Director

Emma is a Level 3 Forest School Leader. Having done a Fine art degree, specialising in taking photos of macro nature, she then decided she preferred being in nature rather then in a dark room. Emma trained in horticulture and worked at Royal Botanic Gardens Kew. After having her 2 Children Phoebe and Dexter she trained as a Child minder, and loved engaging children with the outdoors. She went on to open Churchwood Forest School in 2017 and it has grown organically from there on. Emma is passionate about letting todays children experience the outdoors just like she was allowed to as a child.

Kindergarten Manager

After completing a degree in Marine Biology and Coastal Ecology, Caroline went on to gain her Primary Post Graduate Certificate in Education. She worked in a busy city primary school, focusing on early reading intervention, behaviour management, and emotional and social development before undertaking her Forest School Leader Level 3 award. Caroline is pleased to be able to combine her love for working with children with her passion for nature, conservation and sustainability. She strongly believes that spending time outdoors develops children’s imaginations, creativity, independence and physical abilities – as well as their happiness and well-being. In her spare time Caroline enjoys paddleboarding, walking, camping with her friends (and dog), and tending to her veggies on her allotment. BSc (Hons) Marine Biology and Coastal Ecology PGCE Primary Science with Qualified Teacher Status Level 3 Forest School Leader Outdoor First Aid Certificate Level 2 Safeguarding Certificate

Deputy Manager

My name is Mia and I’ve been working in Early Years for nearly 20 years. I’m a huge advocate for outdoor education and believe a natural environment offers children the chance to learn holistically while taking risk, problem solving and discovering who they are while building a positive relationship with the outdoor world. I spend most of my spare time outside. I love to cycle and am often found stomping around the moors or exploring the nearest beach.

Deputy Manager

PGCE in Early Years with Early Years Teacher Status
BA (Hons) in Design for Stage and Screen
Paediatric First Aid Qualified
Since moving to Devon in 2017 Rochelle has undertaken a postgraduate in Early Years Education, engaged in local community projects surrounding Theatre and the Arts, and raised her own wild child. Fascinated by the individual developmental journey that each child makes, Rochelle believes that a connection with nature promotes freedom, autonomy, and a love of all learning, and draws from global approaches to foster creativity, independence and belonging within the setting. In her spare time she enjoys spending drawn out days at hidden beaches or roaming the local landscape, and will often be found with a book, paintbrush, or tool in hand. 

Kindergarten Administrator

Kate loves being a part of the Churchwood Kindergarten team and is excited to be able to support the teams out in the forest. She came to work at kindergarten after working as a journalist, and in Strategic Communication, specialising in post-conflict environments, and in a Plymouth primary school as a teaching assistant. She really enjoys being part of a team that encourages children to find that connection with nature and the outdoors. Kate was first introduced to the forest school ethos while working at a summer camp at Bass Lake, Yosemite, California, where she saw that children can thrive by having hands-on experience learning and living in nature. In her spare time, she enjoys days out on local beaches with her family, walking the coastline and moors, kayaking and swimming.

Early Years Practitioner

A dedicated forest school practitioner with over 20 years experience in early years education, Julie loves working with children and is passionate about nature and sustainability. She believes that meaningful outdoor experiences and a connection with nature enrich children's love of learning and nurture imagination, confidence and curiosity.
Julie previously worked as a Portage Home Visitor supporting children with a range of needs through tailored, home-based early intervention, working closely with families and professionals to promote children's development through play. This role strengthened her commitment to inclusive practice and her ability to build trusting, empowering relationships. Julie has also worked as a Children's Centre Support Worker, Teaching Assistant, Nursery Nurse and Childminder. She has a BA (Hons) in Early Childhood Studies, a Level 2 Forest School Assistant qualification, and a flexible, compassionate approach to supporting children with diverse needs.
In her spare time, Julie enjoys being in nature, going to local beaches and woodlands, and observing wildlife. She likes spending time with family and friends, growing a few veggies and meditating.

Early Years Practitioner

Sophie holds a Level 3 Diploma in Early Years Education and was first introduced to the Forest School ethos while studying international approaches to learning. Captivated by the idea that children can thrive through hands-on experiences in nature, she set her heart on becoming a Forest School Leader. Since then, she has gained her Level 3 Forest School qualification and now feels lucky every day to work in the outdoor setting she always dreamed of. Sophie loves watching the children grow in confidence, resilience and independence and feels that the Forest School environment allows every child to shine – whether that's through quiet observation, joyful muddy play, or sharing stories around the fire circle. Sophie also has a BA (Hons) degree in Creative Writing, and enjoys bringing storytelling, imagination, and creativity into her sessions with the children. Outside of work, you'll usually find her walking woodland paths, reading with a coffee in hand, identifying fungi, foraging for wild food, painting, or writing. Sophie's artwork and poetry are all inspired by her fascination with the natural world.

Early Years Practitioner

I have a First Class Honours degree in BEd Primary Education, specialising in Art and Design. For the past two years, I've been teaching Year 2 full-time in primary schools around Plymouth, where I've enjoyed supporting children through creative and practical learning.
Outside the classroom, I've always been drawn to outdoor and community-based experiences. I spent five years as a Cub Scout leader, which gave me a strong foundation in outdoor skills and child-led exploration. At 18, I lived in Australia and travelled through New Zealand, and have also worked at an outdoor camp for underprivileged children in New Jersey, USA. I've also had the opportunity to visit Cuba, where we explored specialist schools focused on art and music. This gave me a deeper appreciation for how creativity and culture can enrich children's learning in different settings.
In my spare time, I enjoy surfing, kayaking, and paddleboarding—anything that gets me outside and connected to nature. I'm looking forward to helping children grow in confidence, curiosity and independence through forest school experiences.