The Hideaway Forest School, Bristol, UK 

Katherine

I have been passionate about nature and the outdoors from an early age exploring the rock pools in Pembrokeshire where I grew up, and going on camping trips in all weathers with my family. I’m always looking to improve my knowledge and understanding of the natural world and have undertaken monitoring surveys of butterflies and reptiles for the Wildlife Trust.

I have a background in art and design, so I love making with tools and thinking up creative ways to combine my interests through nature based crafts.        

The best parts of Forest School for me are when the children are completely engrossed in an experience, fascinated by a bug, or having a chat with each other while eating a snack cooked on the campfire!

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I am level 2 forest school trained 

Rhian

Hi my name is Rhian. I work in Henleaze and Westbury on Trym with children of all ages, from preschool to teenagers! I've worked in a forest school in North Wales with primary aged children, and more recently supporting preschools in Henleaze. 

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I've been interested in exploring and learning in the outdoors since going camping as a teenager and I now love seeing the benefits of outdoor learning with the children I work with. My favourite parts of forest school are making and cooking on fires, and using the tools to make things!

Sarah

I have always loved the great outdoors since camping at a very young age with my family. I would say the happiest moments in my life have been out in the natural elements; the ocean and the forest. 

I studied sports and recreation management and become a sports development officer and helped children who felt mainstream education wasnt for them and helped redirect their energy into sport. 

I liked my job but I love nature more and decided to pack my rucksack and travel the world which I did over 5 years and went to every continent. This best place I went to in the world? The Australian rainforest and the outer hebrodian islands off of Scotland. Travelling confirmed that my number passion is working with people in nature. 

When back in the UK I trained as a Cognitive Behavioural Therapist whereby I would meet clients and we could walk and talk in the great outdoors. What I observed was nature being the therapist as much as I was. I have watched many people improve their health and wellbeing as the result of being in nature. 

I am also an artist and I am working my way through a masters degree in art psychotherapy. A lot of my art work is based on the beauty of nature. I love working with babies, children, young adults and older people too. I find people very inspiring. The combination of working with children in nature and doing art work is my favourite thing in the world. 

Bryony

My love and interest of nature and the outdoors comes from a childhood growing up in Kenya, where I would spend hours in my garden den making, foraging and climbing trees.

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I want to use my love and passion for nature to help encourage the younger generation to reconnect with nature; through play and exploring their natural surroundings, because to me there is nothing more magical then playing under trees in dappled sunlight and exploring the undergrowth for bugs!

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I have just completed my level 3 forest school leader qualification and look forward to sharing all I have learned with the children.

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Emma

Emma is well known at Henleaze Infant school for supporting the children as a teaching assistant within the classroom. Emma also enjoys working For The Hideaway After school Club and holiday clubs. She says being outside is as good for the staffs well-being as well as the children's. 

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Emma loves to go for walks in nature with friends and loves developing her knowledge of flora and fauna alongside the children. 

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