We are located in a unique setting of 9 acres of woodland in Sunningdale, Berkshire, just outside of Ascot. Our setting is very secluded and safe (all fenced), it feels like you are in a woodland wilderness with ample space to explore.
Most decisions in adult life are based on previous experience. Children have the amazing ability to live life in wonder - questioning and experiencing things for the first time. This ignites imagination and learning on a level most adults can’t. We believe in an educational experience that fosters wonder in a natural setting so children can think for themselves, explore, take risks, learn things that interest them and marvel in the wonder around them.
CIC is is Community Interest Company - it means that any profits made by the business are reinvested to help a selected community. Natural Wonder is a CIC and any profits made by the enterprise will be used to help local home educated families and protect outdoor woodland settings in the local community.
We welcome all children to join our tribe and our Forest School Leaders are SEND trained. We’re a progressive education environment designed for elective Home Educated children. Please contact us if you’d like to discuss your child’s needs prior to joining so we can discuss any additional needs.
No, we’re much more. We are a blend of Forest School, Outdoor Education, Steiner and Montessori educational approaches. We’re a drop-off, all day progressive education experience based in 9 acres of secluded, secure woodland and our approach is designed for elective Home Education families. We focus learning around child-led, themed projects as well as our principles of Community, Collaboration and Stewardship where children learn to take care of themselves, others and the environment all whilst developing social skills, problem solving and fostering wonder and a love of learning.
4 - 11 years old.
At present we are running Monday to Wednesday, but as we grow this will change and we will look to run Monday to Thursday.
Please see our Safeguarding Policy HERE
Yes we are. All staff attend regular Safeguarding training. Please see our Safeguarding Policies HERE.
Great! Yes you can. We believe in creating our Natural Wonder Tribe and actively encourage parents to get involved and volunteer. Our tribe is family, experts and passionate people who wish to be involved in shaping what we do and improving the experience for the children.
Great! Please EMAIL US hello@naturalwonder.org.uk
We have a strict maximum of 15 children per session.
There is a minimum of 1 adult to every 6 children.
We believe there is no such thing as bad weather, just bad clothing. So we try our best to be in the woods as much as we can. Bad weather is an opportunity to work as a team and build a shelter or a warming fire. On especially cold days, or days where the wind is a concern in the woods, we have access to indoor, heated cabins and kitchens.
Quite a lot. We are a blend of Forest School, Outdoor Education, Steiner and Montessori educational approaches. We’re a drop-off, all day progressive education experience based in 9 acres of secluded, secure woodland and our approach is designed for elective Home Education families. We focus learning around child-led, themed projects as well as our principles of Community, Collaboration and Stewardship where children learn to take care of themselves, others and the environment all whilst developing social skills, problem solving and fostering wonder and a love of learning.
We believe in communication, cooperation, problem-solving, and self-regulation. This enables Natural Wonder to create a culture that enhances learning and instills valuable social skills and positive behaviour - involving children in solving problems (which we believe is more effective than punishment). We use encouragement rather than praise and rewards, and ensure Natural Wonder Mentors always strive to understand the motivation behind children’s behaviour.
We don’t believe in formal, uniform assessment of children. We believe in observational assessment that identifies individual progress, celebrating effort and identifying challenges, learnings and areas for development. Our goal is to help each child find their flow state and encourage their learning in areas that interest them. With our small numbers, we build a strong relationship with each child and we work closely with each child and their family to encourage development.
Your child will get time to play and explore the world around them and will be in an environment designed to facilitate the learning that interests them. Each day is different and child-led, but in general, Natural Wonder will focus learning around play and child-led, themed projects. Children can build, create, play, cook...the limit is their imagination.
Our principles of Community, Collaboration and Stewardship where children learn to take care of themselves and others, work together, care for the environment all whilst developing social skills, problem solving and fostering wonder and a love of learning run through all the activities.
Each day also has a period of reflection as an opportunity for recognising growth, effort, challenges and learnings.
We’ve designed session packages to spread the cost of a Natural Wonder term in monthly installments. We don’t want fees to be a barrier to this unique learning environment. If the fees are still a barrier to your family, please contact us and we’ll review on a case-by-case basis.
We are regulated by the Department for Education, Ofsted and the Early Years Register. All our staff are DBS checked and highly trained.
We are currently awaiting OFSTED Inspection. It’s worth mentioning that we comply with OFSTEDs directives on ratios, safeguarding and Early Years Framework etc. however we are not aspiring to achieve OFSTED’s “outstanding” view of education - to do so would not align with our ethos, values and approach. We believe in a different learning experience for our children which does not translate to the state education assessment criteria.
Yes, we have brick-building with toilets and washing facilities on site.
It would be great if they are, we’d like all children to be able to manage their toileting needs with minimal help, but we can accommodate children that need some assistance.
We love hearing from you, please drop us an EMAIL hello@naturalwonder.org.uk