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About The Wilderness Grove

We are a Family Run Forest School in Cringleford Norfolk

With our wonderful team of Forest School Facilitators and Supporting Adults we have created a supportive community providing children and young people with an environment where they can thrive. Our wet woodland provides numerous opportunities to discover the natural world.

Our wonderful waterways including, stream, drainage ditches, ponds and puddles are full of life and learning opportunities.

What We Do

We believe in the power of play!

We believe in the power of play!

We believe in the power of play!

  

Our approach is formed by the principles of Forest School and the philosophy of self-directed play. We understand that every child is an individual, and through the art of playwork, our team develop a child's cognitive abilities, problem-solving skills, and a lifelong love for learning. 

We work to the core principles of playwork, recognising play as a valuable and essential aspect of a child's development. 

Our facilitators observe, facilitate and enhance the play environment without interfering with the children's natural exploration. Each child dictates the pace and direction of their play. This approach respects their autonomy and encourages a sense of ownership over their learning experiences and environment.


  • Self-directed learning and Play forms a large part of our provision 
  • Symbolic play through woodland characters
  • Active play - chasing and capturing games
  • Socio-dramatic play in the mud kitchen
  • Social play - den building, wild camping
  • Creative play - mud faces and leaf art
  • Communication play - story telling
  • Dramatic play - in our woodland theatre
  • Locomotor play - swing and climbing trees
  • Deep play - fire lighting, tree identification
  • Explorative play - mud kitchen and bug hunting
  • Fantasy play - rowing boat and raft
  • Imaginative play - woodland habitat
  • Mastery play- fires, knife work and knots
  • Object play - water play and tree painting
  • Role play - stick play

Supporting Mental Health

We believe in the power of play!

We believe in the power of play!

 

  Research now backs up what forest school practitioners have known all along – that children and young people are stimulated by the outdoors and typically experience, over time, an increase in their self belief, confidence, learning capacity, enthusiasm, communication and problem-solving skills and emotional well-being. 

 The physical and mental health benefits from exposure to woodlands and other natural environments include positive effects on cardiovascular and immune systems and reduced stress levels. 

In order to allow learners to feel ready and able to engage in learning, we build appropriate and trusting relationships with the families and children we support.​

Fostering an atmosphere of trust and acceptance, we create a safe space for children to express themselves authentically. This environment encourages open communication and the exploration of emotions without judgment.

  Working with nature helps develop empathy, creativity, imagination and self awareness. All these skills will work towards developing increased self esteem and emotional intelligence. 

​ In our experience nearly all children and young people love Forest School, this is particularly significant when working with young people who express negative emotions in relation to  school. Children who struggle with the classroom environment tend to find Forest School an easier  place to excel, as it provides more of what they require, for example plenty of space, opportunity for lots of movement, low demand, and opportunity lead their own learning. 

 

Celebrating Neurodiversity

Celebrating Neurodiversity

Celebrating Neurodiversity

  

Depending on how our brains are wired we think, move, process information and communicate in different ways. Many people in our community use neurodiversity as an umbrella term used to describe alternative thinking styles such as Dyslexia, DCD (Dyspraxia), Dyscalculia, Autism and ADHD. But regardless of labels, neurodiversity is about recognising those who think differently. Our society can benefit from different thinkers!

How do you bring awareness to neurodiversity?

Break the stigma. When it comes to neurodiversity, it isn't what we can't do that matters but what we can do that should take precedence. You can help to break down the barriers by talking about neurodiversity to help it become part of everyday conversations.

Why is it important to celebrate Neurodiversity?

To celebrate neurodiversity, we also want to highlight what's positive about it! It is about thinking about things in a different way than the majority, than the cultural norm. It is about having unique strengths, talents and perspectives that come from thinking differently.

It aims to change how neurodivergent people are perceived and supported by giving organisations the opportunity to recognise the many talents and benefits of being neurodivergent, while also creating more inclusive and equitable cultures that celebrate differences and empower all individuals.

Indivdualising Provision

Celebrating Neurodiversity

Celebrating Neurodiversity

  

At TWiG we offer a bespoke educational experience based upon an individual young person’s needs and wishes. 

Our intent is ultimately to support engagement in learning, with a further commitment to address negative experiences that have impacted learner’s abilities to engage in their education. Specific desired outcomes are identified by commissioning parties during referral; these ‘desired outcomes’ form the basis of the provision planning to then offer provision.

Learners are able to access personal, social and emotional development opportunities whilst in a low demand and nurturing environment. Children can internalise the experience of positive relationships, affirming their sense of self, worth and belonging and can begin to believe they can achieve.


Forest Schoolers begin to develop the necessary skills to independently support their sense of self, worth and belonging. These skills become lifelong learning skills and contribute to developing the necessary skills to support academic learning.


Engagement in learning and increased independence allows Forest Schoolers to invest in their learning direction for the future.

Conservation

As part of our commitment to conserve our own woodland and the wider natural environment we are delivering the John Muir Awards.


 In the last 50 years, two thirds of all animal populations have been lost to habitat destruction, and climate change and biodiversity collapse now threaten to transform life on earth. 


 The Trust's John Muir Award is an environmental award scheme focused on wild places. It is inclusive, accessible and non-competitive, though should challenge each participant.  The Award encourages awareness and responsibility for the natural environment through a structured yet adaptable scheme, in a spirit of fun, adventure and exploration. 

Healthy Eating

We are so happy to be working with the charity RE:Think.


Re-Think is a charitable non-profit organisation who supports struggling families, schools and community groups with food parcels and fruit and veg donations. They educate on food waste and enable healthy eating and wiser choices.

The fresh fruit and vegetables RE-Think provides allows the children at TWiG to play, experiment and develop skills in food preparation. 


There will be a Community Food Box at The Wilderness Grove Forest School.

Please help us re-purpose end of day food surplus and cut down food waste.

Promoting Learning

At TWiG our highly qualified and experienced facilitators promote learning and development.

  • Communication and Language
  • Physical Development
  • Personal, Social and Emotional Development
  • Literacy
  • Mathematics
  • Understanding the world
  • Expressive Arts and Design


Along with the key skills based areas of Forest School practice

  • Tool use
  • Fires
  • Knots
  • Nature Identification



Learning through Close Observations

Reviews

Testimonials

Wildlife Warriors Home Education Review

“Our children have greatly benefited from their time at the Wilderness Grove. It has been especially life changing for one of our sons as he’s developed socially, learned how to cope with mud and picked up skills that he now loves. Thank you so much for all the time and patience that you’ve given in helping our children to blossom in various ways. I’ve been so impressed with you both, Cate and Tom, in how you relate with the children at forest school and in how well you’ve balanced continuing running the Wilderness Grove over the past year of pregnancy and welcoming a new member to your family.” Elissa

Forest School Ethos

Forest School Leaflet

Information for participants about our guiding principles and ethos

What is Forest School

The importance of learner led activities

Supporting the #Antiperfection Campaign

#Antiperfection by Badibidu

5 ways Antiperfection will improve your life


So many of us are slowed down, are held back and put ourselves down seeking a standard of perfection that doesn’t have rules or a clearly-defined end point. We feel like we’ll recognise it when we get there but… honestly.. will we?? 


It holds a lot of people back from enjoying creating or sometimes from creating anything, and I’d love to be part of breaking down that barrier so kids and adults can enjoy art but these points apply to all parts of anyone’s life. 

Here are five ways your life will be improved by being slightly easier on yourself, not having no standards at all just not seeking totally unobtainable ones. 


Please Note: if you love your perfectionist streak, if it holds you to standards which make you happier, if it makes you a more productive person, gets your work done faster and makes you feel good about yourself then this isn’t for you! 


To read the full content click the find out more button and visit https://www.badibidu.com/antiperfection

Learn More and Join the Revolution

The wonderful Artist and Blogger, Cat at Badibidu is promoting creativity and mental health awareness with the #Antiperfection campaign.

At The Wilderness Grove Forest School, we are supporting her and passing on the important message.


If you would like a campaign card, please grab one when you visit the woods.

Find out more

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