs and Forest School.
Contact us to book your activities

We have a number of packages for schools! 
All sessions are designed especially for each booking, sessions can be designed to be inclusive of age ranges and disabilities- EYFS, KS1, KS2, KS3 & SEND.

Sessions can be delivered on your own school site OR on our woodland site within Kingmoor Nature Reserve, Carlisle.

To book a session, simply get in touch by email or by phone. Please include information: Named contact and contact details; details of school; number of participants and age range; activities you are interested in.

What will happen next? We will get back to you with availability and organise a convenient time for a phone discussion or meeting at your school setting, to discuss further details.

01

Forest School 

Develop confident, resilient, happy children.
  • School staff must be present at a minimum ratio of 1:10 off site, or 1:15 on school site (this may change dependent on activities).
  • Available for Half Days and Full Days.
  • Most beneficial to participants when delivered regularly- weekly or every other week (discounts available for booking multiple sessions).
  • Activities tailored to your groups needs and experiences (please provide us with any specific details).
  • Maximum of 30 children (this can be discussed in special circumstances).
  • Sessions ideally delivered in Kingmoor Nature Reserve, Carlisle (CA3 9PZ) OR if travel is an issue, let us come to you, we can transform your school field into a hub of activity- all we need is a natural area to base ourselves on. Then you can leave the rest to us! 
Sessions may include, but not limited to: 
  • Knot tying, 
  • Fire lighting
  • Cooking lunch over a fire
  • Team, pair and individual challenges, 
  • Interactive games
  • Sensory challenges (including blindfolded games)
  • Den building
  • Story telling activities
  • Free/imaginitive play 
  • Environmental arts and crafts
  • Woodwork- using hand tools (if appropriate).
  • Marshmallow/ Popcorn around the fire
  • Habitat investigations.
  • Relaxing in hammocks
  • Games
Forest School activities aim to promote a positive outlook and self esteem, whilst developing independence and resilience in pupils. 


Forest School After school clubs 
are available following half (PM) or full day sessions.  We bring all the equipment! Activities will be forest school based, including:
  • Knot tying, 
  • Fire lighting
  • Team, pair and individual challenges, 
  • Interactive games
  • Sensory challenges (including blindfolded games)
  • Den building
  • Story telling activities
  • Free play 
  • Environmental arts and crafts
  • Woodwork- using hand tools (if appropriate)
  • Habitat investigations.

£40 for a 1 hour session; Max, 20 children; a minimum of 1:10 school staff:children member must be present for health and safety purposes.

02

 Outdoor Learning - Curriculum based
As a qualified teacher- I am able to provide outdoor lessons exploring the curriculum. These are Adult- Led sessions.
  • School staff must be present at a minimum ratio of 1:10 (this may change dependent on activities).
  • Available for Half Days and Full Days.
  • Sessions are delivered in Kingmoor Nature Reserve, Carlisle (CA3 9PZ) or on your school site if travel is an issue.
  • Maximum of 30 children (this can be discussed in special circumstances).
Please select a maximum of 3 curriculum areas from below that you would be interested in focusing on in your session: 
For example : Seasonal changes,  Observing natural patterns and Sustainable Fashion with natural dyes.
  • Science
    • Water
    • Seasonal changes
    • The importance and impact of light
    • Exploring forces, gravity; water and air resistance; friction
    • Fauna & flora (Plants and Animals) -observations, identifying and classifying
    • Mini experiments with variables
    • Interaction of materials
    • Living things and their habitats
    • Develop scientific vocabulary
    • Developing questioning skills through encouraging intrinsic curiosity
    • Evolution and adaption
    • Plants - structure, uses, variety, vocabulary
    • Sound- identifying different sounds and distances they can travel

  • Sustainability
    • Reuse, reduce and recycle- up-cycling workshops
    • Fashion and natural dyes
    • Composting

  • Environmental education
    • Mini beast hunts
    • Nature walks
    • Species identification

  • Developing reading, writing and language
    • Story telling, inspiring poetry, drama games
    • Giving instructions through games and play
    • Diary writing- reflecting on experiences, activities and emotions
    • Letter formation with natural resources
    • Developing fine motor skills
    • Using and creating keys to identify fauna and flora
    • Effective communication

  • Design and Technology
    • Use of hand tools including bow saw, whittling knives, mallets and billhooks.
    • Look at effective structures- den building
    • Cookery- using seasonal produce, select, design and prepare food dishes - over a fire.
    • Creating visually appealing, purposeful and functional products.
    • Material interactions - Selecting appropriate materials based on functional properties

  • Maths
    • Observing natural angles, symmetry, 2d & 3d shapes
    • Measuring lengths, heights, volumes
    • Data gathering- species surveys, weather recording, tree circumferences
    • Coordinates, position and direction- using a compass & orienteering

  • Art
    • Sculpture work using a variety of materials- mud, clay, wood
    • Observing natural patterns and lines in nature
    • Sketch opportunities
    • Environmental arts e.g. creation of mandalas, hapa zome (plant bashing), collage
    • Exploring colours and their importance in natural environments

  • Physical education
    • Team building  and independent activities
    • Outdoor and adventurous activities
    • Tree climbing (limited height)
    • Balance activities
    • Non competitive physical activities
    • Orienteering

  • PSHE
    • Focus on developing intrinsic interest in students, positive encouragement to reach outside of comfort zones and try new things. 
    • Boosting self esteem
    • Flexible approach- Freedom of choice to explore
    • Free play for unguided interaction with peers
    • Enhanced self awareness and awareness of others around them
    • Increased awareness of the environment around them
    • Students become engrossed in activities


03

One day workshops

We also run one day workshops on the following topics:
  • Tool use and whittling (KS2+)
  • Fire awareness and lighting (KS1+)
  • Staff Team building days
  • Trainee Teacher - Forest School experience days
  • Natural crafts
Details of the above will be confirmed following discussions about your group, abilities and requirements.

04

Something a little different?

Have you got an  idea of what you would like to do that is not listed above? With my knowledge of the curriculum and the great doors, I'm more than happy to help. Get in contact with me (Josie) and we can put together a package that best suits you!

"A student's greatest assets are enthusiasm, curiosity and a sense of wonder" Joseph Cornell.

Activity timings & pricing.
***OFFER*** All schools NEW to the programs are entitled to 1 FULL DAY taster session at the price of a HALF DAY if they go on to book a block of 6 or more sessions.

During full day FS sessions, lunch can be cooked by the group on the fire. Costs of ingredients will be added to a final invoice.

Option 1: 

1-5 sessions booked

Half Day £140
Full Day £180




Recommended*


Option 2:

6 + sessions booked in a block

Half Day £135
Full Day £170


The Forest School association recommends REGULAR exposure to sessions in order to gain maximum benefits.





Multiple sessions

Consider booking multiple sessions for a discounted price.
Half days are approx 3 hours of delivery 9-12 or 12-3.
Full days fit the school day from 9am-3pm.
**Costs are per session and include agreed activities, (Plus Fire and Marshmallows to toast during FS sessions).

Risk assessments, policies and public liability insurance are available for all activities and can be seen on request.

Leader- Josie Carding, is a qualified Primary School Teacher, with experience in SEND. She is a Forest School Leader, holds a Biology degree, Outdoor and Forest School first aid, alongside Paediatric first aid qualifications and a Level 2 Food Hygiene certificate.

Interested? Get in touch!

Contact us here.
Share by: