Education & Learning Award 2024
Congratulations to Gold winners Great Wood Farm Early Years Centre, and to Silver winners Branching Out Forest School & Social Forestry.
This award recognises those who increase awareness, understanding and skills related to the environment, particularly forestry.
Gold winners: Great Wood Farm Early Years Centre
"The dedication and passion that came across from Kate and her team was infectious. It was obvious from walking around the site and chatting to the children that they felt at ease, safe and secure in their woodland environment."
Great Wood Farm Early Years Centre is a nursery based on a farm in Lincolnshire, surrounded by woodland and including a newly planted area. The forest school journey is a key part of the teaching curriculum and external structures (made from locally sourced wood and recycled materials) showcase timber as a natural resource as well as providing play equipment and environmentally-friendly facilities.
The judges commended Kate and her team for their ability to evolve, plan for the future, and build a connection with the local community boosting inspiration and education to more children and families. The site also includes donation and swap points for wellies and outdoor clothing. They were also particularly impressed with the curriculum progression framework, which allows for consistency across the team, and includes babies and toddlers being inspired by their surroundings: “It was evident that despite children appearing to be ‘everywhere’, the cleverly organised activities gave children a real sense of freedom and responsibility.”
“We are so incredibly proud to have won this award and have our work recognised in such a way… Forest School and being out in nature really is the best classroom, it brings out the best of every child and is so important in developing the whole child, their well-being and teaching the next generation about our natural world.’ – Kate Robinson
Silver winners: Branching Out Forest School & Social Forestry
"It is evident that Branching Out stands apart from other ‘Forest Schools’ in its creativity and innovation, with a clear focus on helping to raise awareness of different habitats within woodlands, alongside global environmental concerns, whilst supporting children and their families to build a strong connection with their local wildlife/natural environment based on heritage and the passing seasons."
Branching Out is based in a privately owned woodland bordering the Shropshire Hills National Landscape, with a woodland consisting of carefully managed deciduous and evergreen tree species. From being set up seven years ago by Toni Pettitt and her partner, it has grown to include a range of activities and outreach projects with local schools and surrounding community. The company has forged lasting relationships, specifically focusing on heritage and woodland habitats, and prioritising environmental issues.
Judges were impressed by the inclusion of a range of local people in their educational aims. Toni added: “Our approach to learning in the forestry environment is to spark curiosity and awe in our younger generations. We embrace an individualistic child-led approach to do this, combining natural crafts, practical skills and tool use”. By inviting local artists, wildlife rangers, foragers, and chefs, who lead sessions based on their expertise, children are introduced to a wide range of activities, as well as woodland-based occupations. “[We] have no doubt that with Toni’s enthusiasm and knowledge, Branching Out will continue to go from strength to strength and play an important part in the local community as more children are engaged in their sessions and build a stronger connection with nature, the Shropshire Hills National Landscape and their ancient woodlands.”
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