About Our Forest School
Lee Davis - Forest School Leader
I am a qualified Level Three Forest School Leader with seven years in Early Years childcare, as well as a BA (Hons) degree in Early Years Management and Practice. I have a passion for working with children to give them a holistic Forest School experience. I am always keen to pass on my knowledge of the environment and believe that children need to be given the opportunity to learn how to manage their own risk.
Early Development
I am aware of how much impact our input into children’s early development has. In a world that is becoming more and more digital, I believe that children deserve, and should be given the opportunity to switch their attention to more achievable, child-initiated tasks which take place outdoors, where possible in a woodland environment.
Helping Children learn vital skills
Forest School allows children to learn not only new physical skills, but research has shown it helps them to work with others, problem solve and manage their own risk.
Read more about the Forest School approach.
Where is our Forest School?
Our Forest School activities take place in a dedicated venue, situated in one acre of woodland in Farncombe, near Godalming, Surrey. The area is perfectly set up to maximise the benefits of Forest School activities. Access is via a gate on the A3100.
Where is our Outdoor Pre-School?
Our Outdoor Pre-School takes place at Birtley Estate in Bramley, Guildford. Birtley Estate is set within 48 acres of beautiful Surrey Hills countryside, made up of a cider orchard, formal gardens and a lake stocked with Brown trout. Surrey Hills Forest School is lucky to have permission to use the woodland and surrounding grounds for its Outdoor Preschool.
However, we are able to offer bespoke, tailor-made Forest School programmes to suit your requirements and are happy to arrange a site visit to assess your own space, if necessary.
Read more about our venues.
Nike Werstroh - Senior Pre-School Practitioner
Nike is an outdoor enthusiast who believes that children can’t start early enough to explore the outdoors. She has a Level 3 Diploma in Children and Young People’s Workforce and over ten years experience in childcare. She would like to share her passion for the outdoors with children and encourage them to spend more time playing outside. She loves hiking, travelling, exploring and reading. When she is not building a den or making campfire at forest school, she is probably hiking, researching and writing her next walking guidebook.
Our Qualifications
Surrey Hills Forest School is fully Ofsted Registered. All activities are rigorously risk assessed and planned before hand. All staff working for Surrey Hills Forest School are DBS checked and qualified in Early Years childcare. The Forest School Leader will hold the relevant qualifications.
