About Us

In our beautiful woodland we offer:

Weekly ‘Stay & Play' toddler sessions (suitable from birth to 5 year olds)
Workshops (like bird box making) for older children and adults
Family 'Stay & Play’ sessions in school holidays
Birthday parties
Volunteering opportunities.

We can also facilitate the hiring of our site.

The woods have lots of different zones to explore including - a wildlife pond, mud kitchen, hammocks, gutter-run, fire circle and Fairy Hollow. Each two-hour session has a theme with a craft to take home, an activity and usually something yummy cooked on the campfire. We love to gather around the fire and have a bit of a sing song at the end too! Tea, coffee and hot chocolate is provided and parking and a compost toilet are available on site.

We work hard to nurture the health and biodiversity of the woods for future generations. We encourage nature connection, sharing of skills and sense of stewardship for the local environment.

We know that sharing our beautiful woodland will have a positive impact on everyone who visits.

Meet the Team

Sessions are run by Sara and Emma, two primary school teachers with a love of all things outdoorsy and for bringing people together!

Sara

Sara is a teacher, forest school leader, tutor, mum and the founder of Dainton Copse Forest School.

She qualified as a Forest School Leader a whopping 23 years ago and, after teaching in the classrooms of various schools and settings for 20 years, has finally opened her own forest school - a dream come true!

Sara is a big fan of PLAY! She loves how our beautiful woodland provides countless opportunities for discovery, fun, creativity and problem-solving. Interacting with the natural environment allows children to learn by doing and experiment with ideas; perfect for developing inquisitive minds!

Knowing that our children are the future caretakers of our planet motivates her to support young people in fostering positive relationships with our wonderful natural world.

Emma

Emma is a teacher and mum who discovered a real passion for the outdoors when taking part in Forest School sessions with her young daughter.

She has seen and experienced how the outdoor environment really helps engage and stimulate young children as well as provide a calming, free space for all to enjoy, regardless of age or limitation.

As an experienced and passionate Early Years practitioner, Emma is especially committed to helping young learners develop and thrive. She believes that Forest School provides the perfect environment for the development of inquisitive, resilient learners who love and want to protect the world around them.

Emma met Sara whilst volunteering at another Forest School. She was delighted to be invited to help set up Dainton Copse Forest School based on a shared vision of opening up this wonderful outdoor space to the local community to be respectfully enjoyed by all who visit.

Jack

As a fellow director, Jack has supported us right from the start and shares our passion for all things forest school!

Here's what he has to say:

'Having taken my son Finley to forest school almost every Thursday since its early days, I am delighted and honoured in becoming a director alongside two of the most caring and hardworking women; Sara and Emma. I look forward to helping develop and maintain the forest school and supporting all those involved. I am so excited to see more and more people enjoy the beauty that is Dainton Copse Forest school and am proud to be a part of it.'