Tina Roberts is a freelance artist and educator with more than 20 years teaching experience from FS to KS2. She is also trained as a level 3 Forest School Leader and has been an Educational Visits Co-ordinator (EVC).
What is Forest School Plus...
Forest; Forest School inspired learning, expereinces and support for those beginning their Forest School journey.
School: Curriculum Linked workshops and experiences at Herd Farm Activity Centre. Previous co-ordinator of the Leeds Forest School Cluster group.
Plus: Art and craft works sold through an online Etsy shop, exhibitions and fairs, art and craft workshops.
Forest School Plus was established in 2014. Business built up gradually and by March 2020 the 200th Prehistoric Experience had taken place.
Then there was a pandemic and lockdowns. Whilst social distancing Art & Craft continued and after an initial "holiday" the online shops were re-opened in May 2020. From 17.3.20 to June 2021 the outdoor learning at Herd Farm and in school workshops were in hibernation.
Covid-aware KS2 sessions at Herd Farm began again in June 2021 and were initially half days and 100% outdoors.
The Forest School Cluster goup went online until Autumn 2021 when members began to meet outside in each others settings.
Virtual workshops for pupils were planned but did not go ahead due to further school lockdowns in 2020 & 2021.
In May 2022 Nature Reconnection at the Roundhouses began, gentle Forest School for grown ups. This is now available for groups only.
In September 2022 full day sessions for pupils at Herd Farm began again although in a different format.
Forest School Plus continues to take covid into consideration in planning and risk assessments in order to stay well and avoid last minute cancellations for our customers.