Thanks for finding us and welcome to Forest Schooling UK.  I am a fully qualified Forest School Leader with more than 25 years of experience working with children and young people aged 3–18 across both state and independent education, in creative indoor and outdoor environments. Throughout my career, one truth has remained constant: children thrive when they are understood, supported, and given the right environment in which to grow.

​

My work is deeply shaped by lived experience. Raising my two adopted children with social, emotional, and mental health (SEMH) needs quickly showed me that mainstream education does not work for every child. Too often it moves at the wrong pace, leaving young people feeling frustrated, misunderstood, and unfairly labelled as the problem. Forest Schooling UK was founded in direct response to this reality, with a clear belief that education should adapt to the child, not the other way around.

​

Alongside my role here, I serve as a Governor at a SEMH school in South West London and regularly speak at adoption events, where I share honest insight into SEMH and related needs. This work continues to reinforce what we see every day: when children feel safe, valued, and connected, meaningful learning follows.

​

Forest Schooling UK exists to provide that space. Calm, nurturing and responsive - where every young person can rebuild confidence, rediscover curiosity and move forward with dignity.

​

Thank you for taking the time to learn about our work.

 

Stephen
Head, Forest Schooling UK