Woodventurers Woodland Learning is a local alternative education provider working across Cambridgeshire, Bedfordshire and in the surrounding areas. We run Woodland Learning programmes in our beautiful natural woodland spaces in Hardwick, Chatteris and Grafham (Cambridgeshire) and a site in Bromham (Bedfordshire). We are also open to working on school sites or other suitable natural spaces.
Woodventurers recognise that we can all feel more calm and focused when we are outdoors and surrounded by a natural environment. We also believe that when we are interested in something, we are intrinsically motivated to learn more about it and when we do, our interest is sparked and our world becomes larger. Therefore, much of our work is focused on building motivation and encouraging enjoyment of learning. Sessions are facilitated by our talented team of tutors using natural resources.
The Woodland Learning approach helps learners who have disengaged to fall back in love with learning and we endeavour to reinvent what education looks like for those who have had a negative experience. Through our work, we show that education can be fun filled and is something to get excited about. We have repeatedly seen our approach work successfully with many attendees successfully transitioning to new settings or becoming able to sustain their school placement. We are proud that we have helped so many flourish and re-engage with their education journey. To read more about this, visit our testimonials page.
Woodventurers was set up in 2021 by Toni Rogers and Nicki Proietti who, after years of working in education in Cambridge, combined their knowledge and experience in SEND, Forest School and Outdoor Learning with their passion for helping SEND learners who are not regularly attending school, finding the school environment a challenge, or are at risk of PEX. Woodventurers’ ethos is centred around providing a high quality alternative provision with the learners at the core, but also with thought for the families and through a professional, friendly approach when working with councils, schools and other stakeholders.
Wooodland Learning is a combination of Forest School – play based, learner led, bushcraft – and Curriculum Based Outdoor Learning – academic learning delivered in a natural environment using natural resources. Sessions are delivered in the method which best suits the young person in that phase of their education. Our programmes often start by allowing children to access learning through holistic, child-led sessions incorporating curriculum based objectives when appropriate.
Initially, a programme may be completely child led but end with sessions that require longer periods of focus on an adult led task thereby helping learners to develop the skills needed to succeed when they join a more formal education setting. The Woodland Learning approach is centred on finding the right methods at the right time for each individual, nurturing them, extending their knowledge and skills and supporting them toward appropriate ‘next steps.’
Woodventurers are committed to doing the best by the young people in our care. We see ourselves as part of a bigger journey, and if our setting proves to be the right ‘grow bag’ for a learner, we will do our best to help them succeed. We want them to re-engage with learning and flourish.
Our woodland sites provide a low demand, often stress free environment where attendees feel safe and are able to access learning in all guises. All programmes are underpinned by a focus on helping improve emotional literacy, mental health and wellbeing. We also incorporate mindfulness, support sensory integration and muscle development and teach regulation strategies to enable learners to better manage their energy and emotions in the longer term.
A bespoke Individual Learning Plan outlining overarching aims and objectives drives our planning. This includes EHCP targets and other pre-agreed outcomes ensuring we provide meaningful and relevant opportunities to allow the young person to flourish and progress.
Ultimately, we put the child at the centre of our work and help equip them with the skills they need to successfully achieve their next steps.
