Alternative provision
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About Our Alternative Provision
Our Forest School offers a unique, nature-based approach to learning and personal growth, designed for children and young people requiring alternative provision placements or flexible schooling options. Operating within a therapeutic, low-demand, self-directed environment, we provide the freedom, support and inspiration that can help children and young people thrive outside of a traditional classroom.
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What We Offer
Full Day: Children and young people can join a vibrant, mixed-age community of home-educated and flexi-schooled peers, creating an inclusive space where socialisation, play, and forest-based learning happen naturally. Our approach is rooted in holistic development and therapeutic play. This allows students to explore a wide range of activities, from bushcraft and den-building to mindfulness exercises and crafts, all guided by the rhythms of the natural world. Please see below for full details of our application process.
AP Wild Play Sessions: Join us for an immersive one hour woodland play session designed for all ages. Each session invites children and young people to explore the beauty of the forest, fostering curiosity and creativity in nature’s playground. Swinging in our hammocks, testing your balance on our slackline, or climbing up to the treehouse platform are just a few of the exciting adventures awaiting you. Let your imagination run wild as you get messy in our mud kitchens, splash around in our water area, and discover the wonders of the natural world. It’s a chance to connect with nature, learn through play, and make memories in a magical outdoor setting!
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During Wild Play sessions, children and young people must be accompanied by an adult and supervised in the woodland at all times.
Booking link: https://bookwhen.com/wirralwildlings
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Why Choose Our Forest School for Alternative Provision?
We are passionate about helping children who face challenges such as:
· Social, emotional, or mental health needs that benefit from a nurturing, self-directed environment.
· Experiences of trauma, emotionally based school avoidance/anxiety that require a calming, supportive setting.
We provide a welcoming, tranquil space where every child is encouraged to flourish at their own pace. While we are committed to inclusion and supporting a wide range of needs, the nature of our open, outdoor setting means we are currently best equipped to support children who are able to manage their safety and remain with the group. At present, we are not able to accommodate children who may require constant one-to-one supervision, are at high risk of flight, or who are unable to keep themselves safe. We hope to broaden our capacity in the future as our staffing and resources grow, and we are always happy to discuss each child’s individual circumstances to see how we can help.
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Expert Led Individualised Support
Our team includes qualified teachers, Level 3 Forest School and Beach School Leaders, and certified outdoor mental health practitioners with experience in trauma-informed practices and therapeutic strategies. Sessions are child-led and flexible, enabling us to adapt to each day's natural opportunities. For young people who may not be ready to access a full-day session immediately—or at all—we may be in a position in the future to offer the flexibility of 2:1 or small group support sessions. These will be led by two qualified teachers who are also experienced Forest School leaders, trained in mindfulness practices and outdoor mental health support. This tailored approach ensures a highly supportive, individualised experience that meets the unique needs of each child.
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In addition, we incorporate Rhythmic Movement Training (RMTi)—a movement-based primitive reflex integration program that uses developmental movements, gentle isometric pressure, and self-awareness to help overcome learning, sensory, emotional, and behavioural challenges. Our practitioners are Level RMTi trained. Beginning in September 2025, we are expertly designing our Forest School site to support the integration of these movements. This will allow us to assess, create individual plans, and offer both targeted and whole-group sessions that include RMTi, yoga, and mindfulness practices.
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Learning with Purpose
While our sessions are guided by holistic interests, children and young people also have the option to follow the Wild Passport (a progressive outdoor/bushcraft scheme that can track skills, knowledge, and competencies) and the Therapy Adventure Wellbeing Award (an award where children and young people can learn 10 clinically proven strategies to support wellbeing in their everyday life). These frameworks allow for meaningful engagement while prioritising student well-being and autonomy.
Current Placements Available
We are committed to trialing this new alternative provision and are currently running full-day sessions every Tuesday during term time from 9:30am - 3:30pm. Term dates can be viewed in our parent handbook.
We hope that we can enable children and young people to reconnect with nature, rediscover joy in learning, and find a path to emotional well-being.
Application and Approval Process for a place in the setting
The child’s school should complete an enquiry form on our website, www.wirralwildlings.co.uk.
The Wildlings Management Team will be in contact to arrange a visit to the setting. A representative from the school should be in attendance, along with the child and a parent/carer. The Wildlings kindergarten manager and SENDCO will also be present. The visit will provide an opportunity to view the setting and to discuss procedures, activities, risks and obligations, as well as the needs of the child.
The school should email wildlingsenquiries@gmail.com within 7 days to formally request a place for the child. The request should include specific details of any potential adjustments or considerations for the child that may be required. Please also provide copies of any SEND documentation with the request.
The placement request will be reviewed by the WW management team and a response will be provided within 14 days to communicate a placement decision or to request further information about the child. It may be necessary at that point to provide a revised estimate on fees.
Should a placement be approved, the usual enrolment and settling-in procedure will be followed to obtain signed terms and conditions and registration forms, as well as child identification documents. All placements are undertaken as a trail on a termly basis and reviewed at the end of each term.
Wirral Wildlings CIC reserves the right to decline to continue the placement of a learner after commencement of their placement if, in the professional judgment of Wirral Wildlings CIC, the provider is unable to meet the learner's educational or care needs, or if the provider is unable to ensure the safety of the learner. This includes, but is not limited to, situations where an additional staff member would be required to meet the learner’s needs or to ensure their safety, and such staff are either unavailable or the cost of employing an additional staff member is not financially viable. In such instances, Wirral Wildlings CIC will communicate the decision to the School with as much notice as possible, and efforts will be made to offer alternative provision where feasible.
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email: wildlingsenquiries@gmail.com
phone: 07903380264
