Our staff have completed Covid Pandemic related certificates - including courses covering the possible mental health impact of lockdown and isolation.

We have put everything in place to meet Government guidelines as well as meeting the Forest School Association Criteria. We continue to review our procedures as guidance changes.

Our risk/ benefit analysis is a working document and we have been back running groups in the woods since July 20.

Kinda Education is an organisation for intergenerational, sociocratic , nature-based education.

We are Ofsted Registered.

Kinda Forest School is part of The Kinda Education CIC who work within woodlands and wild areas to promote and deliver learning support with equality, kindness and reconnection at its core.

Community

Experienced Kinda staff gently support the child or young person (YP) to find their space in nature and community. By nurturing a sense of belonging through a culture of kindness and care, youngsters gain confidence to look beyond themselves, to the woods, for inspiration to learn. They gain momentum to self-initiate projects that interest them. Camp fire cooking, gardening, woodland conservation, woodwork, art and writing are a few examples, all of which have personal social, emotional, practical and educational benefits. ‘Elders’ -our retired skilled volunteers- help to form an important intergenerational structure. They bring with them a wisdom and calm that comes with age and are often found chatting or making around the fire circle. Adding choice and time for the children and YP to simply sit and chat or craft around the fire.

Sustainability Using permaculture principles, imitating a natural ecosystem, we work with the children and young people to build a productive and sustainable woodland inspired by the web of beneficial interactions that exist between plants and other animals. We will work with the seasons to observe and manage the woodland sustainably.

Connection Using traditional forest school child-led activities – typically building, whittling, crafting, story-telling, singing, foraging, discussing, climbing and cooking on the fire – we nurture confidence and emotional resilience. Supporting connection with nature, each other and ourselves.

This provider was Quality Assured in 2020 and is now an approved provider by Suffolk County Council's Quality Assurance and Provider Development Team - find out more here.