Into the Woods Forest School Ltd.

We are an independent Forest School based at Ulverscroft Manor, Leicestershire. Our site is within an area of scientific special interest and in the heart of Charnwood Forest.

What is Forest School?

Forest School is an approach to learning and development, that takes place in a woodland setting, on a regular basis. The idea was originally brought to the UK in the 1990's from successful practice in Scandinavia. Now many Early Years settings and Primary Schools have integrated Forest School into their teaching practice.

For us, Forest School is about providing opportunities for growth in every area of development and there are so many benefits to taking part, (health and well-being, language development and physical skills to name just a few). We feel that the experience and opportunities are so valuable, everyone can and should benefit. Therefore, our long-term goal is to enable Forest School to be accessible for all ages and stages of life.

About Us

“Hi there, I’m Helen. I have a degree in textiles and love anything crafty! I have a four-year-old boy who is very energetic, but have already witnessed the positive impact that a woodland environment can have on behaviour. I run a Guide group locally and have lots of experience creating and cooking on the fire! I also love organising parties and don’t get me started about Christmas time!”

“Hi, I’m Emma. I have two boys aged three and four. I am a qualified Primary School Teacher and taught for 9 years before leaving the profession to raise my own children. I taught in both Early Years and Key Stage One. I have lots of enthusiasm for instilling learning and development and helping others. I also love learning new things myself! I am trained in breastfeeding peer support and am passionate to be able to help parents achieve their goals, whatever they may be.”

Our Site

We are based at Ulverscroft Manor, in the heart of Charnwood Forest. The Shuttlewood Clarke Foundation have kindly given us permission to work alongside them. The land that surrounds us is part of site of scientific interest, which means we have an abundance of flora and fauna in and around site. We are constantly making new discoveries. Follow us on Facebook to find out the latest!

There is plenty of parking with a short walk to Into the Woods Forest School. The toilet block sits in-between the car park and our site, with baby changing facilities also available. Breastfeeding is always welcome and babies under 6 months can come along free to any session.

Still not sure where we are? Click here to bring up the map!

Our Sessions

We are an independent Forest School, who follow the Forest School Ethos. We are not governed by a curriculum like schools and nurseries, but are able to integrate different learning theories e.g. Montessori, Rousseau, Locke and Reggio Emilia within our sessions. Curriculum links for activities are made within sessions, but not overtly. This is because participants can choose activities, so they may choose to focus and develop their skills in a particular area, or use resources in a different way and this creativity is encouraged.

We have a range of areas on site that children and adults are free to explore. These include:

A very well stocked outdoor kitchen
A large loose part play area
Swings and hammocks
Messy and craft areas
Painting wall
Den building area
Weaving station

The above areas are being adapted and added to all the time. We currently have a large wooden gazebo being built, which will enable a more permanent sheltered area and create another great versatile space.

We pride ourselves on our sessions using natural, eco-friendly resources. Our materials and equipment, where possible, are also reused, re-purposed and recycled. We strive to keep the woodland environment eco-friendly and lead by example.

Our aim as Forest School Leaders is to provide a fun and safe space to promote health, well-being and education for families in Leicestershire.

FAQs

Do I stay with my child/ren during sessions?

All our sessions require an adult to stay with children under 5's.

Can I have a trial session?

Yes, we can offer the first Little Discoveries session half price! Just go on the booking system (by clicking book now above) and insert the code 50OFF to secure your place!

What happens if I book a session, but then cannot attend?

If you are unable to attend for any reason and have paid upfront please let us know at least 24 hours before the session date and we can roll the payment over to the next available session. If less than 24 hours notice is given, resources may have already been purchased in anticipation for your child attending and therefore we cannot guarantee to be able to roll the payment onto the next session.

For special one-off sessions (for example Halloween, Christmas), payment upfront is required to secure your booking and we are unable to offer a refund for these sessions.

Are there discounts for block booking?

Yes, our booking system will automatically take 20% off when you book 6 Little Discovery sessions. This offer not apply to Home Ed sessions or special events.

I work with a group that would love to attend a Forest School session experience. Can you run a session for us?

Yes! Please get in touch and we will be happy to discuss and create a session to meet your needs - whether adults, children, or a mixture of both!

Are Home Ed children welcome?

Yes, all ages are always welcome to all our sessions. We want our sessions to be inclusive of all. We believe diversity from backgrounds, ages, stages etc. enhance the learning opportunities we can provide, as children learn so much from each other.

Do you offer party packages?

Yes, our basic party package is £150. Please see the Let's Party tab at the top for more information.

Something we missed or you'd like to know more?

We would love to hear from you! You can contact us via Facebook, Whatsapp or our email address is below!