The conversation around teaching assistant pay is gaining momentum once again, with reports suggesting that a new pay offer is expected next month. For thousands of support staff across the UK, this update could signal an important step in ongoing efforts to address...

Teaching Assistants Ask to End Pro-Rata Pay The issue of teaching assistants’ pay has come into sharper focus in recent years, with growing calls to end pro-rata pay arrangements. Across the UK, many teaching assistants (TAs) are raising concerns about fairness,...

Teacher pay has become one of the most pressing issues in education today. Across the UK, schools are facing growing challenges with recruitment, retention and workload—and at the centre of it all is a key question: 👉 Does current teacher pay reflect the value of the...

Teaching assistants are one of the most important members of any school community. They support children academically, emotionally and socially, often forming strong relationships with pupils who need additional guidance or reassurance throughout the school day....

Science is at its most powerful when children can see it happening in the real world. The outdoor environment provides endless opportunities for observation, questioning and investigation, turning everyday experiences into meaningful learning. These simple outdoor...

One of the biggest myths about outdoor learning is that you need a woodland area, a dedicated forest school site or acres of green space before you can begin. While those environments are wonderful, they are not essential. Meaningful, high-quality learning outside the...

Planning outdoor learning can feel overwhelming at first, but it doesn’t need to be complicated. Here’s a simple step-by-step approach. Step 1: Start with the Learning Objective Choose a curriculum goal — the learning stays the same, only the environment changes. Step...

Maths doesn’t have to stay inside. In fact, some of the best early maths learning happens when children are moving, exploring and using real objects. These outdoor maths games for KS1 make learning active, memorable and fun — with little or no preparation needed. 🟡...

Rain doesn’t have to stop learning. In fact, wet weather creates some of the richest opportunities for outdoor learning. Puddles, mud, wind and rain all provide real-life contexts that spark curiosity and engagement. If you’ve ever cancelled an outdoor session because...

Not everyone wants or needs the full Forest School qualification—especially if your primary goal is to run safe, enjoyable fire sessions outdoors. Many settings only want to introduce fire as an occasional activity, rather than run a full Forest School...

Outdoor learning is an incredibly powerful approach for helping children understand mathematical concepts in real, meaningful ways. When combined with the Forest School ethos—child-led exploration, hands-on discovery, and nature-based challenges—maths becomes...

Winter is a truly magical season for Forest School. Frosty mornings, shimmering ice, animal tracks in the mud, and crisp winter air offer children unique learning opportunities that can’t be recreated indoors. Contrary to the idea that winter limits outdoor learning,...

Autumn is one of the most inspiring seasons for Forest School. As the leaves change colour, the air turns crisp, and wildlife prepares for winter, children have countless opportunities to explore nature’s transformation. Autumn Forest School activities tap into the...

Summer is a magical time for Forest School. With long days, warm sunshine, and abundant natural resources, children have endless opportunities to learn through exploration and play. Forest School in summer is vibrant, sensory, and full of discovery—from buzzing...

Spring is one of the best seasons for Forest School. As the weather warms and nature reawakens, children have endless opportunities to explore changes outdoors—buds opening, insects returning, birds nesting, and plants growing. For Early Years Practitioners, spring...

Forest School continues to grow in popularity across nurseries, preschools, and reception classrooms. Rooted in exploration and child-led learning, it provides meaningful opportunities for early years children to build confidence, curiosity, independence, and a deep...

Supporting early exploration, outdoor confidence and nature-based learning Forest School is growing rapidly across the UK, but many educators and parents wonder how to adapt Forest School principles for very young children, especially toddlers. The good news? Toddlers...