We are an Ofsted registered early years forest school for children aged 1–5 in Jacobstow, near Bude.

 

Mike and I founded Greenbank forest school in Bristol in 2013 and have loved running it for all these years. We are now relocating, and we’re excited to be creating a warm, outdoor setting in Cornwall where children can learn through play, exploration, and real experiences.

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Our aim is simple: to give children the time, space, and support to grow through outdoor play and real-life experiences. Our approach is self-directed learning, guided by children’s curiosity and supported by the world around them. In our own 5-acre woodland, children can choose their own learning through climbing, building, digging, creating, observing, and experimenting, all with steady adult support, clear routines, and thoughtful risk assessment.

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Because we’re on our small working farm, children will also take an active role in farm life. They’ll have regular opportunities to help care for our goats, pigs, and hens, and to get to know our forest school dog Bikkel. These experiences naturally build confidence, communication, responsibility, and connection; to animals, to nature, and to each other.

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We’re a home-educating family. Our two teenagers, who have grown up in our forest school, are often an extra pair of hands, adding to the friendly, family feel of the setting. We run term-time only, Monday to Thursday, and fully funded places are available.

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Our woodland and farm setting gives children the freedom to explore, take appropriate risks, and build real confidence, one muddy, wonderful day at a time.

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If The Goaty Orchard sounds like the right fit for your child, we’d love to hear from you. Click Enquire to get in touch.