Greenwood Growth CIC Forest School

24/10/2025

So many memorable things have happened this half term, and all are worth celebrating. This musical theatre in particular deserves mention. Built by children accessing our nurture provision at Tittesworth this music tree has evolved out of their passion for performance.

That's not all though. The programme began because a local councillor supported us through his community fund and because the coop chose us as one of their local community causes. The instruments are made using UK grown Bamboo, off-cuts donated by our friends Brilliant Bamboo.

Offering support to young children requires support and we are grateful to everyone who has made this work possible.

23/10/2025

Gorgeous morning getting little fingers down in the dirt. Thankyou to all of the families who have joined us since early September. Already looking forward to seeing you in November.

22/10/2025

Clay Bat tiles are ready to glaze. The photograph shows three colour-washes that we've experimented with on the tiles that didn't make it through firing.

This workshop is a small session for adults age 18 upwards and takes place from Foxlowe Arts Centre, the Clay Collective on Tuesday 4 November from 10 - 12pm.

Please book your place via: https://eequ.org/book/bat-stories-clay-tile-workshop-with-greenwood-growth-cic-19624

22/10/2025

Do you home educate? Yesterday a lady explained to me that people making the choice to do things differently with their children feel increasingly persecuted and judged.

We know there are many ways to provide an education for children and so we're very excited to see this offering come from the OUTSIDE project Waymaking

This is free and for home educators. Booking link here: https://eequ.org/book/waymaking-with-jason-singh-with-greenwood-growth-cic-21200

What does this have to do with Forest Schools? Everything. The Waymaking project combines Forest Schools pedagogy with other methodologies designed to enable people to explore and develop, creating their own path. This extension of the project focuses on listening - something we do a lot of whilst spending time together.

Waymaking is concluding this year with four special 'listeningscape' sessions with Jason Singh (pictured), a sound artist, who along with the main 2025 Waymaking groups will be co-creating a soundscape from Stockton Brook Waterworks. 🍃

The four sessions will be taking place in November, one for alternative provision, one for adult Waymaking participants, one for home educated groups and finally a sharing session for all the groups. 🌲

Thursday 6th November, 1 – 3pm: for alternative provision.
Friday 7th November, 1 – 3pm: for adult Waymaking participants.
Monday 10th November, 1 – 3pm: for home educators.
Tuesday 11th November, 11 – 1pm: sharing session for all groups.

Following each session, Jason will process the recordings and create tracks for each group. 🎧

If you are interested in learning whether this is something you, or a group you coordinate, can benefit from, contact: waymaking@outsidearts.org

For more info about Waymaking: https://outsidearts.org/events/waymaking-2025/

22/10/2025

Tomorrow at Lichen & Fern, our group for parents, carers and ages 0 - 5 years we will be making plant pots from newspaper and potting up bulbs for Spring to take home. This is such a wonderful, optimistic thing to do and experience tells us that all ages love the process.

It's our last session before we break for a week, so if you fancy bringing a small plate of food to mark the close of the most brilliant few weeks perhaps we shall feast together too.

“Forest Schools are nature-based communities where trained practitioners nurture learner led exploration and discovery, nurturing meaningful experiences for positive lifelong impacts. Well-being is the foundation of our practice and through recognising the social, emotional and physical needs of p...

21/10/2025

https://eequ.org/book/greenwood-nature-rangers-with-greenwood-growth-cic-20547

Suitable for young people educated at home or on reduced timetables this new group is led by Ros and Bee, a great pair of Practitioners who have been working in the Leek area, and Tittesworth specifically, for some time. If you fancy giving this a try before we break for October half term grab a taster ticket.

Weekly meet up for children age 5 - 11

20/10/2025

Nestled against a dry stone wall under the bough of an Ash Pott Shrigley Church School created a simple pattern made of autumnal shades. Some placed twigs, leaves and feathers whilst others collected from the forest floor. This is a time for gathering in, preparing for the winter and celebrating the riches of summer past.

20/10/2025

It is the last session of the season for Waymaking in Dimmingsdale with James Brunt.

If you are interested in joining but struggling to book get in touch

Create land art with James Brunt

17/10/2025

It's pumpkin season and fun to pick, carve and mash these beautiful fruity vegetables. Admittedly some are better to cook with than others but consider picking a good one and taking it straight to plate with super easy recipes.

- pumpkin chai latte, steam a pumpkin, skin off and puree the flesh. Stir into milk of your choice infused with a spice mix you like (cinnamon, nutmeg) or a chai teabag.
- pumpkin pancakes, add puréed pumpkin to your pancake batter with spices and a little brown sugar. Just use less milk as the purée is moist.
- roast pumpkin, slice into wedges and coat with cumin, salt and oil.

Interested in other recipes too!

16/10/2025

A giant pumpkin was discovered in the woods today. We are talking MASSIVE pumpkin. The pumpkin frame was made by teens over several Waymaking sessions with Lorna and Anthony and has made its way from Stockton Brook Waterworks to Horton where it has brought much joy today.

The toddlers sang as they pushed the pumpkin uphill to watch it roll it down. Later the teens worked hard to give our paths a bit of tlc. and after school club appreciated their new carpet. A busy, diverse kinda day.

15/10/2025

Shared by Practitioner Beth recently this article is great for families keen to investigate the mycelial world.

In our practice we advocate Leave no Trace, meaning that as far as possible we leave our natural world as we find it. From time to time we might find something so extraordinary that merits up close investigation, and when we do that our Practitioner knows the subject is safe to handle and introduces investigation carefully. The mycelium world is one indicator of a healthy eco system and we love to discover mushrooms growing from the dead wood and forest floor, choosing to leave them be to do their thing.

Read this if you're interested, look, and leave the little 'shrooms where you find them because next year there will be more to marvel at 🍄💚

https://peterkindfieldphd.substack.com/p/fungi-mushrooms-and-the-mycelial?r=21fkb0&fbclid=IwY2xjawNYPvNleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHsV5ei-u0vGiWkuFSEKcTa7HWFLFZOSdNsB7bIpV3fuZv3mHbIU6yoRYpt1L_aem__MMRkS2xOFHhB_6vZ1HvDg

Explorations in Ecology: Playful Science-Rich Outdoor Activities for Children and Their Adults

14/10/2025

Save the date! December 21 from 3 - 5pm in the car park at Scabetti, Leek. Join us and dance into the solstice with Drum 'n' Bass Badgers.

Advent Celebrations

Advent Celebrations set out to build on the success of 24 Doors. This year celebrations are self-organised and built out of the kindness and generosity of people in Leek. Expect a relaxed feel with over 28 separate things happening at various times and locations throughout December with a strong community feel.

Expect street performance, drama, dance and singing. Enjoy crafting and tree decorating. Look forward to a DJ set, Nativi-Tea, Gifting points, sound and light installation and guided walks.

Some things happening are just for teens, others for babies, toddlers and young children. Rest assured there is plenty of stuff happening that everyone will enjoy. It's all topped off with Christmas Eve Carols.

Full details of events and activities will be published on 21 November. There is a chance you'll know someone who is planning something in your neighbourhood so if you like to get excited for festivities early don't let us stop you - spread the word!