Alternative Provision at Forest and Beach
Who are we?
We are Pete and Andrea Moore, qualified teachers. We created Forest and Beach in 2013. We have over 20 years experience of delivering Forest and Beach School and over 50 years teaching experience between us, working with children in both primary and secondary settings. The settings have been in Bristol, Singapore and for the last 19 years in Devon where we grew up. In 2018 we were delighted to become Regional and then National Winner of the Best Outdoor Recreation and Outdoor Pursuits Business UK at the Rural Business Awards.
Our site and Alternative Provision we can offer.
Our site consists of a new education centre complete with event/learning space, projector and screen, and commercial prep kitchen. Outside we have an ancient woodland, young woodland, event field along with our animals, Holly and Ivy our goats, chickens, Kitty cat and Olive our Forest and Beach School dog. We have 5 compost toilets onsite and disabled toilets as well as showers.
We pride ourselves in offering children a safe and secure natural learning environment within our surroundings whilst allowing them to have a feeling of ownership and place of being on our site. There are always trees to plant, animals to care for and bio-diversity to be enhanced at FaB no matter what time of year.
We can offer 6 to 12 week programmes (1 or 2 days per week) of Forest School and Beach School for children aged 5-14 with personalised learning for each child/student to be arranged with primary setting. We are Ofsted registered for childcare 5 yrs upwards.
Forest School Provision
As experienced Forest School Leaders we are passionate about how Forest School can help heal and develop young minds. Forest School sessions can support the development of:
• Resilience and perseverance
• Self esteem
• Social interaction and communication skills
• Knowledge of the environment and bio-diversity • Physical skills
We have been delivering Forest School to local children both on our site and within local schools for the past 11 years and understand the importance of building trusting and caring relationships with the children in our care. There are many opportunities to provide bespoke learning opportunities for children and students which can include:
• Fire- acquiring the skills to light and maintain a fire safely. Learning about fire safety, the benefits and history of fire.
• Shelters- learning about the different types of shelters and acquire skills to build.
• Using tools- green woodworking projects incorporating the safe use of tools, bowsaws,
whittling knives and axes.
• Nature study/exploration, learning about the flora and fauna within the woodland.
• Tree planting and woodland management, making habitat piles, clearing encroaching brambles,
staking and mulching trees in our little woodland Orchard.
Beach School
As part of our provision we can incorporate beach sessions:
• Beach exploration, understanding the strand line, sea conditions, tides, wind direction • Skimming stones
• Building slate towers
• Fishing- learning to cast out from the beach
• Beach clean, learning about marine pollution and ways we can all help solve
• Beach Art, driftwood sculptures, pebble art
• Flotsam and jetsam ID – learning about the biodiversity of our local coastal environment • Seaweed foraging, identifying seaweed and those good to eat
Outdoor Cooking
Learning to cook is an essential lifeskill. We are able to offer food preparation skills and cooking on open fire. Children/students will be able to prepare and cook their own lunch on the fire using cast iron cookware. Instruction on using Kelly kettles with natural fuel can also be built into a programme. We have our Fire Cage used for events which can also be utilised for more in depth cooking with our Chef and Forest School Leader.
Archery
There are many health benefits both physical and mental to taking part in Archery. Archery can be considered a form of active meditation, providing a positive impact on a person’s mood and helping to ease anxiety and depression. It can be just as calming as yoga as it balances the body and mind. Our Archery sessions are delivered by qualified Archery GB instructors and take place in our unique old quarry setting surrounded by mature Oak and Chestnut trees sheltered from inclement weather.
Coastal Walks
We are a 15 minute countryside walk to the stunning South West Coast Path on one of its most beautiful sections steeped in both human and natural history. The historic wrecked village of Hallsands is close by as well as the old fishing villages of Torcross and Beesands. There are opportunities for students/children to plan a route using maps and record distance travelled as well as stopping on routes to learn about the different flora and fauna on our coastline.
Counselling
We are able to offer counselling sessions with Laura Darvell ‘The Ecotherapist’ on our FaB site. Laura has over 10 years experience of working with children and is a registered member of British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy, adhering to the Ethical Framework.
Till the Coast is Clear
Collaboration with other organisations over the years has proved very rewarding. We have worked alongside our good friend Gary at Till the Coast is Clear helping clear the coastline of the plastic pollution that gathers on beaches and coastline. There are opportunities for children and young people to help with beach and coastal cleans.
Location and Transport Links
Forest and Beach is located in Beeson near Beesands in-between the towns of Kingsbridge and Dartmouth. We are located 1 mile from Stokenham A379 Carehouse Cross and can provide transport to and from the bus stop.
Timings
Days can be flexible depending on needs but as an example would run from 0930hrs-1430hrs or 1000hrs-1500hrs fitting with transport links.
Prices
Please enquire at pete@forestandbeach.co.uk for our pricing structure per pupil per day.