Bright Woods Forest School CIC

Our staff members have a vast amount of experience in delivery of Forest Schools programmes, outdoor education and creative activities. They are qualified in Outdoor First Aid, are DBS checked, hold Food Safety certificates and are members of the Forest School Association: Honia Devlin Gemma McColl Louise Shepherd Honia Devlin Honia established Bright Woods Forest School in 2016, keen to inspire children and help them develop an understanding of the natural world. Honia has over 12 years’ experience in delivery of outdoor education and wildlife conservation projects as well as running events and wild themed birthday parties to children of all ages. She has previously worked for London Wildlife Trust and more locally for the Heart of Teesdale Landscape Partnership. She has an MSc in Biology with specialism in Environmental Biology and is a qualified Forest Schools Level 3 Practitioner. Gemma McColl Gemma, who joined the team shortly after, spent more than 14 years working in community arts and ran a successful Educational Arts business, working with children throughout KS1-3, before becoming a qualified primary school teacher. As a freelance artist, Gemma worked with schools and community groups delivering various workshops, which were inspired by the Reggio Emilia enquiry-based approach of early childhood education. The ethos of the Reggio approach and Forest Schools sit comfortably together as they are about empowering children and helping them to be resilient problem-solvers in the future. Gemma is a qualified Forest Schools Level 3 Practitioner. Louise Shepherd Louise started with us as a volunteer in 2018 before becoming an integral part of the team. She is a keen nature enthusiast with a particular interest in wild flowers, trees and lichen and has a wealth of knowledge. Prior to joining Bright Woods, Louise was a family support officer in a primary school and while there, she completed her Level 3 Forest School qualification and enjoyed organising and facilitating sessions such as pond dipping, bug hunts and fire lighting. Louise is also a qualified secondary school teacher and spent many years leading scout sessions, supporting children from 6 to 18 years old with bushcraft and camping activities. Volunteers We also have a number of volunteers who contribute to the varied aspects of running of our Forest School including wildlife conservation and practical work as well as assisting sessions and events. Please get in touch if you are interested in our volunteering opportunities. Our Ethos Bright Woods Forest School CIC believes in children’s rights to play, access the natural world, experience appropriate risk and a healthy range of emotions. We believe that children who are given the freedom to play in the outdoors and get dirty and wet are simply happy children. Such children are more fulfilled, less prone to depression and more connected to the world around them. In 2017, as away of helping us to fulfil our values and ethos and provide sessions to as wide an audience as possible, Bright Woods Forest School became a not for profit Community Interest Company.