About us

Chichester Forest Schools C.I.C.

Rachel Maynard Director/Forest School Leader.

Level 3 Forest School Leader with over 5 years experience running forest school programmes and many years experience in scouting. Trained to deliver the John Muirs Award. Level 3 OCN working with young people with challenging out door behaviour outdoors. Youth mental health first aider. Therapeutic Forest Approved Practitioner

Julia Shepherd Director/Forest School Leader

Julia is level 3 Forest School Leader with 5 years experience and over 10 years as a qualified teacher working for Chichester College. Julia worked for many years in the outdoor adventure industry. Trained to deliver John Muirs Award and completing training in out door behaviour management.Youth Mental Health First Aider.

Emma Wiles

Emma is an experienced Level 3 Forest School Leader with a foundation degree in Play therapy and has many years experience working with young people and play work. Emma leads our Babes in the woods and Owls Home Education Group

Ed Johnson

Ed is a level 3 Forest School Leader who has a wealth of experience as an Outdoor Activities Instructor. Outdoor and paediatric First Aid trained. Ed leads our Dangerous Dads Weekend sessions.

All staff lead forest school programmes, have enhanced DBS checks, Food Hygiene Level 2 and Outdoor First Aid training.

Our Blog

Our Childrens Summer Holiday Woodland Sessions are now selling! for ages 5-11yrs and 11-14yrs

We are looking forward to some wonderful “Go Wild” holiday sessions in 3 locations; Brandy Hole Copse, Fishbourne Secret Garden and Kingley Vale. Led by our amazing forest school team we will give your children a wonderful afternoon of woodland play and adventure. They will come home happy and relaxed after a day playing in […]

Zoom recording – Supporting the transition back to school Parent wellbeing session 6

Our psychologist and life coach Helen Neary joins Rachel Maynard, Therapeutic Forest School Leader to offer lots tips and helpful advice to support our children and teenagers with a smooth return back to school after lockdown. Zoom link Topic: The Nature of lockdownStart Time : Mar 4, 2021 07:48 PM Meeting Recording:https://us02web.zoom.us/rec/share/XW-KG1liDbSnU795hv5uyVr2WMZo0FOdThDuA_GzZwKaN_zcog5OV0rr234DuwFs.UbbfGEYI0F2Wj8DE

Parents wellbeing

Being a parent of a child with mental health difficulties is a tough place to be. Getting the right and timely support for your child is a challenge with services so stretched. Parents report feeling isolated, alone, confused as to how to support their child and also cope with the impact of mental illness on […]