Its time to book your tickets for Forest Fest, Bradford Forest School Network’s annual celebration of all things forest school! Forest Fest takes place 10-11 May at Blackhills Scout Camp.
Until the end of March, there is £10 off the ticket price, but prices have to go up at the start of April, so book now for just £30 for Full members and £50 for Associate members and non-members. This bargain price includes all the workshops on Saturday and skill share on Sunday, networking, games, plus a tasty takeaway curry on the Saturday night. Book now on our Events page
Forest School Leader position
12th December 2024
Fagley Primary School are seeking a Forest School Leader to start in early 2025
We are currently looking to appoint an energetic and enthusiastic Forest School Leader to develop our outdoor curriculum. The successful candidate will have a passion for outdoor education and engaging children with the natural world. Your primary responsibility will be running forest school activities with groups of children both on and off site.
Vacancy Information
Fagley Primary is an outstanding primary school situated in Bradford close to Ravenscliffe Wood. We are dedicated to inspiring children through nature-based learning and outdoor exploration. Supporting children’s emotional, social, and physical development through activities that promote teamwork, problem-solving, and independence.
Our Forest Schools Leader would be responsible for planning and delivering outdoor learning experiences that promote children’s development through engagement with nature. It is essential that you hold a Forest School Level 3 certification and you have previous experience in leading outdoor education sessions.
The highlight of the Bradford Forest School Network year is Forest Fest, our annual celebration of all things forest school, for practitioners and anyone interested in forest school. We’re moving to a new venue this year, the stunning Woodsworth Exploring in Oakworth, the Worth Valley.
This year’s theme is sustainability, so expect some environmentally friendly workshops and plenty of nature connections. There is limited parking at the campsite, so why no start the eco-friendly way by arriving by bus – or even catching a steam train along the Worth Valley line!
Natural England and Bradford Council are working together to create a new National Nature Reserve in the Bradford District and are seeking the views of local residents on the shape and purpose of the new site. As people interested in landscape and nature, Bradford Forest School Network invites its members to complete the survey
This new National Nature Reserve will celebrate the stunning landscapes and amazing wildlife we have in and around Bradford. National Nature Reserves also help protect, restore and help us to appreciate and restore nationally important biodiversity (animals and plants) and/or geodiversity (e.g. rocks, fossils, minerals and landforms). They are also places for people to come and enjoy nature, learn more about it and do something to help nature close to where they live.
As a potential visitor, they are interested to hear
1) What would encourage you to visit a National Nature Reserve? 2) What benefits you would like a National Nature Reserve to offer you and/or Bradford? 3) Where you think the National Nature Reserve could be?
They would love to hear your views and would appreciate it if you could take 5 minutes to answer a few questions. Click here to complete the survey
Exciting new forest school job opportunity
7th December 2023
Inspirations Nursery are hiring a Forest School Programme Director to join their team. They currently run nurseries in Horsforth and Adel which incorporate extensive forest school activities in all their age groups. The next stage of their development is to extend this activity to teach the next generation of forest school practitioners and offer Level 2 and 3 courses. At their Horsforth nursery they have access to local woodland and have the facilities and resources to develop these programmes. They are seeking a a current Forest School practitioner qualified to level 3 or 4 to join their Senior Management team.
The outdoor practitioner will:
Work with training providers to ensure accreditation is complete.
Develop on-line resources with suitable training modules.
Plan on-site practical courses
Work with other members of the senior management team to ensure commercial considerations are in place.
This is a new initiative for Inspirations, which as a children’s day nursery has been in place over 20 years. This is a full-time position with a base salary of £30,000 plus incentives based on the rate of growth of this new venture.
For further details including how to apply, click on the Project Brief
Forest School Work Opportunities
23rd October 2023
Bradford Forest School Network gets sent enquiries about work opportunities, which we share via our Whatsapp group BFSN Group Chat and through emails to our Full Members. If you are a forest school business or freelancer that is interested in work opportunities we encourage you to join the WhatsApp group by contacting info@bradfordforestschools.co.uk or join BFSN as a Full (ie paying) member via our membership page MemberMojo.
New Booking system for Bradford Council woodlands
20th September 2023
Bradford Council manages 590 hectares of woodlands, so there is huge scope for running forest schools in our district. However, before using one of their sites, forest school practitioners need to seek permission from the Council and they will ONLY grant permission to forest school groups who are part of Bradford Forest School Network, so that’s another good reason to join up.
Following the email, the council will send the enquirer a new booking form, (the old Woodlands booking form has been replaced) and asked to read their Terms of Letting and Woodlands Code of conduct documents. The booking form is used to check availability and suitability of event. If the booking can proceed, you will then need to provide evidence of risk assessment, public liability insurance, site layout and in some cases, evidence of completion of the council’s Safety Advisory Group form.
Forest Fest Tickets Go On Sale
4th March 2023
Bradford Forest School Network’s eagerly awaited annual Forest Fest weekend is now open for bookings, with early bird ticket discounts on offer only to the end of March. Forest Fest will take place the weekend of Saturday 13- Sunday 14 May 2023 at the beautiful Sconce scout camp on Baildon Moor. This event is for any adults interested in forest school, outdoor learning and play, whether as a practitioner, parent or educator – all are welcome whether you’ve been practising for years or just curious about what its all about.
The event will include a series of workshops and discussions, plus lots of games and chat around the campfire and a delicious curry from a local takeaway. Come for the day or come for the weekend, but book now to secure an early bird discount.
Check Out BFSN’s 2022-2023 Programme!
15th September 2022
The new programme of CPD actvities for the autumn term and beyond is published and ready to take bookings. This term includes some inspiring sessions for forest school practitioners and anyone interested in developing their outdoor skills.
Have you ever wanted to forage mushrooms but don’t know where to begin?
Do you buy new knives because you don’t know how to keep them sharp?
Do you need some fresh ideas for seasonal activities in the winter months?
Then there is something in the autumn term calendar for you! There is advance notice of some exciting training for the spring term too, to get in your diary, including off ground activities, woodcraft and willow work.
We’ve responded to requests from members for sessions that they need, so please support the BFSN programme and book time off to attend as they may not come round again for a while!
To book CPD and skill share sessions go to the Events page
Nature Equipment Giveaway!
23rd August 2022
Learning Through Landscape’s Local Schools Nature Grants Scheme allows Early Years, Infant, Primary and Secondary school and settings in England, Scotland & Wales to apply for £500 worth of outdoor resources, and a two hour training session thanks to the People’s Postcode Lottery and their funding trusts People’s Postcode Trust, Postcode Neighbourhood Trust, Postcode Places Trust, Postcode Society Trust, Postcode Local Trust and Postcode Community Trust.
If you are a school or nursery, looking to invest in equipment for your forest school or outdoor learning activity, apply now as there are just 900 grants on offer across the UK. Final deadlines for 2022 applications are 2 September and 11 November
