My name is Rebecca Prior
Since 2015 I have been a Forest School teacher.
Why? Being outside in a woodland setting, watching young people adults ever increasing confidence, determination, physical and emotional resilence is humbling. Witnessing those ‘I did it’ moments is a joy that never looses it shine. The value of being outside is well known. More recently its healing properties have the backing of medical and phycological research. Being Outside at Forest School does make a difference. I feel incredibly grateful that my second career gives me such profesional wellbeing and pride.
For over 10 years I worked as a History teacher in various secondary schools, holding a range of different academic and pastoral positions. I was fortunate, I loved what I did. In the autumn of 2014, I experienced a significant loss of mental health. Teaching in the classroom was over. With a huge amount of varied support, I began to crawl myself back to a better, stronger place. It was then, in late 2015 that I came across a course that offered FS training. Since then I have built a reputation for myself and Forest School that I am proud of.
In July 2021 I chose to leave a local primary school after 5 very special years. From early Autumn 2021 began working closer with more vunerable and complex school age children. Until recently the majority of my work has been with primary aged children. From mainstream and special schools. Since September 2023 I have taken jobs in two secondary schools. One of which has an expanding exclusion unit, giving me an opportunity to work alongside a small team of staff, working to empower young people to increase the amount of the day/week in the main school.
Early summer marked the start of Women’s Wellbeing Experiences. Four hours in the woods incorporating both Forest School and many of the elements of self care and reflection. It is an area that I hope to expand in 2025.
Funding is almost non-existent in both education and the charity sector. Bespoke team days and larger group experiences will enable employees to for fill their social responsibilities to their employee’s AND know that what they are paying me mean that I will be paid once but continue to ‘pay it forward’. HOW? To enable me to work for free, offer bursary places for Holiday Camps or work in schools for a small nominal hourly rate.
SCROLL DOWN TO LEARN MORE ABOUT WHY ‘FOREST SCHOOL’ is my second career….
why forest school?
Forest School teaching offers me the best of both worlds. Being outside and watching people grow in confidence, physical and mental strength and witnessing the joy of socialising outdoors. Seeing a significant change in body language, eye contact and social interaction is a privilege. Forest School gives all those that attend choice. Choice to choose how they spend their time, doing what relaxes them or challenges them. Working collaboratively, creatively and with curiosity. Learning to communicate, become a ‘craftsman’ and to commit to a tasks of physical nature.
Much of this is discovered through play, allowing ourselves to play and take time to rediscover the simplicity of nature, the outdoors and time away from ‘life’ and ‘routine’ has deep and far-reaching impacts on us all.
Recently much has been written about the benefits of being outside. Especially since the start of the pandemic in March 2020. This is both anecdotal and also scientific. We ‘know’ this to be the case. Forest School encapsulates the joy and benefits of the outdoors.
However, getting outdoors, out of the house and socialising with others can present huge emotional challenges. I know this first hand. Forest School is a safe space to begin to improve your mental wellbeing and confidence.
