Greenwood Growth CIC Forest School

21/12/2025

Thank you everyone who joined us to dance into the dark on the Winter Solstice. We welcomed around 60 people over the evening, many of whom did not stop dancing. We do this because it provides a chance to welcome people to something unexpected, uplifting and joyful. It also provides time and space for people to pause, reconnect with one another through music and have fun. Part of the Samaritans Light it Green Campaign we gifted small green tealights to participants and passers-by.

With huge thanks to Scabetti for lending us the space, local residents, Leek Town Council for Lighting the Monument green, our team who volunteered their time to make this happen and Advent Celebrations for running in our community in 2025.

21/12/2025

Join us for a live DJ set this afternoon from Scabetti between 3 - 5pm. Dress in black and white if you like for Drum n Bass Badgers. All welcome.

18/12/2025

Today our busy little toddler group has its Christmas party! We chilled out in hammocks, searched for Badgers, ate load of food and jumped in puddles. This group is an absolute highlight of our week. Thank you everyone for joining, you've become a total joy to spend time with.

16/12/2025

SO excited for Winter taking place from Horton St Michael's CE First School & Nursery, Rudyard for four half days over the school Christmas holidays.

This year we welcome performative story-teller Rory Blessingham to the woods. Rory works with New Vic Borderlines and we think his creative practice will be a lot of fun in the woods alongside Ros and Bee. You can read more about Rory and his work here: https://www.newvictheatre.org.uk/neurodiversity-celebration-week-freelance-borderlines-community-practitioner-rory-talks-about-his-experience-working-in-the-arts/

Book the last few places via https://eequ.org/book/greenwood-growth-winter-forest-fun-with-greenwood-growth-cic-21682

OUTSIDE

Next Monday marks the first of Greenwood Growth CIC Forest School's 'Winter Forest Camp' sessions at Horton St Michael's CE First School! 😊

If you come along, you'll be getting to know how to use the woods responsibly for fun, exercise and creativity! You'll work with an artist, play games/activities, and learn how to use fire to cook healthy food, prepared in the forest. 🌲🍽️

When:
Monday 22nd December, 9am-1pm
Tuesday 23rd December, 9am-1pm
Monday 28th December, 9am-1pm
Tuesday 29th December, 9am-1pm

Where:
Horton St Michael's CE First School & Nursery, Rudyard, ST13 8RU

This is ideally for those aged between 5 and 16 years old.

For more information & to book your places (free HAF places are available to those eligible): https://outsidearts.org/events/waymaking-for-kids-dec/

11/12/2025

In this picture, Anne, our volunteer, is crouching down catching sawdust for a young child who is fascinated by the sprinkles that fall from wood when cutting using a bowsaw. This mattered so much today to the child who looked at how much there was before disappearing off into the woods to play. It made Anne happy too.

Today was a wonderful day to be outside. Blue skies, fresh air, playfulness. Three fantastic groups enjoying the wonder of the woods in winter.

We asked all of the groups how they wanted to spend the last session before the Christmas holidays, expecting jingles bells all the way. Instead we have, from toddlers: "prepare to be obliterated and come with all of your ammo defense clothing on because we are going to chase you!" and from Alternative Provision "macaroni cheese please" and from Horton, "we want to play!"

11/12/2025

Join us for our lovely toddlers group at Horton St Michael's CE First School & Nursery, Rudyard this morning. 10am, for playing the festive Forest School way. If you've never been before your first session is free and a warm welcome awaits.

10/12/2025

Our nurture group at Tittesworth have been making little candles today ready for the longest night. A beautiful way to keep fingers warm and busy in the woods.

09/12/2025

Waymaking for kids is back! 🎉

This December at Horton St Michael's CE First School we'll be getting to know how to use the woods responsibly with Greenwood Growth for fun, exercise and creativity! 🌳

You'll work with an artist, play games/activities, and learn how to use fire to cook healthy food, prepared in the forest. 🍽️

When:
Monday 22nd December, 9am-1pm
Tuesday 23rd December, 9am-1pm
Monday 28th December, 9am-1pm
Tuesday 29th December, 9am-1pm

Where:
Horton St Michael's First School, Rudyard, ST13 8RU

This is ideally for those aged between 5 and 16 years old.

For more information & to book your places (free HAF places are available to those eligible): https://outsidearts.org/events/waymaking-for-kids-dec/

08/12/2025

Thank you everyone who supports us using easyfundraising.org.uk. We had new donations this week. Every penny makes a difference so we love it when you choose us.

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04/12/2025

Celebrating the young children who ran into the woods this morning for their first properly wet Forest School session of 2025. This year when we've had very heavy rain it's come with very high winds and in the 12th month of the year I can honestly say we haven't had a wall to wall rainy session. We did this morning, though this didn't stop play. The little ones scurried about finding acorn shells, next years leaf buds and hiding bugs. We also discovered a mouse house in the shed and a less than convincing reindeer (must try harder next week).