What did you do at school today?
Rated "Good" - Ofsted report (06.12.21)
"Children are highly engaged and motivated to learn in this delightful setting. They have superb opportunities to play and learn in the carefully designed spaces, such as the bird hide and tool station. Staff create a welcoming environment deep within the woods and encourage children to explore freely and independently. The manager demonstrates immense passion, knowledge and ambition and is keen for children to experience hands-on learning in the natural environment." READ THE FULL REPORT HERE > > >
Stay & Play at Dapdune
Starting on Thursday 21st April, we will be offering a further Stay & Play session at Dapdune Wharf in Guildford. The session running from 9:45 to 11:45 will be in additional to the existing Tuesday and Wednesday sessions at Birtley Estate.
To find out more, click on the link below.
SUMMER HOLIDAY CLUBS
We will once again be running our popular Forest School Holiday Clubs for children aged 2 to 8 – taking place over the Summer holidays from Mon 25th to Wed 27th July, Mon 1st to Wed 3rd August and Mon 8th to Wed 10th August.
Book now – Places are limited!
Stay & Play at Dapdune
As well as our existing sessions on Tuesdays and Wednesdays at Birtley Estate, we are now running a further Stay and Play session on Thursdays at Dapdune Wharf.
All sessions run from 9:45 to 11:45.
To find out more, click on the link below.
What we offer
OUTDOOR PRE-SCHOOL
Our Outdoor Pre-School follows the Forest School Approach and takes place on Mondays & Fridays from 9am to 4pm at Birtley Estate in Bramley, Guildford.
For Schools
A Forest School environment provides a classroom without walls, with space for children to explore, experience, develop their natural curiosity and learn in a practical context.
For Nurseries
Forest Schools help promote young children’s social and emotional development by allowing them to learn how to work with others, listening and sharing ideas.
Birthday Parties
Celebrate the big day, whilst experiencing the beauty of the Surrey Hills. We can provide parties with a bespoke, hands-on adventure for your children and their friends.
Stay and Play
Whether a nanny or childminder looking for something different to do, or a parent who wants to try new activities alongside their children, everyone is welcome at our Stay and Play sessions.
Holiday Clubs
Why choose a Forest School?
Testimonials
We really enjoyed the outdoor party for our 7 year old, with Surrey Hills Forest School. The children enjoyed all the different activities and the mixture of free play and games, and all were looking happy and exhausted after many rounds of the obstacle course! My 5 year old daughter woke up this morning asking if should could have the same party when it was her birthday as it had been so much fun!
Sam
We celebrated my son’s 5th birthday at Surrey Hills Forest School – it was just brilliant! Really lovely location, we were lucky it was lambing season and all the baby lambs were in the field next door looking utterly adorable! There were loads of activities for the kids to get stuck into independently, as well as organised games and of course toasting marshmallows and making s’mores. Lee and Amy were fantastic with the kids and really made sure everybody had a great time. Highly recommended.
Jacqueline
Thank you for making the boys 7th birthday party such a success; everyone had a great time! The site was well organised and Lee had a great manner with the children. Would definitely recommend to anyone thinking of having a forest-school birthday party!
Jenny
The flexible and adaptable approach that Lee and Nike provide at Surrey Hills Forest School ensures that every child’s individual interests are nurtured and the curriculum is tailored to their passions. He comes home after every session saying, ‘That was the best day EVER!’
Emily
Thank you so much for a fun packed day for my two boys age 5&6. They have come home with beaming smiles and talking non stop about all the amazing things they have done.
Kate
I’ve been to a couple of his sessions and can see why all the kids love them! As a way of getting children to appreciate and have fun outdoors, I can only recommend this.
PAUL
My daughter had a brilliant time there and really enjoyed all the variety of outdoor learning provided by the team. I would highly recommend a forest school setting to all pre-school children – it’s such a lovely experience for them to learn in nature.
SARAH B
The Forest School is such a lovely place! Carefully thought out, nurturing and safe. My daughter loved her time there and keeps talking about going back next year! I would thoroughly recommend it.
SARAH C
Both girls love their time at forest school. Lee and his team have provided a fantastic environment for them to explore the woods, play independently and with friends and also to learn new skills.
RACHAEL
We love this forest school! Our son has flourished here, he has speech and language difficulties but the nature of this setting has allowed him to explore his speech abilities without the spotlight of a classroom. Lee has made a wonderful preschool in the forest.
PAM
3.
Join our Forest School Team
Do you have a sense of adventure and would love to be outside all day, working with children? Working with Surrey Hills Forest School can enrich the lives of both you and the children .
We are always on the look out for enthusiastic individuals. See the current job opportunities here.
How do you rate our Forest School?
We recently asked the parents and carers to answer a few questions to give us some feedback on Surrey Hills Forest School. Each question was rated from 1 to 5, with 1 being poor and 5 being excellent. The results are shown below.
Many thanks to everyone who took time to complete the questionnaire.
Do you think that the forest school has a friendly and inclusive atmosphere?
Does the forest school stimulate your child?
Is it a safe place for children to attend?
Does your child look forward to coming to the forest school?
Do you feel fully informed when your child has an accident at forest school?
Are you happy with the level of security at the forest school?
Do you think your child’s individual needs are being met?
This questionnaire was carried out with parents and carers of children attending Surrey Hills Forest School in May 2021.
Scenes from our Forest School
Latest Updates
Surrey Hills Forest School
Great way to finish our last session of the term for this group. The children made their own flag using leaves and pens. What a pleasure to watch this group grow and learn over the term. #forestschools #eyfsinspiration #natureatitsbest #futurenaturelover
Surrey Hills Forest School
Well done Year 5. A great session this afternoon. Amazing what can be created using a little imagination and a few simple tools. So many areas of the curriculum covered by this simple activity, including having fun! #earlyyearsforestschool #eyfs #playmobil
Surrey Hills Forest School is in Esher.
Wonderful session this week at Milbourne Lodge. Amazing to see how young children handle a vegetable peeler for the first time. Some great creativity in turning a stick into a friend. #outdoorctafts #forestschoolideas #whittling
Surrey Hills Forest School is fully Ofsted Registered and our Leader is a qualified Level Three Forest School Leader with seven years in Early Years childcare.
Rated “Good” at recent inspection, dated 6th December 2021.