Hakeford Woods
Forest School
CIC
Hakeford Woods Forest School is a social enterprise based at a beautiful woodland site only ten minutes from Barnstaple. We run ongoing programmes for students from local schools, community groups and individuals. Activities and programmes can be organised for all ages and abilities.
More about us
Click the image above for more information
Recent News October 2022
It's been a while since I've updated and I'll be doing a full one soon. In the meantime:
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Regular Forest School sessions for young people attending specialist provision schools in North Devon
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Weekly Sessions for Home Educated children with Iona
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Wellbeing in Nature Sessions every Thursday for adults struggling with mental health and social isolation
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Whittling and Spoon carving courses for the Devon Recovery Learning Community
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Volunteering days delivered with Cheryl
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Camp refurbishments including the newly improved roundhouse and facilities and a new main base camp shelter
Support Received: We have been lucky enough to receive support in the form of financial and physical assistance in recent months. see more
If you'd like to see more regular updates and photos from the woods, please follow us on facebook, twitter and instagram.
About Forest School
"Forest School is an inspirational concept providing learning opportunities through practical activities in an outdoor environment. Participants of all ages will be given opportunities to enjoy the freedom to explore the natural world in all seasons and in all weathers."
Seasonal updates
The first signs of spring are showing themselves with the hazel catkins opening, the primroses starting to appear and the snowdrops near the carpark are spectacular as always. The birds are getting noisier and we've had some amazingly warm days for February which have woken the bees from their winter slumber
Recent Animal spots
Squirrels, fox, shrews, deer, badgers and rabbits.
Recent Bird spots
Wrens, goldfinches, Jays, Ravens, Buzzards, Great tits, Wagtails, Pigeons, greater spotted woodpecker and green woodpecker, woodcocks, treecreepers, robins, goldcrests, willow tits
Our Vision
Our vision is that all children and adults will have the opportunity to experience the significant benefits that can be brought by spending time in the natural environment.
We are extremely fortunate to have permanent access to our beautiful Forest School site. Working with local schools and community organisations we are providing opportunities for individuals and groups of all ages and backgrounds to take part in a variety of activities and experience our fantastic natural environment.
Our Forest School offers a variety of opportunities for schools, clubs, community groups and individuals to take part in educational tasks, fun activities and conservation work.
Safeguarding
Hakeford Woods Forest School is committed to Safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all children and adults attending our programmes. We expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.
Safeguarding and Child Protection at Hakeford Woods Forest School
Sessions
Since opening in the summer of 2015 we have run a variety of different sessions.
Over the next few months we will be running different sessions for local schools, community groups, families and parents with young children.
Clients
We are currently working with students from an Alternative Provision school in North Devon. We are also running weekly Wellbeing sessions for adults with mental health difficulties and weekly sessions for children who are home educated.
Testimonials
"I really liked everything about Forest School. It was fun and my favourite bit was lighting fires"
Our Instagram Feed
Site Updates
Since our last update we have been running regular sessions in the woods for several local schools and finding out the changes that need to be made to enhance the site. Our regular base camp is well loved, but to give us more options we hope to complete and develop a few different areas of the site in the next few months.
What Next?
With the site development, we are looking forward to getting Hakeford Woods to a point where we can have more groups on site at a time. This will enable us to continue our long term work with children struggling in education, as well as providing additional opportunities for other children, families and adults who could benefit from what we are able to offer.
Supporters
We are very grateful to the following organisations for their support :
