Fforest Fawr, Cardiff

Forest School Wales invites you to join Forest School and other outdoor learning practitioners for a family day in the woods sharing campfire cooking, celebrating nettles, and learning about sustainable Forest School and other Forest School developments.

Find out more by scrolling down the page or clicking on the tabs below:

Skillshare
About the Venue
Other information
Booking details & Reservations

We will try to tailor sessions around the needs of participants. Please book early to ensure your preferred sessions are included.

Looking forward to seeing you there!

SkillshareGo to top

Please let us know if you would like to offer a skillshare session or other help on the day. So far we have received the following offers and suggestions ~

• Teaching about Sustainability in the outdoors ~ try out some simple activities and games, and help to develop more for various client groups as part of FSW Climate Change project.
• Be Nice to Nettles week ~ try some nettle tea and soup; make nettle string. Learn about other wildfoods at Forest School
• Education for Sustainable Development and Global Citizenship ~ what is it and how can we deliver it at Forest School?
• Other activities including ~ matchless firelighting, tin can charcoal-making, Make your own Forest School Abacus.

About the VenueGo to top

Fforest Ffawr is an extensive area of mature Beech woodland. The simple fire circle has been the focus of Forest School activities for many years for Ty Gwyn Special School and Forest School Wales, and was visited by delegates at the FCW conference (Oct 2010).

The site is owned by the Forestry Commission Wales and has a large car park and good wheelchair access. There are no toilets.

We will be outside all day, so you’ll need to dress accordingly!

Other informationGo to top

Decrease your Forest School Carbon Footprint ~ displays linking daily Forest School activities to Climate Change & sustainability.

Forest School Swap Shop ~ Bring along your unwanted kit, reports, books, etc. Swap them for something you need in return for donations towards the running of the event. Buy your Woodcookies here!

UK FS NGB ~ find out how local practitioners will be affected by the planned UK National Governing Body for Forest School and suggest ways it could support you.

FSW Inclusion project ~ following on the success of the Woodcraft Skills training project, FSW is starting to develop a special needs inclusion project, including training for practitioners working with Special Needs. Come along and find out how you can get involved in developing this project.

Food ~ we will provide a simple Forest School lunch and lots of opportunities to network over tea and snacks.

Please let us know if you would like to bring your family to this event.

Booking details & reservationsGo to top

All members of Forest School Wales are welcome to participate in this event.

If you have not already joined FSW, learn more about Membership benefits and join now

Costs ~ £10 / adult plus donations for children.

Concessions ~ We need to make this small charge this year to cover expenses like food and volunteer travel as there is no grant funding for this event. FSW does not wish for any member to be excluded because of cost. We are happy to discuss concessions if you contact us.

If you would like to help with this event, find out more, or reserve your place please contact Sarah or Babs or email info@forestschoolwales.org.uk

Cefn Wood, Pen y Bont, near Llandrindod Wells

Forest School Wales invites you to join Forest School and other outdoor learning practitioners for a family weekend in the woods sharing activities, ideas and merriment and helping to celebrate our 10th Birthday with our Special Guests, including Gordon Woodall.

Gordon Woodall was the driving force behind much of the early development of Forest School in the UK. He was one of the first people to develop and deliver Forest School Leader training. His first trainees were so inspired they went onto set up FSW, FS SNPT and the FS Trainers Network. First and foremost a highly experienced Forest School Leader, having run Burnworthy Forest School for many years, Gordon is a wealth of inspiration and practical advice.

Annie Thompson was one of the first people in Wales to qualify as a Forest School Leader and set up an independent Forest School. She is a skilled backwoods worker and FS practitioner ~ many of the activities we take for granted at Forest school today, were initially developed by Annie and her friends at Cefn Wood. Annie was a co-founder of FSW and a trustee for many years.

Find out about plans so far by scrolling down the page or clicking on the links below:

Skillshare
About the Venue
Other information
Booking details / book now

Please let us know if you would like to offer a skillshare session or other help at this special celebratory event.

Looking forward to seeing you there!

SkillshareGo to top

We will try to tailor sessions around the needs of participants. Please book early to help us plan an event that delivers what you want!

So far we have received the following offers and suggestions:

• Teaching about Sustainability in the outdoors ~ try out some simple activities and games, and help to develop more for various client groups as part of FSW Climate Change project.
• A walk around Cefn Wood with Annie Thompson looking at how the woodlands are being sustainably managed, and how they support Forest School pupils.
• Sustainable cooking and eating at Forest School ~ Why is it better to cook soup than bring a packed lunch? Try a range of campfire cooking techniques and share some Wildfood for the ultimate in low carbon eating.
• Education for Sustainable Development and Global Citizenship ~ what is it and how can we deliver it at Forest School? Including a guided tour of CAT to get ideas
• Other drop in  or led activities with sustainable theme eg ~ matchless firelighting, tin can charcoal-making, string making, felt making, make your own abacus.

About the VenueGo to top

We’re at Cefn Wood again this year, thanks to Annie Thompson’s generosity. It is a beautiful ancient mixed woodland with a diverse flora and fauna. The woodland is being brought into active management, with evidence of coppicing and oak bark collection.

Adjacent to the wood is a meadow and river – perfect for taking time out. If you’re really lucky you may see an otter like someone on last years event!

This is one of the oldest and best established Forest School sites n Wales and includes a range of beautiful shelters and lots of wooden instruments and other artefacts.

The sessions will all be outside or under tarpaulin cover, so you’ll need to dress appropriately.

Camping ~ pitch your tent in the woods or sleep in one of the existing shelters. The site has a tap & a wheelchair accessible compost toilet

Car parking in the wood is extremely limited, so we may have to organise lifts from a nearby carpark.

Other informationGo to top

Annual General Meeting (AGM) ~ get involved and help to plan our next 10 years of achievements!

Forest School Swap Shop ~ Bring along your unwanted kit, reports, books, etc. Swap them for something you need in return for donations towards the running of the event. Buy your Woodcookies here!

Decrease your Forest School Carbon Footprint ~ displays linking daily Forest School activities to Climate Change & sustainability

Trainee trouble shooting ~ a chance for trainees to discuss their portfolios with other trainees and qualified practitioners

UK FS NGB ~ find out how local practitioners will be affected by the planned National Governing Body for Forest School, suggest ways it could support you.

FSW Inclusion project ~ following on the success of the Woodcraft Skills training project, FSW is starting to develop a special needs inclusion project, including training for practitioners working with Special Needs. Come along and find out how you can get involved.

Food ~ we will provide a simple Forest School lunch on both days, an evening meal on Saturday, and lots of opportunities to network over tea and snacks.

Social ~ bring your songs, instruments and night games for a social gathering on Saturday evening.

Families welcome ~ we will provide drop-in children’s activities subject to demand ~ please book early to help us plan!

Booking details / book nowGo to top

All members of Forest School Wales are welcome to participate in this event.

If you have not already joined FSW, learn more about Membership benefits and join now

Costs ~ £20 / adult plus donations for children.

Concessions ~ We need to make this small charge this year to cover expenses like food and volunteer travel as there is no grant funding for this event. FSW does not wish for any member to be excluded because of cost. We are happy to discuss concessions if you contact us.

If you would like to help with this event, find out more, or reserve your place please contact Sarah or Babs or email info@forestschoolwales.org.uk

Coed Gwern, Centre for Alternative Technology, Machynlleth

Sustainable Forest School

Forest School Wales invites you to join Forest School and other outdoor learning practitioners for a family weekend in the woods sharing activities and discussions on all aspects of sustainable Forest School from Carbon Footprints to funding, with lots of campfire cooking along the way.

Find out more by scrolling down the page or clicking on the tabs below:

Skillshare
About the Venue
Other information
Booking details & reservations

We will try to tailor sessions around the needs of participants. Please book early to ensure your preferred sessions are included.

Looking forward to seeing you there!

SkillshareGo to top

Please let us know if you would like to offer a skillshare session or other help on the day. So far we have received the following offers and suggestions ~

• Teaching about Sustainability in the outdoors ~ try out some simple activities and games, and help to develop more for various client groups as part of FSW Climate Change project.
• Sustainable cooking and eating at Forest School ~ Why is it better to cook soup than bring a packed lunch? Try a range of campfire cooking techniques and share some Wildfood for the ultimate in low carbon eating.
• Sustainable Woodland  Management~ a tour of Coed Gwern /other CAT woods to learn about practical techniques which you can adapt for your client groups.
• Education for Sustainable Development and Global Citizenship ~ what is it and how can we deliver it at Forest School? Including a guided tour of CAT to get ideas
• Other drop in or led activities with sustainable theme eg ~ matchless firelighting, solar ovens, rain water collection systems, tin can charcoal-making, string making, Make your own abacus, Make your own felt
• Funding Forest School ~ a facilitated discussion on funding streams, drawing on useful practice from other areas, to generate ideas for the future
• Engaging with GP referrals ~ a facilitated discussion of the healthy opportunities which woodlands offer and barriers to getting people out into the woods.

About the VenueGo to top

Coed Gwern comprises of 15 acres of mixed regeneration which are home to several rare birds and mammals including dormice.

The woodland was recently purchased by the Centre for Alternative Technology to showcase sustainable woodland management techniques and includes a large green-woodworking shed with pole lathes, and a fire circle which is used by local Forest School groups.

There is a compost toilet on site.

Car parking space nearby is limited but there are regular buses from Machynlleth. Please let us know if you can offer or need lifts.

Accommodation ~ there is a lovely campsite five minutes walk away by the river, and bunkhouse accommodation nearby.

The sessions will all be outside or under tarpaulin cover, so you’ll need to dress appropriately.

Other informationGo to top

Decrease your Forest School Carbon Footprint ~ displays linking daily Forest School activities to Climate Change & sustainability

Forest School Swap Shop ~ Bring along your unwanted kit, reports, books, etc. Swap them for something you need in return for donations towards the running of the event. Buy your Woodcookies here!

Trainee trouble shooting ~ a chance for trainees to discuss their portfolios with other trainees and qualified practitioners

UK FS NGB ~ find out how local practitioners will be affected by the planned National Governing Body for Forest School, suggest ways it could support you.

FSW Inclusion project ~ following on the success of the Woodcraft Skills training project, FSW is starting to develop a special needs inclusion project, including training for practitioners working with Special Needs. Come along and find out how you can get involved.

Food ~ we will provide a simple Forest School lunch on both days, an evening meal on Saturday, and lots of opportunities to network over tea and snacks.

Social ~ bring your songs, instruments and night games for a social gathering round the campfire on Saturday evening.

Families welcome ~ we will provide drop-in children’s activities subject to demand ~ please book early to help us plan!

Booking details & reservationsGo to top

All members of Forest School Wales are welcome to participate in this event.

If you have not already joined FSW, learn more about Membership benefits and join now

Costs ~ £20 / adult plus donations for children.

Concessions ~ We need to make this small charge this year to cover expenses like food and volunteer travel as there is no grant funding for this event. FSW does not wish for any member to be excluded because of cost. We are happy to discuss concessions if you contact us.

If you would like to help with this event, find out more, or reserve your place please contact Sarah or Babs or email info@forestschoolwales.org.uk

“Branching Out in Shropshire: Developing, disseminating and celebrating Forest School”

The conference is suitable for those new to Forest School and those that are experienced practitioners.
Workshops (Titles To Be Confirmed) include: Nature Kindergarten, Inclusion in the Forest, An Introduction to the Forest School Quality Improvement Framework (QuIF), Digital kids, Nature’s Store Cupboard”

Contact sian.wilmot@shropshire.gov.uk for more information

Four members of the FSW management board were delighted to meet with the new FS NGB Development Officer, Erica Wellings recently, to consult with her on the business plan she will be writing for the formation of a FS NGB.  The meeting, hosted by Swansea Neath Port Talbot FS, allowed Erica to meet with some of the most experienced FS practitioners in Wales to discuss a range of issues including  training, priorities for development, the importance of Play, and the role of FSW within the future body.

Awi Frances highlighted the urgent need for funding for Forest School delivery, and everyone emphasised the importance of opportunities for skillshare and continuous professional development training in maintaining high standards of Forest School delivery.  Forest School Wales has invited Erica to attend some of our skillshare events this year in order to meet more FS practitioners.  Details to be posted shortly.

More Details ...

Erica was also able to visit a Forest School session in North Wales with pupils from Ysgol Tir Morfa, where six years of tapering delivery from independent practitioner Sarah Wilson coupled with increasing capacity within the school have created high quality cohesive Forest School provision.  Erica was interested in this model as an alternative to that where schools establish their own Forest Schools programmes with little contact with other FS Leaders.

Originally from Cardiff, Erica has a good understanding of the relationship between Welsh and English governments, and FSW board members felt she is ideally placed to ensure that the experiences and needs of welsh FS practitioners are clearly represented within the NGB business plan.

Erica’s appointment as FS NGB Development Officer is the result of last Autumn’s survey which, according to the NGB Steering Group, established a clear mandate to set up a UK-wide governing body for Forest School.

Over the coming months Erica will be consulting widely with interested parties throughout the UK.

One main focus of Erica’s work will be to establish clearly defined national occupational standards for the FSL training and qualification.  She will also be considering what structure will best suit the NGB, and how it can support high standards of FS delivery.

Forest School Wales is being copied into the minutes of the NGB Steering Group meetings, the main role of which from now on will be to support Erica.