Kenning Park Community Forest School

Kenning Park Community Forest School began with a tarp, a packed lunch, and a deep belief that every child deserves the freedom to explore, learn, and grow in nature—regardless of their background or ability.

Founded in 2018 by Michaela and Chris Garner, home-educating parents seeking inclusive, affordable outdoor learning for our neurodivergent children, our Forest School started as a grassroots gathering of local families. We quickly grew into a vital support network for those seeking connection, education, and well-being through nature. With no rigid timetables, age-based groups, or pressure to perform, our sessions have always centred on child-led play, family learning, and gentle encouragement.

As our group developed, so did our vision. Supported by Clay Cross Parish Council and driven by a passion for making outdoor education accessible, we transformed a quiet corner of our local park into a thriving woodland learning space. 

Inspired by the growing needs of our older children, we introduced bush craft to our programme—thanks to training and ongoing support from Jason Ingamells and the Woodland Ways team. What began as a search for skills quickly became something much bigger: a community movement rooted in resilience, creativity, and empowerment.

Today, we deliver a wide range of inclusive outdoor sessions, from preschool forest play to green prescribing for adults. We collaborate with organisations and offer volunteering pathways for local young people.

Our work is grounded in a simple, powerful idea: Nature is for everyone. With the continued support of our partners and the dedication of our small team, we're proud to make that vision a reality—one session, one family, one spark of curiosity at a time.