Woodland Learning

About Woodland Learning

Woodland Learning is a small local business specialising in fun, hands-on woodland learning experiences. It began in April 2006. It is run by me, Ruth Parsons.

Woodland Learning aims to help children of all ages, families, teachers and other educators, adult learning and volunteer groups to develop, care for and use trees and woodlands safely for enjoyable learning to develop new skills, develop personally and to understand and appreciate the woodland environment through making connections with the natural environment.

The main areas of work are running Forest School sessions for children; delivering woodland and Forest School courses for adults; making willow sculptures and running school and community willow courses and projects; working in school grounds on woodland and vegetable growing projects.

Most projects take place in and around Swindon, Wiltshire and Cirencester. Woodland Learning has permission to work in the National Trust wood, Cuckoo Pen Plantation at Coleshill and the Swindon Borough Council wood at Stanton Park. Woodland Learning works in partnership with the Noah’s Ark Children’s Project at Macaroni Wood in the Cotswolds. The business also works in woods in school grounds and other woods by invitation. Woodland Learning works in partnership with Wiltshire County Council and Bright Horizons to run courses across the county. Open College Network Forest School qualification courses are delivered in partnership with Archimedes Training.

The business has a van and many tools as well as most other equipment that may be needed. These are all maintained to the highest standards. There is always a first aid kit on site and a full risk assessment is carried out for every project. Full and clear instructions are always given. Boundaries are set as appropriate.

Willow Structures Risk assessment form

About Ruth Parsons

Woodland Learning Ruth Parsons Ruth Parsons (me) who runs Woodland Learning lives in the Cotswolds with her husband and two teenage sons. I really enjoy bike rides, our allotment, crafts and Gavin and Stacey on TV! I have been a Countryside Education Officer and Trainer for over 25 years. I have worked for BTCV, Great Western Community Forest, the Northmoor Trust, National Trails, Swindon College and Roves Farm. I have a BTEC HND Conservation Management, BSc Hons. Ecology, C&G 7302 Certificate in Delivering Learning, Outdoor Paediatric First Aid certificate, Surveying Dangerous Trees certificate, Basic Food Hygiene, a Swindon Borough Council Enhanced CRB check and have attended a Child Protection training course . I completed my Advanced Award in Forest School Leadership Level 3 qualification in 2004 and my level 4 Forest School Trainer qualification in 2010. I have £5 million public liability insurance. I have learned most of what I know from practice and all the wonderful people I have worked with in the woods. I have always loved woodlands and sharing my joy and fascination of them with others. I have never lost my enthusiasm! I want to continue to help as many people as I can to enjoy making the same rewarding connection with nature that I have.

Contact Details

Address:

4 Painters Field, Quenington, Gloucestershire GL7 5DL

Telephone - 01285 750670

Mobile - 07999 598793

E-mail info@woodland-learning.co.uk

Some Feedback received in 2011

Thank you so much for a lovely day, it was great to have you here - the children and staff all really enjoyed it. I will keep you posted with how things go!! - but I am sure you have given confidence and inspiration to those who needed it!

THANK YOU AGAIN!

I am writing on behalf of the Early Years and Childcare Senior team to thank you for the marvellous workshops you did at our early years and childcare conference on the 4th and 5th November .

The participants were really pleased with the content and enjoyed the sessions immensely. They commented that they found they had good ideas for early year’s children; they liked the simple ideas for adaption and found the content inspiring and fun.

Thank you again for making the course so enjoyable and inspiring us all.

I can honestly say in 18 years of childminding it is the most enjoyable course I have been on.

Just a quick email to say 'thanks' for being such an inspiration leader over the course of our Forest Schools training. It's been a fantastic experience and one that has shaped my future brilliantly.....

This is the best day I have ever had!