We are Forest Schooling UK
We are an Alternative Provision supporting young people who face challenges in mainstream education by providing environments where they feel safe and comfortable to explore their emotions. Operating across two sites in Kingston upon Thames, South West London, we welcome referrals from the Educational Inclusion Support Service (EISS) in Kingston and Richmond, as well as directly from schools and home-schooling parents in local boroughs.
We specialize in working with children who have identified Social, Emotional, and Mental Health (SEMH) needs, including those without an Educational Health Care Plan (EHCP).
At the heart of our approach is the belief that every child is unique, and we celebrate individuality in everything we do. Whether a child has a diagnosis, a label, or simply wishes to be themselves, we provide a nurturing space where they can explore their emotions and better understand their place in the world — an opportunity that isn’t always possible in traditional classroom settings.
Our urban woodlands and allotments offer primary-aged children a safe and engaging space to connect with nature, discover what motivates them, and explore the full range of their emotions in a supportive and non-judgmental environment.
Mission, Vision and Ethos
Our Vision
We recognise and understand that we are all individuals. We work together with young people to provide an emotionally secure environment in which they can develop a sense of self, empowering them to go on to achieve in their educational journey.
We achieve this through our mission
Flourishing
We strive to equip all children in our care with the emotional skills needed to meet their full potential and to flourish through a concentrated, innovative and specialised approach.
Safety
We keep all of our young people safe, emotionally and physically, to ensure they are able to become happy and healthy adults.
Understanding
We will ensure all of our young people are understood by others, understand themselves, and have a broad understanding of the world and others around them.
Kindness
We are kind and considerate to each other's differences and abilities.
Our Ethos
We believe that until children are emotionally secure they are unable to access traditional classroom education. Our holistic and child-led approach has an emphasis on pupils’ social and emotional wellbeing as well as their communication development. This is essential in supporting them to be ready to access learning.
I even dropped off a grumpy kid this morn & picked up a happy kid at 12pm so whatever you’re doing is working wonders for him & we can’t thank you all enough.
Parent
Loved it ! My daughter came out skipping with joy everyday. She loved ‘everything about it’ but a major highlight was petting the chickens. She asked if we can book for Christmas already :) thank you !
Stephanie
My son was absolutely happy, and he wants to come again. He probably never touched a chicken before.
Zina
Since he returned from Christmas he has been able to access nearly all his learning in the classroom alongside his peers.
He wants to show that he can be independent and his adult is stepping back and supporting other children and checking in him
He is attaining well academically.
He is able to self-advocate for himself and ask for what he needs most of the time eg a movement break.
He is playing successfully with his friends and an adult noticed recently that he was able to successfully solve a conflict with a couple of his friends.
He is talking positively about his move and seems to be really looking forward to this. He said that he thinks he doesn't need a learning leader (TA) when he moves.
When he started at forest school, he was in flight/fight mode for much of the day.
He was running out of the classroom on a daily basis, unable to engage in learning, resistant to demand and generally presented as a highly anxious child.
Thank you to you and your team.
Teacher
This has been my kids' favourite camp of the summer. They love that there is free play and they can choose what to do. They're very fond of Laura and Kay, and they enjoy the choice of activities, whether it's building a fire, being with the chickens, or braving the slackline.
Kate
My daughter has been attending forest school for a few months and absolutely loved every session. There are so many fun, creative and messy activities - den building, camp fire, storytelling, feeding chickens to name a few. She comes out with a big smile after every session.
Maria
Mu daughter Aysegul attended the christmas club and the chicken/rabbit feed this christmas. She told me that it was the greatest day of her life. Thank you guys for teaching our kids to have great time out in the nature. :)
gokcen
My daughter always has a great adventure and always wants to go back.
Christine
Ava absolutely loved the session. She was kept busy and enjoyed a variety of activities. We’ll definitely come back.
Cheryl
Harvey always comes away happy and lively! He loves the freedom, the independence and the adventure of forest school and it’s so good for him to get that fresh air and time to be messy and young! Thank you Laura and Kay
Jo
Em had an amazing time as always. Thank you for all the adventures and for helping build her confidence.
Leo
From a child - I loved forest school, and all the activities that they do there. I can’t wait to come back! My favourite bit was the crafts (and the chickens! And the climbing, and the hot chocolate…just all of it!!)
Gabi