Wise Oak Forest School

What is Family Forest Play? This 2 hour session brings families of all ages together in a woodland for open-ended good old-fashioned free play. Some families like to play as a family unit, some children go off and explore alone or with other children and some families join other families in their quests to have fun. Either way it's the perfect way to have children lead the play. Sometimes we climb, make clay, swing, explore. Some times we set off to do one thing but another thing takes our fancy and that's OK. We provide ropes, cords, tarps, hammocks, woodland ID charts, activity guide sheets and access to the brook to help you play but those are not always necessary to enjoy your time. Towards the end of our session, we come together to toast marshmallows over the campfire and share what we have enjoyed. We also like to share ideas for future visits. At the moment, we don't have any toilet facilities. Please take the time to read the Terms and Conditions of this Event.

This club is for young people age 5-16 who love the outdoors. Set in a private 6 acre woodland in Ashton in Makerfield, Wigan. Wise Oak Forest School Holiday Club is a place where children connect, not only with people but with nature too. There's time for free play and exploration. Time for creativity and acquiring new skills. It's a place were children feel heard and valued as part of a community. It's a place where laughter can be heard from all around. Our day begins at the log circle, where we meet each other and find out what we have in common. We discuss our ideas for the day and make plans to fit it in. We agree on ways to be safe in our environment and go over our essential safety elements. Our environment lends itself to an array of activities, such as: bushcraft, nature exploration, artwork, rope craft, den building, hammock hanging, water exploration and bug/bird/squirrel/fungi hunting. Activities involving tools are delivered and supervised by trained Forest School leaders but most other activities are designed to be self lead and open ended to allow for problem solving, critical thinking and creativity. We are huge believers of play being a powerful catalyst in cognitive, social, physical and emotional growth. Therefore play is always an option and adult led activities are free choice. For your child to make the most of their day with us, send them in wearing... warm layers, including sock layers, waterproof trousers (or snow pants below 5-8 degrees), waterproof jacket, wellies, In their back pack... hats, snoods and gloves (Feb and Easter half term) spare warm layers spare socks possibly a change of shoes (We have a brook that children love to play in and can sometimes end up filling their wellies) summer hats to shade eyes (and sun cream applied before arrival in sunnier/ hotter months) Campfire snacks will be provided however children are welcome to bring their own too. (We ask about dietary requirements on the booking form.) They will also need to bring their packed lunch and drinks, labelled with their names. We get so many with the same bottles. Plus anything that will support them in their enjoyment with us. All we ask is no devices please. Mud and electronics to not mix well. Holiday Club is ran by a qualified teacher, Forest School leader, WILD Passport practitioner and Outdoor First Aider. Additional staff are DBS checked and also first aid trained with experience of working with children either through schools or youth groups. How to find our exact location is sent to you in a separate e-mail from your booking confirmation so please keep an eye out for that. Please see our Ts and Cs for further information.

A 3 DAY WOODLAND ADVENTURE PROGRAMME FOR THOSE BEGINNING THEIR HIGH SCHOOL JOURNEY IN ASHTON Starting high school is an exciting milestone, but for many young people it can also bring worries about making new friends, fitting in, finding their way around, and coping with new challenges. Roots & Wings has been specially designed to help young people step into Year 7 with confidence, resilience, and a sense of adventure. Over three action-packed days in the woodland, children will take part in a range of Forest School experiences that encourage teamwork, independence, problem-solving, and self-belief. Through shared adventures and achievable challenges, participants will have the opportunity to build friendships, develop resilience, and discover strengths they can carry with them for their next adventures. What to Expect: 🏹 Archery 🔥 Fire craft & campfire cooking 🌲 Bushcraft with tool use 🏕️ Shelter building and hammock hanging 🤝 Games & challenges 🌿 Wellbeing moments Children will gain: ⭐New peer connections ⭐Knowledge and skills in survival ⭐Greater confidence and self-esteem ⭐Improved communication and collaboration Our experienced Forest School and Outdoor leaders create a safe, supportive environment where children can take positive risks, try new things, and celebrate their achievements. Who Is It For? Roots & Wings is designed for young people who will be starting secondary school in September 2026. Whether they are excited, nervous, shy, adventurous, or somewhere in between, this programme offers a fantastic opportunity to prepare for the next chapter while having fun outdoors. Programme Details 📅 Dates: 4th, 5th & 6th August 2026 ⏰ Time: 10:00am – 4:00pm each day 📍 Location: Wise Oak Forest School, Skitters Woods behind RL Hughes Primary School, Ashton in Makerfield, Wigan 👧🧒 Age Group: Young people entering Year 7 in September 2026 Join Us Give your child the opportunity to begin their high school journey feeling capable, connected, and ready for adventure. Roots & Wings Strong roots. Brave wings. New adventures ahead. 🌿🦅

A 3 DAY WOODLAND ADVENTURE PROGRAMME FOR THOSE BEGINNING THEIR HIGH SCHOOL JOURNEY IN ASHTON Starting high school is an exciting milestone, but for many young people it can also bring worries about making new friends, fitting in, finding their way around, and coping with new challenges. Roots & Wings has been specially designed to help young people step into Year 7 with confidence, resilience, and a sense of adventure. Over three action-packed days in the woodland, children will take part in a range of Forest School experiences that encourage teamwork, independence, problem-solving, and self-belief. Through shared adventures and achievable challenges, participants will have the opportunity to build friendships, develop resilience, and discover strengths they can carry with them for their next adventures. What to Expect: 🏹 Archery 🔥 Fire craft & campfire cooking 🌲 Bushcraft with tool use 🏕️ Shelter building and hammock hanging 🤝 Games & challenges 🌿 Wellbeing moments Children will gain: ⭐New peer connections ⭐Knowledge and skills in survival ⭐Greater confidence and self-esteem ⭐Improved communication and collaboration Our experienced Forest School and Outdoor leaders create a safe, supportive environment where children can take positive risks, try new things, and celebrate their achievements. Who Is It For? Roots & Wings is designed for young people who will be starting secondary school in September 2026. Whether they are excited, nervous, shy, adventurous, or somewhere in between, this programme offers a fantastic opportunity to prepare for the next chapter while having fun outdoors. Programme Details 📅 Dates: 11th, 12th & 13th August 2026 ⏰ Time: 10:00am – 4:00pm each day 📍 Location: Wise Oak Forest School, Skitters Woods behind RL Hughes Primary School, Ashton in Makerfield, Wigan 👧🧒 Age Group: Young people entering Year 7 in September 2026 Join Us Give your child the opportunity to begin their high school journey feeling capable, connected, and ready for adventure. Roots & Wings Strong roots. Brave wings. New adventures ahead. 🌿🦅

A 3 DAY WOODLAND ADVENTURE PROGRAMME FOR THOSE BEGINNING THEIR HIGH SCHOOL JOURNEY IN ASHTON Starting high school is an exciting milestone, but for many young people it can also bring worries about making new friends, fitting in, finding their way around, and coping with new challenges. Roots & Wings has been specially designed to help young people step into Year 7 with confidence, resilience, and a sense of adventure. Over three action-packed days in the woodland, children will take part in a range of Forest School experiences that encourage teamwork, independence, problem-solving, and self-belief. Through shared adventures and achievable challenges, participants will have the opportunity to build friendships, develop resilience, and discover strengths they can carry with them for their next adventures. What to Expect: 🏹 Archery 🔥 Fire craft & campfire cooking 🌲 Bushcraft with tool use 🏕️ Shelter building and hammock hanging 🤝 Games & challenges 🌿 Wellbeing moments Children will gain: ⭐New peer connections ⭐Knowledge and skills in survival ⭐Greater confidence and self-esteem ⭐Improved communication and collaboration Our experienced Forest School and Outdoor leaders create a safe, supportive environment where children can take positive risks, try new things, and celebrate their achievements. Who Is It For? Roots & Wings is designed for young people who will be starting secondary school in September 2026. Whether they are excited, nervous, shy, adventurous, or somewhere in between, this programme offers a fantastic opportunity to prepare for the next chapter while having fun outdoors. Programme Details 📅 Dates: 18th, 19th & 20th August 2026 ⏰ Time: 10:00am – 4:00pm each day 📍 Location: Wise Oak Forest School, Skitters Woods behind RL Hughes Primary School, Ashton in Makerfield, Wigan 👧🧒 Age Group: Young people entering Year 7 in September 2026 Join Us Give your child the opportunity to begin their high school journey feeling capable, connected, and ready for adventure. Roots & Wings Strong roots. Brave wings. New adventures ahead. 🌿🦅

This event is to join a waiting list for a learning community opening up in Ashton-in-Makerfield, Wigan. Founded by Karen Williams, teacher and Forest School leader looking to enrich children's lives at their pace. It is a community for those who have chosen to deregister and home educate and are looking for a space of community for learning to come together through experiences and projects. It's a privately run community so there will be a cost to cover staffing and overheads. But we will have dedicated, talented facilitators in music, arts, languages and more with an outside area to access Forest School type experiences. We want children to feel comfortable in themselves and know that the learning journey they choose is their own. Self directed education has a plethora of benefits. Copy and paste into your browser Peter Gray's Ted Talk on how self-directed education looks https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3g1zlU5vbMk We currently propose Tuesdays, 9.30am - 3pm, 36 weeks per year, supporting the home education provided by parents for children age 8-15. Cost to be confirmed. Join the list for more information. No commitment at this stage.