Meet The Team
Meet our team of friendly, qualified practitioners - all passionate about the outdoors, education and inspiring learning through nature!
DIRECTOR
DAVE CHURCHWARD
Hi – I’m Dave Churchward, the founder of Little Acorns Forest Schools Ltd.
I’ve been a Forest School leader since 2011 and have thoroughly enjoyed my days spent in the woods with learners young and old.
I come from a military background, spanning 3 decades and have always been happiest outside and in some kind of woodland.
I enjoy bushcraft and am a military combat survival instructor. regularly getting away to practice and keep my skills up.
I am now able to train adults up to Level 3 Forest School Leader and I also teach First Aid, which compliments the qualification well.
If you’re looking to change careers or just do something different in life and you have a love for the outdoors, then maybe get in touch with us to book on a course and start your journey now!
I’ve been a Forest School leader since 2011 and have thoroughly enjoyed my days spent in the woods with learners young and old.
I come from a military background, spanning 3 decades and have always been happiest outside and in some kind of woodland.
I enjoy bushcraft and am a military combat survival instructor. regularly getting away to practice and keep my skills up.
I am now able to train adults up to Level 3 Forest School Leader and I also teach First Aid, which compliments the qualification well.
If you’re looking to change careers or just do something different in life and you have a love for the outdoors, then maybe get in touch with us to book on a course and start your journey now!
ADMINISTRATOR
MERYL GARDNER
Hi – I’m Meryl.
I try to keep the day to day running of Little Acorns as smooth as possible!
I work behind the scenes, usually sitting at my computer or speaking to someone on the telephone – but occasionally I do venture into the woods (but I only go when it’s not muddy!!!)
I try to keep the day to day running of Little Acorns as smooth as possible!
I work behind the scenes, usually sitting at my computer or speaking to someone on the telephone – but occasionally I do venture into the woods (but I only go when it’s not muddy!!!)
LEVEL 4 FOREST SCHOOL & FIRST AID TRAINER
SIMON ROBINSON
Hi, I’m Simon, I have worked in the outdoor Industry for 23 years, delivering all aspects from First Aid to Forest School.
I have been involved in Forest School since 2003, and delivering Forest School training for 13 years, I love Forest School and the benefits it brings to the children and adults I work with.
I believe that everyone should have the opportunity to be involved in Forest School, so much so I spend a lot of my leisure time in the outdoors.
I have been involved in Forest School since 2003, and delivering Forest School training for 13 years, I love Forest School and the benefits it brings to the children and adults I work with.
I believe that everyone should have the opportunity to be involved in Forest School, so much so I spend a lot of my leisure time in the outdoors.
LEAD PRACTITIONER
KATE MORISON
Hi I’m Kate, a mum of three boys who loves the outdoors and a qualified primary school teacher.
You will often find me making mud pies in the mud kitchen at Stay and Play or entertaining our tiny little Acorns at Forest Babies!!
I love Forest school because every day is different and it is all about the ‘whole’ child. The children are in control of and lead their learning, so you support them in this exploration and discovery. This often leads to incredible learning in a very magical place!
You will often find me making mud pies in the mud kitchen at Stay and Play or entertaining our tiny little Acorns at Forest Babies!!
I love Forest school because every day is different and it is all about the ‘whole’ child. The children are in control of and lead their learning, so you support them in this exploration and discovery. This often leads to incredible learning in a very magical place!
PRACTITIONER
MARK POLLARD
Hi, I’m Mark. I started in Forest School in 2022 when Little Acorns helped me through the Level 3 Forest School Leader training and site set up support. I helped establish and run Forest School for a special school where I have worked as a Teaching Assistant since 2019. After a long career as an engineer I decided to retrain as a teacher, but realised a secondary school classroom was not for me and after completing teacher training I moved into the SEND sector. I really enjoy this environment and seeing just what the children can do, having also introduced woodwork into the school.
Outside of work I volunteer with the Wildlife Trust, helping run monthly Wildlife Watch sessions at my local country park. Seeing how these natural environments have benefitted children of all ages, abilities and helped them develop their skills, confidence and love for nature, as well as my own enjoyment of running Forest School sessions and getting involved in woodland management, this led me to join the Little Acorns team and get out of the classroom even more.
Outside of work I volunteer with the Wildlife Trust, helping run monthly Wildlife Watch sessions at my local country park. Seeing how these natural environments have benefitted children of all ages, abilities and helped them develop their skills, confidence and love for nature, as well as my own enjoyment of running Forest School sessions and getting involved in woodland management, this led me to join the Little Acorns team and get out of the classroom even more.
PRACTITIONER
ROBYN BOTTRILL
Hi, I’m Robyn.
I love forest school and think it’s even more fun in the rain.
My first forest school session was at a local school where I was working as a Teaching Assistant. I used to go down to the woods with the class I was working with and support them wherever possible. This was when I fell in love and knew I belonged in the woods not in the classroom. So, I trained as a Forest School Leader in 2021 with Little Acorns. After completing my training, I joined the team.
Now every day is an adventure – as it should be.
I love forest school and think it’s even more fun in the rain.
My first forest school session was at a local school where I was working as a Teaching Assistant. I used to go down to the woods with the class I was working with and support them wherever possible. This was when I fell in love and knew I belonged in the woods not in the classroom. So, I trained as a Forest School Leader in 2021 with Little Acorns. After completing my training, I joined the team.
Now every day is an adventure – as it should be.
PRACTITIONER
NICOLE CAUNT
Hi! I’m Nicole, I’m a loving mum to two beautiful girls!
I have a passion for Forest School and its ethos, and before joining Little Acorns Forest Schools Ltd I worked in a Forest School setting for over 8 years. That’s where I found my love for it and decided to do my Level 3 with Little Acorns Forest Schools and after having my second child, a great opportunity came up and I now get to work with them!
I like to be creative and be able to share this with the children and adults I work with or around, and strive to make a difference to young children’s lives. In my spare time I like to go to the gym, I especially enjoy boxing for fitness and learning new skills.
I have a passion for Forest School and its ethos, and before joining Little Acorns Forest Schools Ltd I worked in a Forest School setting for over 8 years. That’s where I found my love for it and decided to do my Level 3 with Little Acorns Forest Schools and after having my second child, a great opportunity came up and I now get to work with them!
I like to be creative and be able to share this with the children and adults I work with or around, and strive to make a difference to young children’s lives. In my spare time I like to go to the gym, I especially enjoy boxing for fitness and learning new skills.
PRACTITIONER
DAN HALFORD
I pretty much grew up in the outdoors camping, fishing and shooting as a child, which led me into instructing and coaching various outdoor pursuits, predominantly rock climbing, axe throwing and archery for the last 24 years.
I spent 10 years as a Teaching Assistant and Youth Worker working with both adults & children. I was working with SEN and EBD students supporting mainstream lessons and using the outdoors as an intervention including instructing archery, climbing, mountain biking and bushcraft.
I completed my level 3 Forest School Practitioners course in 2023 with Little Acorns as a career change after having worked in Archery for the last 14 years as a technician and coach. In my spare time I am a Community First Responder & qualified First Aid Instructor.
As a parent to 2 children, a rescue dog & a tortoise, the outdoors remains very much part of my life! As a Forest School practitioner I hope to inspire & support children in their learning in the outdoor environment, developing their intrapersonal skills as well as their mental health wellbeing. Having worked with a variety of school students and adults I know that a traditional classroom environment does not meet everyone’s needs.
“I think I’m quite ready for another adventure…” Bilbo Baggins
I spent 10 years as a Teaching Assistant and Youth Worker working with both adults & children. I was working with SEN and EBD students supporting mainstream lessons and using the outdoors as an intervention including instructing archery, climbing, mountain biking and bushcraft.
I completed my level 3 Forest School Practitioners course in 2023 with Little Acorns as a career change after having worked in Archery for the last 14 years as a technician and coach. In my spare time I am a Community First Responder & qualified First Aid Instructor.
As a parent to 2 children, a rescue dog & a tortoise, the outdoors remains very much part of my life! As a Forest School practitioner I hope to inspire & support children in their learning in the outdoor environment, developing their intrapersonal skills as well as their mental health wellbeing. Having worked with a variety of school students and adults I know that a traditional classroom environment does not meet everyone’s needs.
“I think I’m quite ready for another adventure…” Bilbo Baggins
PRACTITIONER
SANDY CHURCHWARD
Hi, I’m Sandy and I am very excited to join the Little Acorns team!
I have been married to Dave for almost 30 years so I have watched the team grow from strength to strength and have a good knowledge of how they work and what they offer to children, schools, families and the community.
I retired from teaching in July after 32 years of being in the classroom, I am ready for a new adventure outside. I have taught across all of the primary year groups although many of my years have been spent teaching in the Early Years which I love. I am passionate about learning being child led and children developing as an individual.
When I am not working I enjoy running, going to the gym and walking our crazy German Shepherd. If you ever see me out and about please do say hello!
I have been married to Dave for almost 30 years so I have watched the team grow from strength to strength and have a good knowledge of how they work and what they offer to children, schools, families and the community.
I retired from teaching in July after 32 years of being in the classroom, I am ready for a new adventure outside. I have taught across all of the primary year groups although many of my years have been spent teaching in the Early Years which I love. I am passionate about learning being child led and children developing as an individual.
When I am not working I enjoy running, going to the gym and walking our crazy German Shepherd. If you ever see me out and about please do say hello!
PRACTITIONER
AIVARAS JUREVIčIUS aka AJ
Hello, I am Aivaras (I – va – ras) or as many call me AJ.
I found my path with Little Acorns through a personal search of a holistic approach to children development and circumstances lined up to learn within Forest school.
For the last 3 years I have been working as a 1-to-1 SEND Learning Support Assistant. Through this my passion was sparked to gain insight on how to support those children who can find harmony in staying within the classroom, as well as, noticing more and more the critical part nature has in our all development and well being.
I believe that Forest School’s approach emphasizes the approach to a whole child as an individual, which in correlation allows children to explore their curiosity more deeply and develop as more resilient children. And I am here to learn along the way!
I found my path with Little Acorns through a personal search of a holistic approach to children development and circumstances lined up to learn within Forest school.
For the last 3 years I have been working as a 1-to-1 SEND Learning Support Assistant. Through this my passion was sparked to gain insight on how to support those children who can find harmony in staying within the classroom, as well as, noticing more and more the critical part nature has in our all development and well being.
I believe that Forest School’s approach emphasizes the approach to a whole child as an individual, which in correlation allows children to explore their curiosity more deeply and develop as more resilient children. And I am here to learn along the way!
SOCIAL MEDIA MANAGER
HARRIET PARKES
Hi, I’m Harriet! I create, post and manage all of our content across our social media pages along with lots more!
You won’t normally see me as I’m usually at home on my laptop and phone (at the same time), but occasionally you’ll see me in the forest, getting more content of what we do!
(Don’t forget to give us a follow on Facebook & Instagram!!)
