Termtime Sessions
Weekday outdoor sessions for home-educated children aged 7+
Nestled in the seclusion of the Chiltern Hills, our location offers tranquillity and natural beauty.
“My 11 and 8 year old daughters have attended Mikes sessions. He is kind, caring and considerate. He has helped my daughters confidence to grow and made my children feel very welcome and included.
His style of teaching is inclusive to all and he is very enthusiastic and empathic. My children have learnt a so much with his help and he is a wonderful teacher. We highly recommend!” Veronica Brodie
Embracing learning outdoors!
Our flagship program, an established weekly OFSTED registered session, serves as the foundation of our offerings. Set in the great outdoors and equipped with facilities for warmth and comfort during colder months, children immerse themselves in an engaging bushcraft experience infused with applied science, geography, history, geology, English and social sciences.
Some of the fascinating projects we’ve delved into include dissecting a badger and reconstructing its skeleton, transforming a van into a functioning loudspeaker, crafting cheese, carving spoons, and even setting up a Christmas market. These sessions are child-led, encouraging abundant movement, occasional hikes, navigation, and exploration.
If your child possesses an adventurous spirit, a curiosity for learning, and a love for the great outdoors, we currently have available spaces at our OFSTED registered Tuesday program near Whipsnade Zoo in Hertfordshire. Don’t hesitate to reach out; we’d love to chat with you!
Next Trial Date:
Tues 14th May 2024
1030h – 1330h (short trial – drop-off) £35
0930h – 1530h (full day trial – drop-off) £60
Nr Ivinghoe Beacon, Hertfordshire / Bedfordshire / Buckinghamshire Border
Book a trial
Take a look at our Project Gallery!
When are the sessions held?
Tuesdays (termtime) 0930h – 1530h
This is a drop-off situation for home educated children who are confident to be away from their parents for the day.
We also cater for children who are educated other than in school (EOTAS) and for those who require an alternative provision as well as attending school.
Where is the site?
Our beautiful secluded site nestled in the Chiltern Hills close to Ivinghoe Beacon and Nr Whipsnade Zoo on the Hertfordshire / Bedfordshire / Buckinghamshire boarder is a secret treasure bursting with geological and anthropological history.
The private site is OFSTED registered and has no public access. The site is safe yet feels free and wild.
What age children can attend?
7 – 15 (split into two groups based on age or suitability)
Who leads the sessions?
These sessions are overseen by qualified teacher, osteopath and bushcrafter Mike Williams and led by the very experienced and capable support team.
Our staff are DBS checked, level 3 safeguarding trained, first aid trained, food hygiene / safety trained (we regularly cook on the fire) and fully insured.
Do you accept childcare vouchers?
As an OFSTED registered setting we are able to accept childcare vouchers.
Alternatively you can reclaim a significant percentage of our fees through the childcare element of Tax Credits / Universal Credits.
Please ask for details.
What are the fees?
For families personally funding their home-educating activities the fees are discounted at £60 per session with a half termly (6 week) commitment, which can be paid in instalments or in full before the start of term.
We offer a 30% sibling discount to these families also.
Our corporate rates for County Council and School clients (EOTAS, EBSNA) are £120 per session and include reporting. This includes those using an EOTAS personal budget.
We operate a thorough intake process to ensure that the setting and your child are a good match. This includes a completed suitability questionnaire / registration form along with a one-off £100 registration fee payable upon accepting the place.
How physical are the sessions?
Very. While there is plenty of opportunity to sit round the fire or find a quiet spot for peaceful relaxation along with much focused project work, many of the sessions involve lots of movement including hiking. The site is large enough for a mini-hike, but we also occasionally venture out onto the Ridgeway (the ancient walkway high up above the valley) which offers a number of beautiful day-long geology hikes. We will always gauge the energy and stamina of the children in attendance when planning the more physical activities.
How do I get started?
We offer regular ‘trial sessions’ (see above for dates) where children can experience our offering for themselves.
These are shorter days with no commitment allowing prospective participants to meet new people and see if they would like to attend more regularly.
If we have spaces available and it feels like a good match from both sides you will be offered a place with a start date. If we are fully booked we can put you on the waiting list.
You can get in touch by completing OUR CONTACT FORM.
Not bad for a classroom view! I remember gazing out of the window at #school daydreaming. This is our newly built #outdoorclassroom at our #ofstedregistered site. A beautiful view all year round. Thanks to @abovebelowfestival team for your amazing hard work and support in creating this wonderful space for our young people to be inspired and to connect with #nature 🙏
#outdoorlearning #forestschool #appliedscience
Not bad for a classroom view! I remember gazing out of the window at #school daydreaming. This is our newly built #outdoorclassroom at our #ofstedregistered site. A beautiful view all year round. Thanks to @abovebelowfestival team for your amazing hard work and support in creating this wonderful space for our young people to be inspired and to connect with #nature 🙏
#outdoorlearning #forestschool #appliedscience
#runnerbeans #salad #leeks #garlic #lettuce #beetroot AND #strawberries !!! Not too bad for the first year 🙂 #outdoorlearning #onsitealternativeprovision #lovenature #outdoorschools
#runnerbeans #salad #leeks #garlic #lettuce #beetroot AND #strawberries !!! Not too bad for the first year 🙂 #outdoorlearning #onsitealternativeprovision #lovenature #outdoorschools
A few memories from my #tring #Wendover #princesrisborough #bledlow #chinnor hike. What a beautiful part of the world we live in - these views have changed but have been enjoyed by our ancestors for many generations. It was a good road test for my new #cribgogch #constrictorjump - fully loaded and my back feels great this morning! Review coming soon 🙏
A few memories from my #tring #Wendover #princesrisborough #bledlow #chinnor hike. What a beautiful part of the world we live in - these views have changed but have been enjoyed by our ancestors for many generations. It was a good road test for my new #cribgogch #constrictorjump - fully loaded and my back feels great this morning! Review coming soon 🙏
The cress grew wild over Easter so the children cut it, bagged it and sold it after school. £9 raised for the pond fund! #growingfood #childreninnature #natureinschools
The cress grew wild over Easter so the children cut it, bagged it and sold it after school. £9 raised for the pond fund! #growingfood #childreninnature #natureinschools
@lifebeautiful.joys spotted some #seabeet among the slate in an estuary in Wales, so we had it with our dinner. Blanched they tasted amazing... similar to the chard she grows at home. #foraging #forage #foodforfree
@lifebeautiful.joys spotted some #seabeet among the slate in an estuary in Wales, so we had it with our dinner. Blanched they tasted amazing... similar to the chard she grows at home. #foraging #forage #foodforfree
Simplicity #Wales #nature #natureconnection
Even working outside throughout the year I can sometimes forget the deep connection we have with nature. Settling deep into cold water brings clarity to the mind and body. What a beautiful day! #simplicity #geothe #wildswim #nature
Even working outside throughout the year I can sometimes forget the deep connection we have with nature. Settling deep into cold water brings clarity to the mind and body. What a beautiful day! #simplicity #geothe #wildswim #nature
There is so much new life emerging in the polytunnel, which was bare a month ago. All planted and nurtured by the children. #gardeninginschool #polytunnel #send #autismawareness #adhdawareness #intervention #outdoorlearning #forestschool #bushcraft
There is so much new life emerging in the polytunnel, which was bare a month ago. All planted and nurtured by the children. #gardeninginschool #polytunnel #send #autismawareness #adhdawareness #intervention #outdoorlearning #forestschool #bushcraft
