MEET THE TEAM
Hello, I'm Phoebe and I'm super happy to have found Greenways Forest school.
Whilst studying Anthropology I came across the forest school movement and have been fascinated by it ever since. As a country girl I love being outside, going on hikes, foraging and wild swimming.
After uni I trained as an early years educator, and joined the team at an outdoor kindergarten setting. I love seeing the environment through a child's perspective, building respect for nature, resilience in children, and reconnecting ourselves with the natural world.
PHOEBE
Hi, I’m Francesca. As a budding mycophile, you’ll always find me exploring the forest in search of fantastic fungi! Having grown up in Dorset, I spent the whole of my childhood in the New Forest and on the Jurassic coast; exploring, building and foraging.
As a Fine Art graduate, my artistic practice explores ritualism and our relationships to the natural world. I love to work with paint, print, sound and sculpture, and I am excited to get crafting with the kids-creating art inspired by our local forest areas. I have over 5 years’ worth of experience hosting children’s parties, and have had some amazing opportunities to produce creative workshops at places like the Tate Exchange. I feel passionately that the magic of the outdoors should be accessible for all children to enjoy, and I am excited to be a part of a project with that principle at the forefront
FRANCESCA
Hi I’m Rose. I’m in my first year at university studying performance and performance design. I moved to London from Sheffield where I was very lucky to spend a lot of time in nature. I think being outdoors is great for mental health and creativity.
I missed the woodland of Sheffield a lot when I first moved down so Greenways' sessions are a really precious time of the week for me. I find working with children really energising and inspiring - I love the conversations we have and seeing the world through their eyes.
ROSE
Hi, I'm Matt. I have a deep love of the outdoors, from constructing treehouses to exploring the woodlands. I love observing all wildlife from tiny insects to huge birds, discovering and researching a range of habitats
My passion for the natural world led me from leading scout groups to a deeper dive into nature nurseries in the South of England. With several years experience within the early years sector. I am excited to be part of a team with the ability to offer amazing adventures and invaluable learning experiences. Reconnecting us back to nature and the great outdoors.
MATT
Hi, I'm Rich and am really excited to be part of this project! As an engineering graduate I've always been excited by the idea of using natural resources to make, create, and build. It's long been a mission of mine to help bring nature back to the children of London, and help them connect with the forest spaces we have on our doorstep.
I've been working with children of all ages across London for nearly 10 years, have designed the Forest School curriculum in a number of settings, and no two days have ever been the same! I am always in awe observing the transformative power that nature brings and how it can help children's confidence, self-esteem, and self belief grow.
Hi, I'm Jana and I'm really excited to be a part of Greenways Forest school. I am lucky to have been born in a time and place where running around outdoors with friends was an essential part of growing up. My parents and grandparents took me hiking, camping and foraging for wild mushrooms and fruit before I could even walk
We travelled around the national parks and nature reserves in my country, spent weekends and holidays in a cottage surrounded by forests and hills and all this shaped a great love of nature and outdoors that stayed with me ever since. At the age of 9, my best friend introduced me to a scout club and since then all my weekends and holidays were spent outdoors, playing and organising games or taking part in other outdoor activities with the Scout community. Since then I have become a Scout division leader, a Primary school teacher, a Londoner, a walking group organiser, a mother of 2 and most recently a Forest school leader.My mission is to share my passion for spending time in nature, offer a taste of that fun and freedom to children growing up in London, and inspire others to build their own meaningful connection with nature.
JANA
Hello, I’m Sam. I have a background in arts project management and have worked with lots of different community groups over the years. I have always loved getting out for long country walks but during lockdown I started really exploring my local parks and woodlands.
I learnt how to identify birds by their song, which was the start of a journey to connect with nature in a deeper way. This led me to complete my Forest School Level 2 training. I’m really happy to be able to put what I have learnt into practice and encourage children's understanding and appreciation of the natural world.
SAM
Hi my name is Martine and I'm very passionate about the great outdoors! I was so excited to find the forest school and become a part of this project. Growing up in Yorkshire meant I was never far from nature and some of my earliest memories are being in the woodlands with my Dad, discovering trees and wildlife. This was such a formative part of my childhood and I'm happy that I can impart some of my love for the woods onto our little people in London.
I have a background in childcare and have been working with children and families for over 10 years. I believe in child centred learning and exploration, which is why forest school is so great to be a part of. I look forward to meeting you and your little ones soon!
MARTINE
You can book sessions here. And don't forget, if it's your child's first session
we have a special Taster Session discount!