The Green Equation Forest School
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 6–14. Our forest school blends science, nature, creativity and wellbeing in a supportive outdoor environment, giving young people the time, space and freedom to explore, build confidence, make friends and fall in love with learning again.
Your child can explore, develop independence, build confidence, and reconnect with nature. The Green Equation Forest School offers meaningful outdoor experiences that help young people thrive beyond the classroom.
Wednesdays (Home Ed Only)
10:30 - 1:30pm
Saturdays from
1:30pm – 4:00pm
£15 per session
Ages 6 - 14 years
10 participants maximum
To ensure safety, quality and meaningful engagement.
Realistic Outdoor Learning
This unique site allows young people to experience genuine outdoor learning, not just “outdoor play”, in a safe and well-managed natural environment.
- Fire pit for campfire activities and cooking
- Compost toilet
- Wood store
- Tarpaulin shelter
- Open and sheltered seating
- Stream access
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. Rather than being directed at every step, young people are encouraged to make choices, reflect on challenges, and learn through doing. For older learners, this approach is especially powerful in developing:
•Resilience
•Problem-solving skills
•Leadership
•Self-confidence
•Responsibility
•Teamwork
Who Leads the Sessions?
Sessions are led by Lizzie and Andy from McScience CIC, who hold
•Enhanced DBS checks
•First Aid certification
•Safeguarding certification
•Public Liability Insurance
•Clear risk assessments for all activities
Your child’s safety and well-being are our top priorities. Activities are risk-assessed and carefully supervised, with young people supported to take appropriate, confidence-building risks in a controlled, nurturing environment. Children are supported to explore safely, with boundaries that keep them secure while still allowing them to take part in exciting, confidence-building activities.
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 the space to think, reset, and grow, building confidence, independence, resilience, and a strong connection to the world around them. At The Green Equation Forest School, we’re not just teaching outdoor skills, we’re supporting young people’s mental wellbeing, confidence, independence and sense of belonging. We bring McScience’s values of curiosity, critical thinking and discovery into the forest school setting.
Why forest school?
Forest school isn’t about worksheets or sitting still; it’s about learning through doing. For many children, especially those who struggle in traditional classroom environments, forest school can be a space where they truly thrive.
Children benefit from:
•Improved confidence and self-esteem
•Better emotional well-being
•Stronger social skills
•Increased curiosity about the world
•A deeper connection to nature
•Learning that feels fun, meaningful and memorable
Learn Through Curiosity
Children are encouraged to ask questions, test ideas, explore how things work in nature and link what they see outdoors to real science and the wider world. Alongside this, older learners will also take part in more independent, skill-based activities, including:
•Building 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 in a supportive and inclusive environment.
What happens during sessions?
Every session is different, but children can expect a rich mix of outdoor exploration, practical skills, science-in-nature activities, and creative play. We focus on giving children the freedom to explore while gently guiding them through meaningful learning experiences. Across sessions, your child may:
•Explore the outdoors, discover woodland habitats, plants and animals
•Learn about ecosystems, conservation and caring for nature
•Observe seasonal changes and wildlife in real life
•Take part in mini “field science” investigations
•Learn simple tool skills (age-appropriate and supervised)
•Build shelters, dens or simple rope structures
•Try knot tying, teamwork challenges and problem-solving tasks
•Take part in bushcraft-style activities in a safe, supportive way
•Create nature art using natural materials
•Take part in storytelling, creative challenges and imagination games
•Build models, structures or small projects inspired by the outdoors
•Grow confidence & social skills, working together in small groups
•Build communication, leadership and teamwork skills
•Develop independence and resilience
•Take healthy risks in a controlled environment
Location and Setting
Sessions take place at Oak Reach in Plympton, Plymouth, using a dedicated outdoor learning area.
Parking is Free on Wolverwood Lane, and you will take a brief walk up Ridge Road, and straight away the entrance will be on the left where you will meet our Staff.
Address:
Oak Reach, Plympton,
Plymouth, PL7 1PD.
Nearest bus stop:
Cherry Park
(CityBus 21/21A)