Wild About Our Woods CIO

04/03/2026

Forest School Lou explains so well how outdoor play builds the foundations for learning, wellbeing and resilience...

What do you do when your child’s school is thinking about stopping its Forest School?

I’ve had some sad conversations this week with parents who are really worried that the Primary School their child attends is reducing and maybe completely cutting the Forest School programmes in the future.

The Forest School was one of the reasons they sent their child to that particular school.

It is valued by the children, the parents, the staff. But apparently not by the new headteacher.

In an education system under pressure to raise attainment, prove progress, and protect budgets, Forest School can sometimes be viewed as an “extra”.

But here’s the thing, playing in Nature is not a luxury optional extra for childhood, it is essential for healthy development.

Forest School is not a break from learning.
It is learning – the most natural kind.

It develops:
🌱The emotional regulation that underpins behaviour.
🌱The confidence that underpins participation.
🌱The curiosity that underpins academic progress.
🌱The intrinsic motivation that underpins autonomy and resilience

In a world where children are increasingly anxious, sedentary and screen-saturated, protected time in Nature is not a luxury.

It’s preventative education.
Children learn best when they are physically, emotionally and mentally regulated.

Forest School doesn’t compete with academic outcomes.
It strengthens the foundations they stand on.

If you’re a parent whose child has benefited from Forest School, your voice matters. Share the impact it has had on your child. Stories have power. 🙏💚

24/02/2026

🌿 We're excited to me offering Forest School Training in North London Woodlands, starting in April. Now in our 8th year and always getting great feedback from participants for our Level 2 Assistants and Level 3 Forest School Leader qualifications.

🌿 Payment plans, bursaries and a traineeship available too. More details can be found here: https://share.google/6m88B2HAMMSPoYtfD with drip downs to each qualification

🌿 And new for this year for those choosing level 3 - The Complete Outdoor Educator - Dual Certification in Forest School & The WILD Passport. Why choose between a philosophy and a framework? This unique training course offers you a dual-track qualification that covers both the delivery and the documentation of world-class outdoor learning. https://share.google/ImV2Y2q2tgkklcYdR

Please do get in touch with any questions.

26/01/2026

Friary Park had its first official orchard wassail! We planted the first stage of the orchard 2 years ago, had some Forest Schoolers from Northside sing to it them and wish them good health. We've had two further plantings and so yesterday 25 plus people came together to sing, drink, eat Apples based things, make noise and wish it a fruitful season. A joyful time in a damp day. Members of the local community, and a special green goddess from joined us too. And give us some useful feedback on our trees. Thanks so much Danielle

15/01/2026

What a lovely first session of our green dementia care programme. Lots of participation, chats and remembering of plants found in winter time through touch and smell. We got creative and sang the Holly and the Ivy 3 times! Looking forward to next week already. Working in collab with , funded by our charity.

19/11/2025

Come and join us for this one off fragrant and festive winter wreath making session.

This year, in our 10th year, we're indoors in the comfortable surrounding of pub. All materials supplied including willow bases you will weave yourselves, natural green materials, dried fruit and flowers, ribbons and spices.

Book via QR code or via linktree

https://bookwhen.com/wreath

01/05/2025

We'll light a fire, bathe in the May flower (Hawthorne above) and give thanks to the sun and earth. Maypole dancing tomorrow perhaps What will you do to celebrate Beltane?
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26/03/2025

We're excited to be offering Forest School Training next month in North London Woodlands. Now in our 7th year and always getting great feedback from participants for our Level 2 Assistants and Level 3 Forest School Leader qualifications. We have offered bursaries and traineeships in the past to support everyone who want to train.

More details can be found here https://www.wildaboutourwoods.com/forest-school-training and we're always happy to speak about it too if you have any questions or queries.

07/03/2025

We're tree planting again tomorrow in EN5 from 2-4pm. Come join us. Bring your family and friends. DM me for the full address.

21/12/2024

Solstice blessings to you all....
TWAS THE NIGHT BEFORE YULETIDE
Twas the night before Yuletide and all through the glen
Not a creature was stirring, not a fox, not a hen.
A mantle of snow shone brightly that night
As it lay on the ground, reflecting moonlight.
The faeries were nestled all snug in their trees,
Unmindful of flurries and a chilly north breeze.
The elves and the gnomes were down in their burrows,
Sleeping like babes in their soft earthen furrows.
When low! The earth moved with a thunderous quake,
Causing chairs to fall over and dishes to break.
The Little Folk scrambled to get on their feet
Then raced to the river where they usually meet.
“What happened?” they wondered, they questioned, they probed,
As they shivered in night clothes, some bare-armed, some robed.
“What caused the earth’s shudder? What caused her to shiver?”
They all spoke at once as they stood by the river.
Then what to their wondering eyes should appear
But a shining gold light in the shape of a sphere.
It blinked and it twinkled, it winked like an eye,
Then it flew straight up and was lost in the sky.
Before they could murmur, before they could bustle,
There emerged from the crowd, with a swish and a rustle,
A stately old crone with her hand on a cane,
Resplendent in green with a flowing white mane.
As she passed by them the old crone’s perfume,
Smelling of meadows and flowers abloom,
Made each of the fey folk think of the spring
When the earth wakes from slumber and the birds start to sing.
“My name is Gaia,” the old crone proclaimed
in a voice that at once was both wild and tamed,
“I’ve come to remind you, for you seem to forget,
that Yule is the time of re-birth, and yet…”
“I see no hearth fires, hear no music, no bells,
The air isn’t filled with rich fragrant smells
Of baking and roasting, and simmering stews,
Of cider that’s mulled or other hot brews.”
“There aren’t any children at play in the snow,
Or houses lit up by candles’ glow.
Have you forgotten, my children, the fun
Of celebrating the rebirth of the sun?”
She looked at the fey folk, her eyes going round,
As they shuffled their feet and stared at the ground.
Then she smiled the smile that brings light to the day,
“Come, my children,” she said, “Let’s play.”
They gathered the mistletoe, gathered the holly,
Threw off the drab and drew on the jolly.
They lit a big bonfire, and they danced and they sang.
They brought out the bells and clapped when they rang.
They strung lights on the trees, and bows, oh so merry,
In colors of cranberry, bayberry, cherry.
They built giant snowmen and adorned them with hats,
Then surrounded them with snow birds, and snow cats and bats.
Then just before dawn, at the end of their fest,
Before they went homeward to seek out their rest,
The fey folk they gathered ‘round their favorite oak tree
And welcomed the sun ‘neath the tree’s finery.
They were just reaching home when it suddenly came,
The gold light returned like an arrow-shot flame.
It lit on the tree top where they could see from afar
The golden-like sphere turned into a star.
The old crone just smiled at the beautiful sight,
“Happy Yuletide, my children,” she whispered. “Good night.”

Poem author C.C. Williford
Art by HolgaJen

29/11/2024

Sunny late autumn day working back with young people from chopping wood, making garlic bread from scratch. Everyone got involved and enjoyed the prep and eating the labours of their love.