Transitional Learning Programme

Specialist outdoor learning programmes to support students' social and emotional development.

“Overall, studies of transitional learning programmes consistently show positive benefits on academic learning, and wider outcomes such as self-confidence. On average, pupils who participate in adventure learning interventions appear to make approximately three months’ additional progress over the course of a year. The evidence suggests that the impact is greater for longer courses (more than a week), and those in a ‘wilderness’ setting.” Educational Endowment Foundation.

Forest School sessions and outdoor transitional learning can help learners re-engage by improving mental health, self-confidence, resilience, and self-esteem. It is also proven to build and maintain positive relationships with peers, social groups and trusted adults. We have found that learners gain an ability to access, understand, and appropriately display feelings. Learners also develop coping strategies for behaviour and learning.

Over the last 5 years we have built and continue to maintain an eminent reputation for supporting learners from primary to post-16; who have struggled, or are struggling with, educational engagement.

We have a highly experienced and qualified team of forest school workers, who liaise closely with the Local Authority, schools, parents and carers to ensure integrated support for each of our learners. Throughout our transitional programmes we work on matching learners and staff appropriately, developing and achieving bespoke, key targets for learners and supporting the social and emotional development of learners, with the aim of eventual reintegration into learning environments.

We promise Transitional Learning Students:

That all students will have a bespoke one to one session based on learners’ interests and needs.
That all of our TLP team are passionate using the natural environment to enable learning and growth.
That all of our sessions provide the opportunity for social and emotional outcomes in order for them to reengage in education.
That all staff are suitable, highly skilled and passionate with a broad range of specialist qualifications and experience.
To always have a qualified first aider on-site.
To provide the best toilets in the woods!

where do sessions take place?

TLP sessions operate from sites all over Devon and Somerset which can be found at:

Dawlish Water
Dotton Common (near Sidmouth)
Okehampton
Escot
Aldridge Mill (near Tiverton)
Exmouth
Wellington

Our Transitional Programme Staff

Our team of Transitional Programme Workers are all DBS checked, first aid certified for outdoor learning, and fully qualified and experienced to work with vulnerable learners in the outdoors. Our staff place the wellbeing and positive development of each learner as a priority in every session and, as a company, we are fully compliant with current legislation including data protection, safeguarding, equality and diversity and child protection.

The Outdoors Group is aware of the vulnerabilities of learners using our services and the need to help protect them. We also know the importance of effective communication with schools and have excellent systems in place to ensure this works well for all involved, including contributing to the Team Around the Family (TAF).

Nigel Stanley

Head of Alternative Outdoor Provision and Designated Safeguarding Lead

Nigel has previously worked in the FE sector in both vocational & Apprenticeship pathways as a tutor & head of department, his background is in outdoor learning and sport. Outside of work he enjoys spending time outdoors & being out on the water

Seamo Teare

Therapeutic Lead

Seamo is a qualified Forest School Leader and specialises in Autism, Neurodiversity, sensory differences and pathological demand avoidance. Seamo brings a depth of SEN knowledge and practical skills to the Outdoors Group.

Jake Ward

Deputy Head of Alternative Outdoor Provision & Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead

Jake has been with the Outdoors Group for several years, running Home Education groups, teen groups, working with visiting schools and setting up and facilitating after school clubs. It was a natural move over to TLP where he wants to bring his love of nature and outdoor learning to our learners. Jake is a Level 4 qualified Bushcraft Instructor and enjoys archery, rugby, practicing primitive technology skills alongside all things connected with natural history.

Linda Stephenson

AOP Administrator

As the Alternative Outdoor Provision Administrator, Linda aims to keep the provision running smoothly and to help you with whatever query you have. She has been working in and around education for more than 20 years, in several different countries including the UK, Poland, Spain and Colombia. In her free time, Linda is happiest when baking or working on a creative project.

Martin Aplin

AOP Site Lead Dotton Common

Martin manages the setting at Dotton Common and has a real passion working with children in the great outdoors and coined the phrase “green time not screen time”. On leaving school Martin trained as a butcher and went on to have a successful career before he took a career break to be a full-time Dad to Henry. Martin started his journey into Forest School attending the Exmouth toddler group with Nick. He loved it so much that when Henry started school, Martin stayed and went on to host birthday parties at Exmouth. He has since completed his Forest Leader training and Bushcraft skills course. In his spare time Martin is an avid Exeter Chiefs fan and loves spending time with the family on their paddleboards.

Gemma Meredith-Chapman

AOP 1:1 Support Worker

Gemma works as a 1:1 support worker for the Alternative Outdoor Provision. She loves being out in nature and seeing how it can bring out the best in everyone. Gemma is currently studying for her Forest School Level 3 and volunteers as a Beaver Scout leader. In her spare time she loves to read, sing and spend time with her family.

Jayan Holleran

AOP 1:1 Support Worker

Jay works within the Alternative Outdoor Provision to provide 1:1 support by inspiring and exploring the diversity of nature with our learners. Jay is from a wood-working background and is currently trainin as a well-being therapist. She is very enthusiastic and loves the wilderness! In her spare time, Jay takes part in a wide range of activities including surfing, rock-climbing, camping, mountain biking, music, and has a passion for getting involved in new projects.

Harmony Massey

AOP 1:1 Support Worker

Harmony works as part of the AOP team. She has a degree in sociology and focused her studies on child development. Harmony has a strong passion for nature and believes it is a brilliant therapy for everyone! She has previously worked outdoors in New Zealand and the Cairngorms. Harmony enjoys hiking, climbing, and foraging, you will often find her stuck in a fantasy book or out in her camper van drinking coffee.

Euan Evans

AOP 1:1 Support Worker

Euan works as a 1:1 support worker for the Alternative Outdoor Provision. Euan has a true passion for the outdoors and can often be found gallivanting across the moors or through a patch of woodland. He has a background in arboriculture and uses these transferable skills whilst working with our learners. In his free time, Euan enjoys listening to music, reading and walking.

Gary Cargill

Alternative Outdoor Provision 1:1 Support Worker

Gary works in AOP helping children with behavioural and special needs to learn new skills and provides them with a safe environment in which they can grow. He previously worked in outdoors activities teaching kids rock-climbing, kayaking, archery and other outdoors pursuits. Gary loves anything outdoors and has a real interest in self sufficiency, so he enjoys making things from carving to jam making and taking his family out on walks to see what they can forage.

Ben Seward

Site Lead AOP Escot

Ben works in the Alternative Outdoor Provision providing 1:1 support for our learners. He has worked in outdoor education and pursuits for 5 years and strongly believes in the value of nature as a place for development and discovery. Ben enjoys music, kayaking and mountain biking.

“We came to the TLP shortly after H’s placement in a mainstream school had broken down.

He had severe separation anxiety, social anxiety, and refused to engage with any sort of formal placement as well as all the challenges inherent in being autistic.

H has been a part of the TLP for two years now and it has far surpassed our expectations. He has been cared for and accepted for who he is. He has been gently supported, while at the same time being stretched and encouraged to build relationships with staff and other students. When he comes out of the forest now, he chats about who he has spent time with, what he has done with his day, and even knows his new friends’ names! H has doubled the amount of time he spends in the forest and will even eat there (a huge achievement for H and the staff supporting him!).

“Forest school has had such an amazing positive impact on J and has helped him to learn to regulate himself better. He loves being here and spending time with Bubs. He has been trying harder at school and this is shown by reports sent by the school. He has also earned his bronze award for good behaviour.

I am hoping that he will get to spend more time at forest school and get at least another term.”

“You have worked tremendously well for R and this has in turn helped increase his engagement levels at school, we have seen a marked improvement in him over the last 12 months. I think with his transition to KS3 he has now matured and is actually enjoying school enough to want to stay for 5 days which is great.

“We came to the TLP shortly after H’s placement in a mainstream school had broken down.

He had severe separation anxiety, social anxiety, and refused to engage with any sort of formal placement as well as all the challenges inherent in being autistic.

We have found communication between the staff and us to be excellent; whether H’s 1:1 or admin staff, everyone has been friendly, professional, and keen to facilitate the best outcome for H. We have nothing but praise for this excellent programme and the individuals working within it. Forest school has had such an amazing positive impact on J and has helped him to learn to regulate himself better. He loves being here and spending time with Bubs. He has been trying harder at school and this is shown by reports sent by the school. He has also earned his bronze award for good behaviour. I am hoping that he will get to spend more time at forest school and get at least another term.”

TLP Pricing

1:1 session if booking 10 or more sessions £235 per session

1:1 session if booking less than 10 sessions £285 per session

2:1 session £394

Group session (2 staff for 6 learners) £773 per session. This can be reduced to £618 should you wish to provide one member of staff from your organisation.

Special Rate available if 1:1 session booked working alongside Home Education sessions.

Our Forest Schools

About Forest School

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Transitional Learning Programme