Meet the team

Ellen Blackwood

Director

Learn more about Ellen

Ellen is the director of Primary Forest School & Outdoor Education. Having completed her Level 3 Forest School Leader qualification she is very passionate about providing forest school experiences for primary school children across south west England. 

Ellen has graduated with a Sport, Physical Activity and Exercise degree from Durham University and has also completed a Masters by research at Exeter University having investigated the benefits of dinghy sailing for young people. 

Alongside Primary Forest School Ellen runs the Dorset Franchise for sports. Ellen’s sporting qualifications include Level 2 Basketball Coach, Level 1 Netball and Volleyball, and also a fully qualified sailing instructor as well as holding the Forest Schools qualification. Ellen has several years of coaching experience and led sessions in a variety of sports including multi-skills, athletics, dodgeball and rocket ball. She has spent 6 weeks in Zambia coaching netball, basketball and volleyball and 2 months in America working in an underprivileged camp as a lifeguard and swim teacher. Ellen’s own sporting background consists of playing in the National League basketball, and playing locally in netball and basketball whilst taking a leisurely approach to sail when she can.

Ellen enjoys the challenge of teaching in diverse environments which makes her suited to delivering forest schools. Her strengths are being adaptable within her sessions and ensuring the participants are having fun whilst learning. 

Becky Holman

Teacher

Learn more about Becky

Becky has been a self-motivated instructor for most of her working career. It has been of the utmost importance to be able to encourage people to move and keep their minds as well as their bodies active.

After initially qualifying in basic exercise to music, she decided to explore other avenues where she could use her qualifications. She took her skills to many nursery and school settings within Bristol and set up regular fitness sessions within the nurseries for the children.

The children’s classes led Becky to work for an independent school in Bristol, as a Physical Development specialist. This role required her to plan classes, risk assess sessions and write reports on the progress of the children. Becky has always worked in holiday clubs, providing outdoor education and fitness activities throughout the summer holidays.

In her role as a Personal Trainer, Becky works with some physically limited clients, as well as people wanting to train for sports specific aims. Becky qualified for this role at the grand old age of 44, helping people who would never have the confidence to attend group classes or the gym. She visits clients in their homes and trains them in their own environments, where they are comfortable. As Becky progressed through her career, she worked extensively outdoors, using parks and woodlands to teach PE classes, PT sessions and explorers groups. The opportunity arose to shadow a fellow colleague who was running forest school sessions at one of the nurseries. When her colleague moved on Becky seized the opportunity to run the outdoor education programme.

After completing her Level 3 Forest School qualification she went on to launch an additional outdoor education programme at the beach, only one of two Beach schools in Bristol.

In her part time role as an adult fitness instructor, Becky teaches people of all ages and abilities, classes being as much about community and friendship as well as fitness.

In her spare time, Becky is a keen painter and enjoys long cycle rides as well as long walks. She has two boys and two cats and lives with her partner in the Victorian town of Clevedon, North Somerset.

Becky teaches in our somerset schools.

Claire Nelson

Teacher

Learn more about Claire

Claire has always loved working with children. While primarily working in School's and Nursery’s, Claire has also worked with teenagers for many years, leading youth groups and weekly sessions at the local youth club. In the last few years, after having children, she has found herself involved with her local playgroup, always getting stuck in and organising various outdoor fundraising events.

Claire completed her Level 3 Forest School Leader Qualification, She loves that Forest School promotes learning through exploration and wonder. It provides a space for children to breathe, take risk, problem solve and grow in confidence. She loves that every day is a learning day as much for her as it is the children!

Claire loves to be outdoors, whether it’s walking, a family bike ride or camping in her camper van with her hubby and two boys. Beach days are always a joy come rain or shine and a favourite for their dog Fin too.Claire moved from Gloucestershire to Somerset and joined Primary Forest School, working in our Somerset and Devon schools. 

Jo Childs

Teacher

Learn more about Jo

Jo is equipped with a wealth of knowledge and skills gained from 20 years as a primary school teacher. She understands the needs of schools and can match outdoor learning to the curriculum as well as understanding the need for child-led exploration. She is passionate to develop curiosity, self-belief and confidence in all her sessions.

Growing up in the fields of Suffolk, Jo enjoyed making mud pies and dens in ditches. A lover of camping and relaxing in hammocks, Jo is always looking an excuse to be outdoors. She can often be found exploring with her family, walking her dog Otto around the Dorset woodlands, or foraging the coast on a paddleboard.

Jo loves to travel and has had several global adventures. This summer she is off to Costa Rica to explore the rainforest and no doubt bring back some tasty recipes.

Jo works in our West Dorset schools.

Sophie Boyes

Teacher

Learn more about Sophie

Sophie has recently moved to Somerset and joined Primary Forest School as a Forest School Leader.

Sophie’s career background includes working in the education sector as well as being a professional photographer. She has worked as a teaching assistant in a primary school as well as leading photography workshops for secondary school students.

With the knowledge gained during her Level 3 Forest School Leader training and her strong beliefs in forest school ethos, Sophie is keen to develop children’s wellbeing within the natural world around them.

In her spare time Sophie enjoys outside activities such as fossil hunting and landscape photography at the beach. 

Sophie will be working in our Somerset and Devon Schools

Rachel Allen

Administrator

Learn more about Rachel

Rachel is the adminstrator for Primary Forest School & Outdoor Education. She previously worked in a further education college and is our hub for all our enquires and administration needs.

Rachel's skills stretch across many sectors from working in the hairdressing industry, management, delivering further education courses, mentoring young people through apprenticeships and has a keen eye for detail makes her a perfect fit for our company.

Rachel is our key contact for all schools and parent enquiries, she manages the holiday club and after school bookings and is also staff at our Holiday Clubs.

Rachel enjoy's long walks, reading and swimming, her two boys love coming to forest school!

Adam Osman

Leader

Learn more about Adam

After working for years in the renewable technology sector, Adam wanted to share his experience and knowledge with children.  Adam has become a forest school leader to teach children about nature and the environment to empower them.

“I am incredibly passionate about the environment, and I am thrilled to work in schools in West Dorset, my commute to Corfe Castle village each week is one of the highlights and never ceases to amaze me.

I think forest school is vital for all children as it engages them to learn in a different way, to be active outside, build confidence and to encourage their connection with nature. We need to encourage children to look after our environment because they are the future.”

“Growing up in Dorset I love the amazing nature and seaside, I don’t plan on ever leaving! In my spare time I love running, cycling and growing my own veg”

Adam works in our West Dorset schools in Swanage, Wareham and Wool.