More About The Team

Little Forest School has spread its shoots since starting in 2014. Now based at the magical and inspiring Wilderness Woods the outdoor loving team are all level 3 Forest school Facilitators each bringing their own personal flair of Montessori, early years, bush craft, arts and crafts and environmental backgrounds to the mix.

Karen runs the little Forest School based in East Sussex.
I have always been in love with the outdoors and my Forest School adventure began over three years ago attending the wonderful weekly Fawns Forest School sessions lead by Julie, with my daughter Freya and son Patrick where we made many friends and had a lot of fun. The open and free environment where children’s natural intelligence is developed, and natural curiosity encouraged, inspired me to develop my love of nature and together with my background in teaching I decided to train as a Forest School Leader. I was fortunate to lead sessions at Wilderness Wood with Julie as my mentor whilst training. I am very excited to be working with the brilliant Wilderness team and meet new Forest School families in the wood, helping children to develop, follow their instincts and naturally play independently and together with their friends.

After qualifying as an early years teacher and Biologist, my journey has taken me to Naples in USA to provide environmental education at the Conservancy of South West Florida which was great fun. Back to the UK to work with Kent Wildlife Trust, RSPCA and the Forestry Commission providing educational packages for children which I loved. I have my dormouse licence and work on research projects in Kent. I have an eight year old son and the combination of being a mother and training for Forest School has brought a new level of creative enjoyment to being in the woods which is a joy to share. I used to take my son to Little Forest School at Stanmer Park near Brighton and the rest they say is history!

After lots of fun filled forest school sessions with Lucy and my youngest child, Jeannie, I got the Forest School bug! Little Forest School gave us so much inspiration to be creative outside and enjoy our beautiful surroundings in the forest with friends. It was always something we looked forward to in the week, where the pace of parenting was slowed right down and we could actually enjoy making friends, playing, learning, watching and creating with our children, without rushing them for once. It was good for the soul and it was a time to let you catch your breath. So Jeannie started school and so did I! I used to be a primary teacher in London but now I’m currently working on my Forest School Leadership course at Plumpton College and helping at Little Forest School which I love.

Kat

For me, everything feels better outside. In my work as an Early Years teacher, I have been drawn to outdoor education; firstly, within alternative education settings abroad and now in my role as a part time Reception teacher where I lead outdoor learning and Forest School. When you see how children (and adults when given the opportunity) relax and get into the flow of free play and exploration with such natural ease in the woods, it just all makes sense. I love enabling nature connection journeys, whatever the starting point, through songs, crafts, games and play opportunities. Come play in the beautiful woods in Barcombe with me!

Heidi

Having a connection with nature has always been really important to me and  I have seen the benefits of nature in myself, my family and others and I started to want to help others access it, that’s how I discovered forest school. And alike forest school, I followed my curiosities and trained as a Forest School Leader and have loved every minute. I’ve just moved to Sussex and am enjoying holding space in the woods here!

I am Lucy and Little Forest school was once know as Lucy’s Little Forest School. I started some 13 years ago now…working at Stanmer park and Wilderness wood. my background is Montessori early years. I now spend my days in the woods with children, adults and running family workshops. I have handed over the reins to Karen and I am currently in the south west of UK with family.

I started my Forest School journey after many hours cuddled up with our young family over a winter beach fire, having spent the day foraging along the sea shore or looking for fossils in rock crevices. Everything felt better outdoors – the changes in light, the fresh mineral filled air, the taste of a snack cooked in the wild. I wanted to pass on these treasured moments and so I trained as a Forest School teacher.

“The world is very beautiful if you look at it. But most people don’t look very much.”

– David Hockney

I see my role as aiding young minds to open up to really see and understand the natural world all around us. My aim is to provide a nurturing environment, where freedom to play and respect for the nature go hand in hand, where every experience is beautiful and memories made last forever.

A love of exploring, trail walking, rural crafts, conservation, local history and landscape management back up my Forest School practice and as a trained creative, I’m never happier than when I’m making something outdoors!