Wise Oak Forest School

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.

🏹 Escape into nature and discover the thrill of archery in our beautiful 8-acre mature woodland. Whether you're a complete beginner or have picked up a bow before, our small-group sessions provide expert tuition in a relaxed woodland setting. Session Information 📍 Location Skitters Woods Ashton-in-Makerfield, Wigan The exact meeting point and access instructions will be sent in your booking confirmation. ⏱ Duration One and a half hours 👥 Group Size Up to 4 participants 🎯 Age Suitable for ages 8 years and over 🏹 Experience Level No previous experience necessary ✅ Instructor Every session is delivered by a fully qualified archery instructor, ensuring a safe, enjoyable and engaging experience for everyone. What's Included ✔ Professional instruction throughout the session ✔ All archery equipment provided ✔ Safety briefing before shooting begins ✔ Individual coaching and guidance ✔ Fun target challenges and games ✔ A unique woodland setting surrounded by nature What You'll Experience Learn the fundamentals of archery while enjoying the tranquillity of the forest. You'll discover: Safe bow handling Correct shooting technique Accuracy and consistency Confidence-building challenges Plenty of opportunities to practise your new skills What to Wear As sessions take place entirely outdoors in our woodland, please come prepared. We recommend: 🥾 Sturdy, closed-toe footwear with good grip (essential due to uneven woodland terrain) 👖 Comfortable outdoor clothing suitable for the weather 🧥 Waterproof clothing if rain is forecast Please avoid sandals or open-toed shoes. Important Information Children aged 8–17 years must be accompanied by a participating or supervising adult. Sessions operate in most weather conditions unless it is unsafe to do so. If severe weather requires cancellation, you will be offered an alternative date. Why Choose Our Woodland Archery? 🌲 Beautiful mature woodland setting 🏹 Small groups for personalised coaching 👨‍🏫 Qualified and experienced instructor 👨‍👩‍👧 Ideal for families and friends 🌿 Relaxed outdoor experience away from busy venues Ready to Take Aim? Join us for an unforgettable woodland archery experience in the heart of nature. Book your session today to secure your preferred date. Questions? If you have any questions please feel to contact us, we'd be happy to help.

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 All held in a private woodland in Ashton in Makerfield and led by local experts in the field of Outdoor Adventure, Forest School and Archery. We have Karen, founder of Wise Oak Forest School, Ginge former owner of Tread UK and Army Veteran and Jenny and Michelle from Nomad Rangers. Children will gain: ⭐New peer connections ⭐Knowledge and skills in survival ⭐Greater confidence and self-esteem ⭐Improved communication and collaboration ⭐ A summer to remember and share together 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 (S.E.A new starters) ⏰ 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. 🌿🦅 Have children in other age brackets? Check out our Facebook page to see what other events we host. Wise Oak Forest School, https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61571485725506 OR our Instagram page: wiseoakforestschool

We invite you to join us in setting up camp for a few hours to relax and feast in our beautiful mature private woodland in Ashton. Upon arrival you will be given your own area with a fire pit, fire wood and fire starting and extinguishing equipment. You will have a grill, cooking tools, plates and cutlery. Your family hamper will include three hammocks, a tarp shelter, a couple of fishing nets and some tree identification guides. All you have to do is bring the food you wish to cook, drinks and snacks. Also, please feel free to bring camping chairs, books or anything else you think will help you make the most of your time with us. There will be no more than three family areas in use at any one time. One for our family, and two open for booking. If you would like to book the entire area for a private family gathering, please e-mail us on wiseoakfs@outlook.com If you would like to add archery to your booking please highlight this on your booking form. Our trained archer will give you lessons in it, then you can access your board at anytime throughout your visit. This will cost £30 extra for the family of over 8 years old. On site we have hand wash facilities and a camping toilet. There are no shops. If the weather is deemed too dangerous for us to be in the woodland, we will reschedule to your preferred date or refund if we can't find a suitable date. We are about a 10 minute walk from where your car is parked.

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.