FAQs

What is Forest School?

What type of things are you likely to do during a session?

My child has additional needs, are you able to support them?

Can adults stay with their children?

What do I need to bring/ wear?

Where are you based?

What sessions do you deliver?

“Forest School is a child-centred inspirational learning process, that offers opportunities for holistic growth through regular sessions. It is a long-term program that supports play, exploration and supported risk taking. It develops confidence and self-esteem through learner inspired, hands-on experiences in a natural setting.”

- Forest School Association

At Greenwood Growth we support learners of all ages in various woodlands.

We use a learner led approach inspired by nature so sessions are continually developing with the group. We have a gentle approach where learners can choose their own direction. We use tools, cook on a fire, play games, relax in hammocks, create, play and so much more. The facilitators observe, support and challenge learners enabling them to meet their full potential. Most importantly our learners feel that our space is a safe space where they can be themselves and thrive.

We work with a wide range of people with lots of different needs. We deliver sessions for SEND groups and provide Forest School and Autism training to other Forest school practitioners. Please contact us to discuss your child’s needs so that we are able to support them.

For our home ed sessions we do encourage parents to drop off their children but we also recognise that some children need their carer to attend. Sometimes this is for a short time whilst they settle into the group, we find that a lot of children connect better with the group and gain more from the sessions when their parents are able to step away. For some children this may never be possible and that is ok too.

We ask that you come suitably dressed for the outdoors, this can change depending on the weather, but a good start is covered arms and legs and boots or wellies. You may also want to bring a snack and drink.

Hot weather - Water, sun hat, cool/loose fitting clothing, bug repellent, waterproof coat.

Cold weather- Dressing for very cold weather can be difficult especially if you or your child struggle with the sensations of some clothing. Wool is warm as is fleece (fleece pyjamas seem to be quite popular with some of our children). If the weather is cold, we almost always light a fire and for rain we put up temporary shelter but the right clothes really do help.

Base layer-tights, thermals, leggings, vest, long sleeved top.

Mid layer- jumper and trousers double up on these if needed.

Outer layer- warm and waterproof coat, waterproof trousers.

Accessories- Thick socks (wool are best) hat, gloves, neck warmer.

We move around several locations in Staffordshire, Cheshire and Derbyshire and on school sites. This helps us to have less impact on the spaces we use as well as enabling us to support more children from across the 3 counties. 

Our sites-

Grinlow Woods, Pooles Cavern, Green Lane, Buxton, Derbyshire, SK17 9DH 

(We meet outside the shop/café then walk together uphill to our base this is a 15 minute walk with some steps)

Teggs Nose Woods, Teggs Nose, Reservoir car park (not the top café car park), Holehouse Lane, Langley, Sutton, Macclesfield, SK11 ONB

(Once on Holehouse lane continue to a small car park, bear left over a bridge into the second carpark. We meet here and take a 5 minute walk into base camp)

Ladderedge Country Park, Newcastle Road, Leek, Staffordshire, ST13 7AA.

Ladderedge Country park is split into two parts one on either side of the main road, we work from the same side as the Westwood Golf Club. There is a small track with a carpark at the end, this does have a tendency to fill up so if you can walk in please do so. We meet at the car park and walk (about 5 minutes) to our site.

Horton St Michaels First School, Rudyard, Leek, ST13 8RU

Horton St Michaels are a lovely rural school with their own small woodland which they kindly allow us to use. The woodland is very accessible, we work with specific groups here at the weekends. Park on the roadside, entrance through single gate next to the double gate.

We deliver sessions for Home educated children (5+), Early years (2-4) sessions, and babies in the woods (0-2). Other regular sessions include families who have adopted and children who have SEND (Be You Crew). Alongside all of this we work with schools and provide training and mentoring. 

Please book via the website or contact us if you would like to visit.