Shield Tree Wood

Shield Tree Wood is a Viking themed Forest School and outdoor woodland at Thornsett Fields Farm, New Mills on the edge of the Derbyshire Peak District.

They are passionate about getting children and adults back outside where they are happiest.

At Shield Tree Wood they use exploration, den building, woodland crafts, tool use, campfire cooking, woodland games and story-telling to support the emotional development of our learners. Self-esteem and confidence are nurtured leading to the long-term development of life skills such as team-work, empathy, problem-solving, creating thinking, resilience and perseverance.

As well as all the benefits that comes from Forest School and outdoor learning, Shield Tree Wood offers a fun way of teaching Viking and local history to children and adults. The Viking way of life goes hand in hand with the ethos of Forest School, so they tie in Viking folklore, crafts, mythology and history into some of our sessions.

The school currently provide the following services:

  • Forest School sessions for local schools – we can transport you to our site or bring Shield Tree Wood to your school grounds.
  • Curriculum-based 1/2 or full day sessions for schools – bringing history or science alive in the woods, such as Viking Days. Ideal for class trips.
  • Saplings Stay and Play – preschool child-led play for babies and toddlers.
  • Parties – choose from one of our themes – Viking, Nature Spirit, Bushcraft and Outlaws – or provide your own.
  • Clan Forest Capers – family sessions where parents and children can reconnect with nature.
  • Holiday Woodland Clubs – For aged 5 -11.

As they grow…Look out for our event plans in the future:

  • Adult and teen woodland workshop sessions – Furniture, spoon and bowl making led by experienced woodsmen.
  • Corporate team building days
  • Viking re-enactment
  • Woodland art therapy sessions

Rachel is our Forest School Level 3 Practitioner and Forest School First Aid trained. She is passionate about getting children outdoors and experiencing the calming and magical effect that our woods have to offer. Rachel has 10 years teaching experience including both Secondary (Science teacher) and Primary (Forest School Leader and Teaching Assistant). She is particularly interested in using outdoor woodlands to support children and adults on their social and emotional development journeys and can’t wait to thread some science and nature into the sessions!

Kerrie is an outdoors enthusiast and will assist our sessions. She is an experienced artist and brings a creative flair to the woods. Art and creativity will play a large part in our woods and Kerrie hopes that creating art within the therapeutic woodland environment, will improve people’s mental health. She also has a passion for giving children a hands-on and exciting experience in history.

All the staff are DBS checked, have public liabilities insurance, hold food hygiene level 2 certificates and have full risk assessments in place.

Check their events page for more details and how to contact them or you can also follow them on twitter

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