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Hi,

I have lived in Essex all my life and have over 30 years experience of outdoor learning.

I worked for Essex Wildlife Trust for 27 years working in schools and other settings all over Essex and qualified as a Forest School Leader in 2008, working with a range of client groups to deliver Forest School for over 20 years and I have experienced first hand the values of Forest School programmes to all ages. Ideas and creativity flow; dynamic projects unfold; physical activity increases; wellbeing improves and strong positive relationships are formed. 

In 2014 I qualified as a Forest School trainer with Cambium Sustainable, and since then I have delivered many Forest School and Coastal School training courses in Essex each year. Cambium Sustainable ensure quality through providing regular training and standardisation to over 40 Forest School trainers to ensure top quality courses. I work part time for Cambium Sustainable as a Forest School trainer assessor, travelling the UK to assess trainee Forest School trainers. 

My Forest School Training Essex company has been created to support others to become qualified Forest School leaders to increase Forest School programmes because of the benefits to participants, and leaders too. I believe passionately in the value of playing and being outdoors in natural environments during Forest School and Coastal School sessions, and the increased learning, health and mental wellbeing benefits that occur through regular doses of nature connection. As a result, I deliver all my training courses entirely outside to provide a complete immersion in the natural world.

My main training site is a beautiful mature woodland on the site of Kendall Primary School in Colchester, Essex which has a large woodland and a variety of outdoor covered spaces, but I can also be booked to deliver training at a site near you. 

I have visited outdoor Forest Schools, nurseries and outdoor schools in Denmark, Sweden and Finland to visit the roots of Forest School and to experience first-hand the relaxed and dynamic approach to outdoor learning in Scandinavia.

I am on the steering group of the Essex Forest School Association  and helped to organise and run the Forest School Association conferences in 2022 and 2023.

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Inclusivity is at the heart of all my training and I work to support all to succeed. Please get in touch if you would like to discuss your needs.

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• Reviews from recent trainees:
  'I can not recommend this course enough! Laura is an incredible trainer, her wealth of knowledge and expertise has made me so excited to share everything I have learnt from her with my own setting. Being surrounded by other passionate like-minded people in an amazing location just topped it off! I felt like I was on a retreat! I have learnt so much and feel so confident to support the well-being and development of so many children in my care through Forest School.  I am SO glad to have trained with Laura!''

• Laura is an excellent trainer. I thoroughly enjoyed our the outdoor practical skills week and the wonderful help and support during the Level 3 coursework.I recommend her and will look out for refresher courses in the future.'

 

​I look forward to working with you to start your Forest School journey. ​

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Laura Harvey

Level 4 Forest School Trainer (2014)

Level 3 Forest School Leader (2008)

Level 3 Coastal School Leader (2017)

RHS Level 2

Certificate in Therapeutic Forest (2021)

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