Forest School

Starting a forest school has been a long-held dream of mine. As a former primary school teacher, I often felt the classroom alone didn’t suit every child, and from growing up around family-run summer camps — and later working at them for many years — I’ve seen how powerful learning in nature can be. I believe there is very little that can be taught indoors that can’t also be learnt outdoors. Research shows that time in nature helps children build resilience, confidence, and emotional balance, which is why I hope to create a forest school to complement and enrich children’s experience of mainstream education.

My Approach

Each weekly Forest School session is 2.5 hours long and will follow recognised Forest School principles. You can learn more about these here. Experiences are learner-led and designed to support confidence, resilience, independence and a meaningful connection with nature. Research shows that outdoor education can have a positive impact on children’s emotional wellbeing, problem-solving skills and social development, as well as their academic achievement.

Register Interest

Participants have the opportunity to:

• Play and explore in a natural woodland setting

• Learn simple knots and build basic shelters

• Identify local flora and fauna

• Use age-appropriate tools safely

• Take supported risks and develop self-confidence

 

Upcoming Sessions

Dates: April 15th, 22nd & 29th, May 6th, 13th & 20th (all Wednesdays)

Times:

Morning Session: 9:30am-12pm

Afternoon Session: 1:30-4pm

Cost:

€100 per child for all six sessions

(This covers resources and a second adult present at each session.)

Ages:

4–11 years

Location:

Central Morzine (Dereche)

If this sounds like something your child might enjoy, email hello@sophierowe.com, or complete this form, and I’ll be happy to share more details.

  • "Play is the highest expression of human development in childhood, for it alone is the free expression of what is in a child's soul"

    — Friedrich Froebel - 1887

  • "The role of a creative leader is not to have all the idea; it's to create a culture where everyone can have ideas and feel that they're valued."

    — Ken Robinson - 2011

  • As long as I live, I'll hear waterfalls and birds and winds sing. I'll interpret the rocks. Learn the language of the flood, storm and avalanche. I'll acquaint myself with the glaciers and wild gardens, and get as close to the heart of the world as I can."

    — John Muir - 1871

  • "Sunshine is delicious, rain is refreshing, wind braces us up, snow is exhilarating; there really is no such thing as bad weather, only different kinds of good weather."

    — John Ruskin - 1889

  • "The goal of early childhood education should be to activate the child's own natural desire to learn."

    — Maria Montessori - 1946