The Forest School Podcast

In this lively, thought-provoking episode, Lewis and Gemma shelter from stormy March winds in the cabin and introduce a deceptively simple yet powerful theme: “Stressful Messy Play” (or “playing at work”). Beginning with a fun fact about why March is the windiest month and an explanation of ancient woodland anemones (aka windflowers), they dive into how play that looks serious, high-stakes or even...

In this engaging, wide-ranging episode, Lewis and Gemma sit down with forest-craft expert Richard Irvine to unpack the journey of turning hands-on craft skills into a beautifully photographed, foolproof step-by-step book. They dig into the challenges of writing clear instructions without in-person coaching, the value of a pared-back tool kit (just a pruning saw, whittling knife, awl and tent peg!)...

What does Forest School look like when it’s woven into the fabric of a home educating life? In this full and playful episode, Lewis and Gemma reflect on years of working with home educated families in Forest School settings. They discuss the key differences between children who’ve always been home educated and those who’ve left mainstream school, share advice for starting a home ed Forest School g...

In this deep-dive episode, Lewis and Gemma explore Evolutionary Playwork and Reflective Analytic Practice by Bob Hughes — a seminal but notoriously dense book that challenges how we think about play, education, and the evolution of humanity itself. Together, they unpack the book’s provocative ideas: the role of play in human development, the power of truly adult-free play spaces, the tension betwe...

In this episode, Lewis and Gemma dive deep into the layered reality of planning in Forest School. From laminated resources to spontaneous spoon carving, they discuss the contrast between top-down educational planning and the responsive, cyclical, seasonal approach required in outdoor settings. With honesty and humour, they unpack what planning actually looks like when you’re working in tune with t...

In this reflective and surprisingly passionate episode, Lewis and Gemma kick off the new year by unpacking what it means to set goals for yourself, your Forest School, and the children in your care. They explore their chosen theme for the year— Nature Connection —and the thinking behind it. What does it look like to move beyond "just being outside" and intentionally build stillness, pres...

In this special reflective episode, Lewis and Gemma take a rambling, funny, and deeply human walk through the entire Forest School year of 2018. Using their camera roll as a guide, they recall the highs, lows, and everything in between—from frozen tree pickups in January to emotional moments with their own children in the woods. Expect stories about chaotic community Christmas tree collections, ch...

In this episode, Lewis and Gemma dive into Marshall Rosenberg’s groundbreaking book Nonviolent Communication: A Language of Life . They unpack how this deceptively simple framework has the potential to transform relationships, especially in Forest School and parenting settings. They reflect on Rosenberg’s most dramatic examples (including one involving a would-be mugger), why storytelling our need...

In this powerful and thought-provoking episode, Lewis and Gemma take on a theme that’s often brushed aside in children’s education: gender and feminism in storytelling . Huddled in sub-zero temperatures, they explore how the stories we tell—especially fairy tales, myths, and folk tales—are shaped by the historical dominance of male perspectives and how that influences children’s perceptions of pow...

In this calm, conversational episode of The Forest School Podcast, Lewis and Gemma take shelter from the wind and explore the deceptively simple theme: "It Doesn’t Have to Be Perfect." From last-minute changes and forgotten kit to messy sessions and emotional curveballs, they unpack what ‘perfection’ really means in the world of outdoor education. This wide-ranging episode discusses plan...

In this brutally honest and often hilarious episode of The Forest School Podcast, Lewis and Gemma brave torrential storms to dive deep into one of the most unspoken realities of outdoor education: burnout and fatigue . As Forest School leaders themselves, they share the emotional and physical toll of holding space in the winter months—when the woods feel like they're hibernating, children are...

In this rich, relatable episode, Lewis and Gemma explore the unique benefits and dynamics of mixed age play in Forest School settings. Drawing from their experiences running toddler groups, family sessions, and holiday events, they discuss how mixed ages—from newborns to 12-year-olds—create powerful opportunities for emotional growth, leadership, empathy, and inclusive community building. The conv...

In this provocative and thoughtful episode, Lewis and Gemma grapple with one of the thorniest questions in Forest School practice: how do we respond when children harm insects or animals during play? Is it ever appropriate to allow a child to pull the legs off a spider in the name of learning? Where do we draw lines between empathy, mastery, morality, and real-world contradictions—like leather sho...

In this warm, hilarious, and thoughtful episode of The Forest School Podcast, Lewis and Gemma dive into cooking at Forest School —why it matters, how it works, and what it reveals about play, connection, and community. They share practical experiences with wood-fired pizzas, vegan cakes, Dutch oven disasters, and collaborative apple pancakes, all cooked outdoors with children and families. The con...

In this rich and heartwarming group conversation, recorded around a campfire at the Southwest Forest School gathering, Lewis is joined by Megan Adams, Judy Simpson, and K.W. from Holly and Hawthorn. Together they explore what success really means in a Forest School setting—beyond tick-box outcomes or academic regurgitation. This roundtable shares powerful personal stories of transformation, belong...

In this deep and often humorous episode, Lewis is joined by a fellow Forest School leader to explore the messy, contradictory, and powerful experience of Forest School training . They compare two very different Level 3 journeys — one recent, one several years ago — and unpack what makes a good trainer, what participants should leave with, and how training formats shape mindset and confidence. The...

In this reflective episode recorded straight after a storytelling retreat with Chris Holland, Lewis and Gemma unpack the emotional and practical impact of storytelling in Forest School settings. From the improvisational freedom of the retreat to the deep ancient roots of oral storytelling, they explore why it’s such a potent tool for play, community, and child development. They discuss the power o...

After a long break (and a lost episode to static), Lewis and Gemma return with a rich conversation about rhythm, routine, and structure in Forest School. This episode explores how routines form naturally through repetition, not enforcement, and how children gradually build confidence and independence through a session’s rhythm. They discuss seasonal influences on focus and flow, the importance of...

In this gentle and reflective episode of The Forest School Podcast , Lewis and Gemma sit under the dripping trees after a summer rain to share honest thoughts about the end of term. They discuss the quiet magic of observing children as they become increasingly self-sufficient, the emotional tension of goodbyes, and how children shape their own celebrations through ritual and play. You’ll hear refl...

In this rich, folklore-filled episode of The Forest School Podcast , Lewis and Gemma take a joyful ramble through their favourite plants and trees used in Forest School. Grouped loosely into three themes—cooking, craft, and ethos—they explore not only the practical uses of flora like elder, nettles, wild garlic, and birch, but also the deep-rooted cultural, mythological, and emotional significance...

In this bold and thoughtful episode of The Forest School Podcast , Lewis and Gemma explore one of the most controversial topics in early years education: war play, fighting, and weapons in Forest School . From stick swords to imaginary AK-47s, they dive deep into why this kind of play emerges, how it can be supported ethically, and why banning it outright may actually hinder emotional development....

In this energised and laughter-filled episode of The Forest School Podcast , Lewis and Gemma dive deep into the world of structured games in Forest School settings. They explore how games like 123 Where Are You? , Hunters and Rabbits , and Mr Crocodile offer more than entertainment—they build community, provide scaffolding for social interaction, and even offer a pathway into mindfulness and emoti...

In this deep-dive episode of The Forest School Podcast , Lewis and Gemma unpack the real benefits of long-term Forest School sessions—beyond the standard “you see the seasons change.” They explore how long-term provision enables genuine, trust-based relationships with children, parents, and the land. From greater behavioural stability and reduced coercion to the freedom for both children and pract...

In this beautifully rich episode of The Forest School Podcast , Lewis and Gemma explore the many ways that music weaves into their outdoor practice. They reflect on how music supports community connection, rhythm, emotional regulation, and transition, particularly in toddler sessions and multi-age groups. From spontaneous humming during woodland walks to planned songs that children shape through t...

In this reflective and candid episode of The Forest School Podcast , Lewis and Gemma revisit the early days of their Forest School journey, asking: “What would we tell ourselves at the beginning?” From the stress of over-planning to the pressure of doing everything “right,” they explore the common mistakes and learning curves that new leaders face. They speak openly about trusting the environment,...