Meet The Team

Meet our team of friendly, qualified coaches. Our staff have a passion for the outdoors and for education!

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!


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!!!)


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.


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!


PRACTITIONER

CHARLOTTE GUNBY

Hi, my name is Charlotte.

I’m a mum of 3 – 2 boys and 1 girl.

I started in outdoor education back in 2017, working as a TA for a Forest School Leader in the school I worked in. I absolutely loved it – so I took the plunge and did my training with Little Acorns.

I qualified in December 2018 and started working for Little Acorns in the January of the following year.

I think it’s so important to allow children to have the opportunity to be able to explore and appreciate our natural outdoor spaces, giving them an understanding of nature and its beauty, as well as the importance of the dynamics of why we need to keep our green spaces green and how we can help to protect them. The forest school ethos helps us to deliver this and teach future generations a multitude of skills whilst having fun & normally getting very dirty!


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.


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.


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


PRACTITIONER

CHRIS DICKINSON aka Ginge

Hi, I’m Ginge and, after 24 years as a soldier in the army, I am excited to be working with Little Acorns. I’m a big kid who loves getting involved with helping others to have enriching experiences outside, especially if it involves me getting to play on the woods, whatever the weather.

I have always loved outdoor activities and from being young, I enjoyed playing outside in the local woods, climbing trees, building shelters, camping outdoors and cooking on the campfires we built. After successfully completing my Duke of Edinburgh award, I decided to join the army where I could learn more survival skills and put them to use around the world.

At the age of 31, I was diagnosed with ADHD and now realise what a difference Forest School could have made to me whilst growing up. I want to be able to help, both young and older, Forest School users to have the enjoyment, freedom and endless opportunities to learn holistically, that this fantastic hands-on approach offers to everyone.


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.


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!!)