Outdoor Classrooms on the Rise: Woodlands.co.uk Helps Forest Schools Create Space to Grow

Kent, England – 2 June 2025 – With a growing recognition that not every young person thrives in a traditional classroom environment, outdoor education is becoming a vital solution. Woodlands.co.uk is proud to support Willow Bushcraft CIC, a leading Forest School in Kent, in their mission to help young people who may struggle in conventional school settings find success and confidence in the natural world.

Willow Bushcraft CIC, founded by Lisa Bradford, offers an alternative educational experience that allows young people to learn through hands-on activities in the great outdoors. Their programmes focus on building skills like teamwork, problem-solving, and self-reliance — helping participants develop not just practical skills, but also a sense of personal achievement that may be difficult to foster in a classroom.

“Not all young people fit the traditional school model,” says Anton Baskerville from Woodlands.co.uk. “That’s why we’re proud to support Willow Bushcraft, whose programmes offer an inclusive and nurturing environment where young people can reconnect with themselves and nature, and develop skills they might never have encountered in a typical classroom setting.”

Recent studies support the growing trend of outdoor education, particularly Forest Schools, which use natural environments as the setting for experiential learning. Research from Loughborough University found that Forest School participants often show improved social and communication skills, increased resilience, and a greater sense of independence compared to their peers in traditional education systems. These benefits are particularly significant for those who may struggle with the social pressures or rigid structure of conventional schools.

For many young people, time spent outdoors is not just an escape from the classroom — it’s a chance for personal growth. Willow Bushcraft’s approach emphasises building confidence through activities like shelter-building, woodworking, and safe fire-starting, where students set and achieve their own goals. One recent project saw two students craft a bender chair from coppiced hazel, a task that not only taught them new practical skills but also gave them a sense of accomplishment and pride.

Lisa Bradford, founder of Willow Bushcraft CIC, says, “Forest Schools offer something that traditional schools can’t — the chance for young people to engage with learning in a way that speaks to them personally. The natural environment creates space for them to grow at their own pace and discover strengths they didn’t know they had. The support from Woodlands.co.uk has been invaluable in helping us create this opportunity for more young people.”

Forest Schools are not just an alternative to mainstream education — they’re rapidly becoming a crucial part of the UK’s educational landscape. Many schools are now incorporating outdoor learning as part of their curriculum, recognising the tangible benefits that nature-based education offers in building essential life skills. These programmes offer a more holistic approach to learning, fostering emotional well-being, resilience, and a deeper connection to the environment.

The growing success of programmes like Willow Bushcraft CIC shows how transformative outdoor education can be. With support from organisations like Woodlands.co.uk, Willow Bushcraft CIC is able to offer young people a safe, supportive space where they can rediscover their potential and thrive, regardless of their experiences in traditional schools.

Visit www.woodlands.co.uk to explore woodland spaces for sale, find educational resources, and join a growing community dedicated to outdoor learning and environmental stewardship.

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Editors notes

Founded with a mission to make woodland ownership accessible and enjoyable, Woodlands.co.uk offers private woodlands for sale across the UK. The company provides resources and guidance for new owners to explore creative ways of managing their woodlands for personal and community benefit. Whether for conservation, leisure, or environmental education, Woodlands.co.uk empowers individuals to steward and protect their woodlands for generations to come.