Forest School

Our Forest School programmes are fully bespoke – tailored from nursery through to secondary, families, adult groups and care settings – with every session designed around your people, your outcomes and your environment.

Explore. Learn. Live.

Forest School is more than outdoor play. It is a carefully structured, learner-centred approach that uses the natural environment to build confidence, resilience, curiosity and wellbeing. At Shepherd Outdoors, our Forest School programmes are designed with purpose, safety and measurable impact at their core — and fully customised to meet the needs of your group.

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Early Years & Primary Forest School

For nursery and primary settings, Forest School nurtures:

• Communication and language development

• Physical coordination and healthy risk awareness

• Social skills and teamwork

• Emotional regulation and confidence

• Curiosity and early scientific enquiry

Sessions can align with EYFS and National Curriculum objectives, supporting literacy, numeracy and personal development through hands-on, experiential learning. From woodland storytelling and den building to fire safety skills and seasonal nature studies, every session is designed to inspire independence, resilience and a lifelong connection to the outdoors.

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Secondary School & Alternative Provision

For secondary learners, Forest School becomes a powerful platform for:

• Building resilience and leadership

• Developing teamwork and communication

• Supporting mental health and emotional wellbeing

• Re-engaging disengaged learners

• Outdoor skills and personal challenge

Programmes can be structured as enrichment days, intervention blocks, outdoor adventure therapy sessions or curriculum-linked fieldwork. We specialise in working with students who benefit from practical, hands-on learning beyond the classroom, providing structured challenge in a safe and supportive environment.

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Family Groups & Community Sessions

Forest School creates shared experiences that strengthen relationships and build community.

Our family and community sessions encourage:

• Collaborative problem solving

• Shared learning across generations

• Outdoor cooking and campfire experiences

• Confidence building in a supportive environment

These sessions are ideal for holiday programmes, wellbeing initiatives, parent groups or community organisations seeking meaningful outdoor engagement.

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Adults & Workplace Wellbeing

Outdoor learning is not just for children. For adults, Forest School provides a restorative, skills-based and purposeful experience.

We offer:

• Mindfulness and stress-reduction sessions

• Team building and leadership development

• Bushcraft and practical outdoor skills

• Nature-based wellbeing programmes

Whether supporting workplace wellbeing, leadership teams or community groups, our sessions combine challenge, reflection and connection.

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Care Homes & Intergenerational Provision

Time outdoors benefits every stage of life. For care settings, our programmes focus on:

• Gentle sensory engagement

• Reminiscence and storytelling

• Nature connection for wellbeing

• Safe, accessible outdoor experiences

Sessions are carefully adapted to mobility levels and cognitive needs, ensuring inclusion, dignity and meaningful participation. We also offer intergenerational Forest School programmes, bringing together younger and older participants to share stories, skills and experiences.

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Why Choose Shepherd Outdoors?

Shepherd Outdoors combines professional outdoor leadership with a strong focus on safety, inclusion and impact.

We provide:

• Qualified Forest School leadership

• Robust safeguarding and risk assessment procedures

• Extensive experience delivering structured outdoor programmes

• A focus on resilience, wellbeing and personal growth

Every programme is built around your setting — whether that is a school woodland, community green space, residential care environment or hired outdoor venue.

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Bespoke Packages Built Around You

No two groups are the same. That is why we offer flexible, fully customised packages, including:

• One-off enrichment days

• Half-term or term-long programmes

• Seasonal blocks

• Targeted intervention packages

• Intergenerational projects

• Curriculum-linked modules

We work collaboratively with you to define outcomes, session structure, duration, staffing and budget, ensuring the programme meets your specific needs and delivers meaningful results.

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Let’s Build Your Forest School Programme

If you are a nursery or school leader, SENCO, pastoral lead, community organiser, care home manager, parent group coordinator or wellbeing lead, we would love to discuss how Forest School can support your learners, residents or team.

Contact Shepherd Outdoors today to explore bespoke packages and discover how we can bring purposeful, transformative outdoor learning to your setting.

Shepherd Outdoors – Explore. Learn. Live.