Termtime outdoor alternative provision

An offsite alternative provision for EBSNA, EOTAS, and other needs: balancing freedom with curricular progression

 

Nestled in the seclusion of the Chiltern Hills, our location offers tranquillity and natural beauty. With the rise in Emotion-Based School Non-Attendance (EBSNA, EBSA), schools face challenges in meeting educational needs. Our offsite alternative provision combines the freedom of outdoor learning with core subject structure, offering an enriching solution for both home-educated children and those affected by EBSNA.

 

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“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 programme is not just an outdoor adventure; it’s an established, OFSTED-registered weekly session that serves as the cornerstone of our offerings. Nestled in a stunning, private glacial valley in the Chiltern Hills, with a chalk stream flowing through, our sessions take place amidst the scenic surroundings of Whipsnade Zoo, Dunstable Downs, and Ivinghoe Beacon. Equipped with facilities for warmth and comfort during colder months, children immerse themselves in a rich bushcraft experience, seamlessly integrating applied science, geography, history, geology, English, and social sciences into their explorations.

Our educational setting has been a cornerstone of the home-educating community for many years, providing children with rich, hands-on learning experiences in the great outdoors. Over time, we have expanded our offerings to include services for children in schools who benefit from a more bespoke approach to their education. By working closely with parents, schools, and local authorities, we craft flexible, individualised learning programmes that nurture both academic growth and personal development. Whether you’re a home-educating family or seeking an alternative solution for your child, our programme offers the support and enrichment that empowers children to thrive in their own unique way.

Some of the fascinating projects we’ve undertaken 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 child-led sessions encourage exploration, navigation, and abundant movement, with occasional hikes to spark adventure and discovery.

If your child has an adventurous spirit, a curiosity for learning, and a love for the great outdoors, we currently have spaces available in our OFSTED-registered Tuesday programme. Don’t hesitate to reach out; we’d love to chat with you and help design an enriching experience tailored to your child’s needs.

 

Nr Ivinghoe Beacon, Hertfordshire / Bedfordshire / Buckinghamshire Border

Take a look at our Project Gallery!

When are the sessions held?

Tuesdays (termtime) 0930h – 1430h

This is a drop-off situation for children who are confident to be away from their parents for the day.

We cater for children who are in school with EHCP funding. In addition we can support 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 with some flexibility either end depending on 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?

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.

We have a small number of subsidised bursary places available for home educating families on low incomes who personally fund their childrens’ activities. Please get in touch to discuss this.

 

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 can arrange a trial session and are happy for SENDCOs or other school staff to visit and see a session in action.

Trial days are without 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. We will complete all of the due diligence with the school including a service level agreement. If we are fully booked we can put you on the waiting list.

You can get in touch by completing OUR CONTACT FORM.

Fire @ Ice
The kids wanted to see what happened when you put ice on the fire. Turns out it looks really cool 🙂 #outdoorlearning #alternativeprovision

Fire @ Ice
The kids wanted to see what happened when you put ice on the fire. Turns out it looks really cool 🙂 #outdoorlearning #alternativeprovision
...

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Time to build a snowman!

Time to build a snowman! ...

19 2
Nature always finds a way to express itself. This week we were looking at the effect of laying cardboard over the beds in the #polytunnel and why it stops growth. This little one took advantage of a single staple hole in the cardboard offering us a valuable insight into how plants grow.... so we sang a song about it 😉 #natureeducation #outdoorlearning #powerofnature #kidsinnature

Nature always finds a way to express itself. This week we were looking at the effect of laying cardboard over the beds in the #polytunnel and why it stops growth. This little one took advantage of a single staple hole in the cardboard offering us a valuable insight into how plants grow.... so we sang a song about it 😉 #natureeducation #outdoorlearning #powerofnature #kidsinnature ...

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Simple sunny days in the hut with food cooking over the fire while we admire our beautifully crafted nature basket filled with mint from the stream. #simplicity #kidsinnature #alternativeprovision #outdooreducation #rewilding

Simple sunny days in the hut with food cooking over the fire while we admire our beautifully crafted nature basket filled with mint from the stream. #simplicity #kidsinnature #alternativeprovision #outdooreducation #rewilding ...

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The sun setting on a beautiful and busy week of outdoor goodness #outdoorlearning #schooltrips #kindsinnature #alternativeprovision

The sun setting on a beautiful and busy week of outdoor goodness #outdoorlearning #schooltrips #kindsinnature #alternativeprovision ...

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Learning about #refraction #science #appliedscience #outdoorlearning

Learning about #refraction #science #appliedscience #outdoorlearning ...

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