To book, go to our Facebook page and find the event.
The Green Equation Forest School is an outdoor learning programme from McScience CIC, designed to support confidence, independence, wellbeing, and practical skills in young people aged 8-16.
Sessions run on Saturdays from 1:30pm–3.30pm and are led by Lizzie and Andy, who hold enhanced DBS checks, First Aid and Safeguarding certification, and Public Liability Insurance. Sessions last 2 hours, cost £15 per young person, and are capped at 20 participants to ensure safety, quality, and meaningful engagement. The first six sessions are exclusively for home-educated young people.
Sessions take place at Poole Farm in Leigham, Plymouth, using a dedicated outdoor area known as Ash, located beside the beaver enclosure. The site includes a fire pit, compost toilet, wood store, tarpaulin shelter, open and sheltered seating, and stream access, providing a realistic and engaging outdoor learning environment.
What is Forest School?
Forest School is a learner-led, long-term approach that supports personal development through hands-on experiences, exploration, and supported risk-taking in a natural environment. For older learners, this approach builds resilience, problem-solving, leadership, and self-confidence, while encouraging responsibility and teamwork.
What happens during sessions?
Young people will take part in more independent, skill-based activities, including:
Building advanced shelters and woodland structures
Using tools safely for woodcraft, bows and arrows, and practical builds
Fire lighting, cooking on the campfire, and using Kelly kettles
Coppicing, path making, and stream management
Wildlife and conservation tasks, including species identification
Team challenges, strategy games, and leadership activities
Creative work using clay, willow, and natural materials
Reflective discussions focused on emotions, resilience, and confidence
Sessions encourage young people to challenge themselves, take appropriate responsibility, and develop practical life skills while working alongside peers.
Why we do what we do
The teenage years can be mentally demanding, and time in nature provides a powerful counterbalance. Outdoor learning has been shown to reduce stress, improve focus, and support emotional regulation. Being in a natural environment allows young people space to think, reset, and grow—building confidence, independence, and a strong connection to the world around them.
