Embers Outdoor Learning

30/09/2026

Outdoor education doesn’t always mean a residential trip, a minibus, specialist kit or a huge adventure. 🌿
Sometimes it simply means opening the classroom door and taking learning outside.
At the very minimum, asking for one lesson a week to be taught outdoors surely isn’t too much to ask… or is it? 🤔
Maths, literacy, science, art, geography, wellbeing — so much of the curriculum can be brought to life beyond four walls.
It doesn’t have to be complicated. It doesn’t have to cost anything. And it doesn’t have to be a “special occasion”.
What if learning outdoors was just a normal part of the school week?
Could your class manage one lesson outside every week? 🌳

We also need to protect those centres who do this well! Use them or lose them Low Gillerthwaite Field Centre

Should every child get the chance to experience outdoor education?

28/09/2026

🍂🌳 POP-UP FOREST SCHOOL! 🌳🍂

We’re bringing Embers Outdoor Learning to The TCR Hub, Barnard Castle for a special autumn Forest School session!

📅 Wednesday 14th October
⏰ 1:00–2:15pm
📍 The TCR Hub, Barnard Castle
💰 £7.50 per child
🍎 Snack & drink included

Come and spend the afternoon outdoors with us for Forest School fun – exploring, creating, playing and enjoying everything autumn has to offer. 🍁🪵🔥

Expect muddy hands, seasonal activities, plenty of fresh air and lots of opportunities for children to explore and play at their own pace.
Perfect for little adventurers who love being outdoors! 🌿

Spaces are limited, so booking is essential.
https://embersoutdoorlearning.co.uk/product/preschool-pop-up-forest-school-at-the-tcr-hub/

🍂 Come along, get outdoors and join us for some autumn Forest School fun!

AutumnAdventures KidsActivities CountyDurham

22/09/2026

🌿 Come with me for a peaceful little walk through the woodland, all set up and ready for our Toddler Stay & Play…

Peaceful, that is, until we survey the crime scene. 🕵️‍♀️🌰

The squirrels have been at it AGAIN. 🐿️

Conkers raided.
Shells destroyed.
Resources scattered.
Absolutely zero remorse.
At this point, it’s personal.

I spend my time lovingly setting up woodland activities for small children, only for a gang of furry little vandals to conduct an overnight smash-and-grab. 😂

The Embers vs Squirrels feud continues…
And I WILL be holding a grudge. 🐿️👀

ConkerWars WoodlandDrama FurryLittleFiends

21/09/2026

Went on a conker hunt today. 🌰🍂

Found approximately…

ZERO CONKERS.

Plenty of empty shells though. 👀

So apparently the squirrels got there first and have been running some sort of highly organised conker-removal operation. 🐿️

Months of planning Forest School activities, only to be outsmarted by a rodent with a fluffy tail and no lesson plan. 🙄😂

I will not be taking questions at this difficult time.

OutdoorLearning EmbersOutdoorLearning

10/09/2026

🌿 Still spaces this Saturday! 🌿

Come and join us for our Family Stay & Play session at Embers Outdoor Learning. 🔥🌳

📅 Saturday 12th September
⏰ 9:30–10:45am
Expect plenty of outdoor play, exploring, getting muddy and having fun together in the woods. 🍂🪵
👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Sibling discounts available.
Drop me a message to book your space! 💚
NorthYorkshireFamilies ThingsToDoWithKids

07/09/2026

🌿 WHAT’S ON AT EMBERS THIS SEPTEMBER? 🌿

🍂September means we’re back to our regular sessions, and we can’t wait to welcome everyone back to the woods! 🔥🌳

🌿 HOME EDUCATION FOREST SCHOOL
📅 Wednesday 9th & 23rd September
⏰ 10:00–11:30am
This term we’ll be working towards the Junior Forester Award, alongside plenty of our usual child-led play, exploring and Forest School fun.

🍁 PRESCHOOL STAY & PLAY
📅 Every Tuesday during term time, starting 15th September
⏰ 9:30–10:45am
Relaxed outdoor play, exploring, creating, getting muddy and enjoying time together in the woods.

🔥 FAMILY STAY & PLAY
📅 Saturday 12th September
⏰ 9:30–10:45am
A weekend dose of Forest School fun for the whole family!

💚 Sibling and childminder discounts available.
Come and play, explore, create and enjoy the changing season with us. 🍄🍂

📩 Message us for more information or to book your place.

PreschoolActivities StayAndPlay RichmondYorkshire NorthYorkshire OutdoorKids ForestSchoolUK

01/09/2026

🌿 HOME ED FOREST SCHOOL IS BACK! 🌿

We’re excited to be restarting our Home Education sessions on Wednesday 9th September, and then every other Wednesday throughout the term. 🍂🔥🌳

This term we’ll be working towards the Junior Forester Award – learning practical woodland skills, exploring and caring for our natural environment, and building confidence and knowledge along the way. 🌲🪵

And, of course, there’ll still be plenty of what makes our Home Ed sessions Embers – free play, creativity, exploration, friendships, mud, fires and time to simply enjoy being outdoors. 💚

📅 Starting Wednesday 9th September
⏰ 10:00–11:30am
📍 Embers Outdoor Learning, Richmond
🌿 Every other Wednesday

Our sessions are relaxed, child-led and run by an experienced, qualified teacher and Forest School practitioner.
New families are very welcome! 🌱
Drop us a message to find out more or book your place.
OutdoorLearning RichmondYorkshire HomeEdYorkshire LearningOutdoors ForestSchoolUK

30/08/2026

🌿 As we start a new year, I thought I’d take the opportunity to introduce myself and Embers Outdoor Learning to our new followers. 🌿

I’m Rachael, a qualified and experienced primary school teacher with over 15 years of classroom experience and a Master’s degree in Education.
I have always loved teaching outdoors and, after training as a Forest School Leader, I decided to combine my passion for learning, nature and supporting children’s wellbeing. In 2021, I left the classroom to set up Embers Outdoor Learning — creating spaces where children can explore, take risks, build confidence and develop a lifelong connection with the outdoors.

At Embers we offer:
🌱Preschool and family Stay & Play sessions
🌱 Home Education sessions
🌱 Therapeutic Forest School sessions (as an approved Therapeutic Forest practitioner)
🌱 Holiday clubs
🌱 Outdoor parties
🌱 Adult craft and wellbeing sessions

So why choose Embers?
✨ Teacher-led outdoor learning with a strong understanding of child development
✨ Over 20 years’ experience supporting children to learn, grow and thrive
✨ Extensive outdoor experience and a passion for nature-based learning
✨ Therapeutic Forest School expertise, supporting children’s confidence, resilience and wellbeing
✨ A welcoming, child-centred approach where everyone is encouraged to be themselves
Whether your child is climbing, creating, investigating, playing, problem-solving or simply enjoying being outdoors, Embers is a place where curiosity is celebrated. 🔥🌲

Thank you for joining us — I can’t wait to see what adventures this year brings!

25/08/2026

We’re increasingly frustrated by what feels like a bullying and heavy-handed approach from Forestry England. Partnership should be built on respect, communication and working together — something we feel is sadly lacking.
This latest article feels all too familiar 👇

Danny Hart's Descend Bike Park in Hamsterley Forest is to shut when mass tree felling begins in 2028

22/08/2026

🌿 Are we giving children enough freedom to play outside?
New research from the University of Exeter has highlighted a growing “generational play gap.”
Nearly 2,000 parents and carers of children aged 5–11 were surveyed, and the findings are striking:
👉 Children are now, on average, 10.8 years old before they’re allowed to play outdoors independently.
👉 Their parents remember being given that freedom at around 9.7 years old.
👉 56% of parents said they give their children independent freedom later than they themselves had it.
👉 Less than half of children’s play now happens outdoors.
👉 Perhaps most strikingly, children average less than 25 minutes of street play a week.

Why does this matter?
Independent and adventurous outdoor play gives children opportunities to make decisions, assess risk, solve problems, negotiate with friends, experience uncertainty and discover what they’re capable of.
And research increasingly links outdoor and adventurous play with better mental health and wellbeing, more positive emotions and greater physical activity.
Of course, simply telling parents to “give children more freedom” misses the bigger picture. Busy roads, fewer accessible play spaces, changing social expectations and increased screen time all play a part.
For those of us working with children, this feels hugely important.
Perhaps our role isn't always to organise, direct and supervise every moment of childhood.
Sometimes it's to create the conditions for play, provide appropriate boundaries… and then step back.
Children need opportunities to climb, explore, get muddy, take manageable risks, make their own decisions and experience a little freedom.

🌳 How old were you when you were first allowed to go out and play without an adult? And do you think children today are getting enough freedom to do the same?
AdventurousPlay ChildDevelopment MentalHealth Education