Beccles Forest Schools

16/10/2026

Across our two home ed forest school sessions this week we had wind, rain and sunshine. Digging and mud pies were really popular and on the fire we made spicy vegan gluten free biscuits. Play evolved each day from rolling battles to extended drama productions. Babies were cared for and many mice spotted! The rain prompted some to begin a den, and a 'fire' was built to keep them warm. Crafting was very paint based and leaves and sheets were covered.

09/10/2026

Across our two home ed sessions this week we had some impressive den construction and mud play was very popular. Physical play was very exciting, and many yummy snacks were enjoyed over the fire. We were inventive with craft materials and clay became boats and paper became signs. Hands were painted and swings were moved like puzzle pieces until they were just right. It was quite windy at the end of the week but that didn't stop play. Autumn has arrived and we are LOVING it. 🍁🍂🍁🍂🌬💨

05/10/2026

What a glorious sunny day in Kindergarten on Friday! It reached 22 degrees celsius, which was a nice surprise for late September. Time honestly flew by without us taking many photos at all but lots of fun and exploration was had.

The children were relishing lots of word play today whilst climbing the grey willows and swinging in the hammock. The highlights were "crayon burger" and "bonk-iana" followed by "fish brains" and "flip flop frenzy head"!

The children prepared the most delicious pancake mixture which we then cooked on the fire and enjoyed as a group.

We had some messy play opportunities on offer with gloop, petals and a tea set which was very well used and then we spent the afternoon in eagle wood swinging, chasing and d**e dipping.

At the very end of our session we sang an ode to summer and waved goodbye and we also shared the story of a beautiful lady called "Autumn" who collects the seedlings and then lays on the forest floor keeping them safe until they can appear in spring.

Next week we shall do the much anticipated treasure hunt that the children have requested and many have been talking about the beach this week so we shall provide some sand and small world opportunities. See you on Friday!

02/10/2026

Our Friday home ed group flew by in the blink of an eye. Pancakes were cooked over the fire, with one of the group taking charge of mixing the batter, and everyone sorting their own plates and cutlery. Clay was provided and it was used to improve weapons, build fairies and make cars. Some people started to make autumn tipis and got the frames built. Most of the day was taken with the building of an Empire, nominating an Emperor, and various decision making processes to make the Empire work. It was fascinating to witness and needed no adult interaction at all.

30/09/2026

It was a beautiful warm day in the woods this morning for Stay and Play with lots of little ones joining us and we welcomed some new families, which was so lovely. We enjoyed some very simple flat breads cooked on the fire (SF flour and yogurt mixed together- easy as that!) and some heated cooking apples with sugar. We had a messy play opportunity of yellow petals, corn flour gloop and scoops, which was excitedly utilised! Free play was a must with children getting the cars and garage out to play with, swinging in eagle wood and throwing twigs and stones into the d**e.

We came together for our closing circle to hear about the beautiful lady called Autumn who calls the seedlings to sleep in her cloak until the spring and we said goodbye to summer and welcomed our new season.

Please come to join us with your little ones! We love a cuppa and a play, come rain or shine.

Stay and Play Booking Link: https://bookwhen.com/becclesforestschools/e/ev-saayv-20260930093000

30/09/2026

Last week in Kindergarten, the children told us they would like to spend some more time in the wider forest school area so we made this our plan for the day! Whilst we waited for everyone to arrive, we enjoyed some play opportunities in the Kindergarten area. We created some natural bird feeders with lard, seeds and string and some children chose to play with the car garage and dolls house or the big farm animals habitat created by Emma! Then we all went over to Eagle Wood in the lovely sunshine and played on the swings, visited the Wishing Tree and enjoyed some time with the Home Ed Nurture group.

We went back for a snack in the Kindergarten Area, where the children prepared their own snack and enjoyed some delicious fresh fruit. Some people talked about what they had been doing at home and others chose to listen. Once back in the wider Forest School area, some children got very muddy and wet in the d**e which was just so much fun after a few dry few months. They created a waterfall and tested the water to see how deep they could go. They collected containers and emptied and filled for over an hour. Others played chase games and enjoyed the shade at the Wishing Tree as it became warm quickly. One child took off their waterproofs and hid them in the brush to trick Tommy!

After a lovely group lunch, we prepared the children for a fire evacuation practice, something that is important for us to be familiar with. A short time later we blew the whistle, all gathered together and evacuated onto the common, which was a heat trap! Some children found this every exciting. As always, time had flown and we had to get our things to go home.

We only have a couple of spaces available in our Kindergarten group now, so please get booked in quickly if you'd like your child to come along, and, as always, please do share with other parents/carers who feel their child would benefit from fun outdoor free play with top notch practitioners- we have so much on offer at Beccles Forest Schools!

29/09/2026

Today the group were out and about for nearly the whole day, building dens, playing games and discovering treasure. Potions used dog rose petals and hips today to make a variety of colours. No one wanted to cook anything as it was so hot, so we just opened some biscuits to fuel us midmorning. Digging was very popular and some of the group also did some path shearing as the nettles are hanging over the paths now. There was a constant stream of baby care and tree climbing got VERY daring in the afternoon.

26/09/2026

Exciting news! We're looking to expand our incredible little team at Beccles Forest Schools!

- Do you enjoy getting covered in muddy handprints?
- Is your reaction to finding a mottled grasshopper a squeal of delight?
- Are you likely to fully embrace your new identity when asked to be a fire-breathing dragon hiding in a lair?
- Do you quite like your clothes smelling of woodsmoke?
- Is your reaction to seeing a child ten feet up a tree, "Wow, they're doing an incredible job at risk-assessing for themselves, and look how proud they are!" (rather than "aaaarrrrghhhh!")?

Well, we might just have the perfect opportunity for you!

We are seeking 1:1 Alternative Provision Practitioners to support a child within our Monday and/or Wednesday AP-Day session from after October Half Term for one academic year to start, with the possibility of additional hours, working on a Variable Hours Contract. (Bank staff roles are also available.)

The successful candidates will offer 1:1 therapeutic, nature-based support for the attendee, helping them to re-engage with education through:
- Nature as a Co-Regulator
- Trusting Relationships
- True Autonomy
- Play, Exploration and Meaningful Experiences
- Accessing all that the Wild Meadow has to offer.

The successful candidate MUST:
* have a passion in relation to the Forest School ethos
* have spent sustained periods of time in an outdoor environment throughout the seasons
* have experience working closely with children and young people with SEND
* have excellent writing and IT skills, with the capacity to write up observations and upload these to computer software a vital part of the role
* be able to plan "in the moment", undertake dynamic risk assessment and deal with emergency situations
* be supportive of behaviour management styles that promote learning through self-regulation
* have a DBS on the update service, or a willingness to get this prior to work
* be willing to attend mandatory training

If you tick all these boxes and would love to join our little team, please get in touch via email to find out how to apply:
[email protected]

24/09/2026

It's the moment you've all been waiting for!
October Half Term Forest Fun Camp is now open for booking!

- Tuesday 27th and Wednesday 28th October 2026
- 9:00am to 3:00pm each day
- on The Wild Meadow by Beccles Common
- drop-off session
- TWO day camp
- for children aged "year one"-12 years*
- £98 for two days
Booking link: https://bookwhen.com/becclesforestschools/e/ev-sv2ny-20261027090000

Spaces are limited so get booked on ASAP to avoid disappointment!

At Beccles Forest Schools, we fiercely protect the right to play freely. We are person-centred and wholly embedded in the natural world, which meets the learning, development and well-being needs of us all. We celebrate participants’ autonomy over the spaces they explore, and foster their innate c...

18/09/2026

Today the Home Ed Nurture group were a group of two halves. At any point there was a quiet half and a super noisy half. Lots of the group practiced making sparks, some of them for the first time, some people sat quietly colouring, others crafted with wool and sticks. A huge dead tree created a sawing challenge and swings were swung high. On the fire we made toffee apple slices and boiled the kettle for hot drinks. It was a breezy day which made listening in the circle very hard because the leaves were rustling so loud!