"Children cannot bounce off the walls if we take away the walls." - Erin Kenny.
What we offer at Muddy Path Forest School
Forest School Birthday Parties
Muddy Path Forest School offers unforgettable outdoor birthday parties held at our secure forest school site in Guildford. Children are free to explore, play, and celebrate in a safe, natural environment. Parties are relaxed and fun, with activities such as den building, woodland games, nature crafts, and campfire experiences. Each party is carefully planned to be inclusive, well supervised, and full of muddy memories.
EBSNA, Anxiety and Wellbeing Support Forest School Sessions
We deliver tailored forest school sessions for children experiencing Emotional Based School Non-Attendance and for children who experience anxiety. These small, supportive sessions focus on wellbeing, confidence, and gentle re-engagement through time in nature. Sessions can be delivered at your school, with all equipment provided by Muddy Path Forest School. Schools simply need access to a field or outdoor space.
Long-Term Forest School Programmes
Our long-term forest school programmes provide regular sessions that allow children to build skills, resilience, and independence over time. These sessions are delivered on school sites, with Muddy Path Forest School bringing all necessary equipment. A field or suitable outdoor area is all that is required.
One-Off Forest School Sessions
We also offer one-off forest school sessions for schools or groups. These sessions are ideal for enrichment days, wellbeing events, or introductions to forest school practice. Sessions take place at your school, with all equipment supplied by us. All you need is a field or outdoor space.
Tom Lewis
Founder and Forest School Leader
Tom is an experienced Forest School and Outdoor Learning practitioner who has worked with children from Reception to Year 6, including those with SEN and additional needs. He is passionate about using woodland and outdoor environments to support children’s wellbeing, confidence and engagement with learning, particularly for children who benefit from a more flexible, nurturing approach. Tom founded Muddy Path Forest School to create safe, inclusive spaces where children can explore, take managed risks and reconnect with nature through forest school sessions, targeted SEN support and outdoor celebrations.
Denise Lewis
Forest School Leader
Denise is a key member of the Muddy Path Forest School team, with over twenty years’ experience as a class teacher and more than ten years as a deputy head in a large junior school. Throughout her career she has worked closely with children with SEN and additional needs, supporting inclusive practice and ensuring provision meets a wide range of learning, emotional and behavioural needs. As a qualified Forest School Leader, Denise has been instrumental in supporting schools to embed inclusive, high-quality outdoor and forest school learning into their practice, using nature-based approaches to enhance wellbeing, confidence and engagement.
Joanna Backhurst
SEN Lead
Joanna brings a wealth of experience from primary education, having worked as both a teacher and school leader, and is our SEN lead. She is passionate about using outdoor and forest school approaches to support children’s learning, wellbeing and confidence, and believes that time in nature gives children the opportunity to explore, discover and develop at their own pace. Her insight, enthusiasm and practical, child-centred approach are a valued part of the Muddy Path Forest School team.