Children should come dressed for the outdoors and the day’s weather.

Please make sure your child wears:

꩜ Long sleeves and full-length trousers

꩜ Sturdy closed-toe footwear, such as walking boots or wellies

꩜ Waterproof jacket and waterproof trousers

꩜ Warm layers in colder weather

꩜ Hat, gloves and scarf in winter

꩜ Sun hat in summer

꩜ Long hair tied back

꩜ No dangling jewellery

Please name everything, so it doesn’t get lost!

Please bring:

꩜ A named water bottle

꩜ Spare clothing, especially socks

꩜ Sunscreen (also applied before arrival in warm weather)

꩜ Insect repellent in spring and summer

꩜ A healthy snack

Fresh drinking water is available throughout the day.

Lunch is provided as part of the day.

Each session includes a seasonal, plant-based meal cooked together on the fire.

We share the lunch menu in advance but if your child doesn’t enjoy a particular meal - please be prepared with an alternative packed lunch.

Dietary requirements, allergies and medical needs are requested upon registration.

Medication such as inhalers or EpiPens should be handed over to staff (clearly named) in the morning and will be kept accessible during the session.

If parents send snacks, they should be healthy and not shared between children.

Sessions run in most weather, including rain, cold and snow.

Shelter, fire, suitable clothing and the changing seasons are all part of the Forest School experience.

Sessions are cancelled or adapted only where safety requires it, such as:

꩜ High winds

꩜ Thunder and lightning

꩜ Dangerous ground conditions

꩜ Flooding or ice

꩜ Extreme heat

Parents will be notified promptly if a session needs to be cancelled or changed.

Toilet facilities are within sight of basecamp, with handwashing and hygiene provision available.

Children are accompanied appropriately where needed.

Drop-off is at 10am and collection is at 4pm at the Pond Garden meeting point.

Exact address, parking and public transport guidance will be confirmed before the programme begins.

Late arrival and late collection procedures will be included in the enrolment information.

We take risk seriously because we take children’s development seriously.

Fire, tools, climbing and woodland exploration are managed through a formal risk-benefit approach. This means we consider both the developmental value of an activity and the potential for harm, then put appropriate controls in place.

Every session includes:

꩜ Qualified Forest School leadership

꩜ Enhanced DBS checks

꩜ Paediatric first aid

꩜ Written site and activity risk-benefit assessments

꩜ Continuous dynamic risk assessment

꩜ A minimum 1:8 adult-to-child ratio

꩜ At least two adults present at all times

꩜ Public liability insurance

Children are encouraged to explore, but never pushed beyond what feels right for them.

No previous Forest School experience is needed.

During the first session of each new term we aim to help children settle into the routines, boundaries and rhythm of the day.

If a child feels nervous, cold, tired or upset, they will be supported by familiar adults who know the group well and respond to behaviour as communication.

Before your child attends, parents will complete an enrolment form covering:

꩜ Consent to participate

꩜ Medical information

꩜ Dietary requirements

꩜ Allergies

꩜ Emergency contacts

꩜ Photo permissions