Alternative Provision
Our Mission
At Fireflies Forest School Ltd, we are dedicated to fostering a love for nature and the outdoors in children. Our mission is to provide immersive educational experiences that enhance children's connection with the forest and promote environmental stewardship.
Alternative Provision
What our alternative provision can offer....
We appreciate that each individual child will be accessing our bespoke alternative provision for different reasons and therefore the programme will be planned and facilitated in order to support the child in the areas discussed and agreed.
Whether a child is out of school for the time being, accessing school part time or whether you are just looking for an alternative provision to compliment their current education, we are happy to discuss a variety of options and ways we can support the development of:
- Self Esteem
- Social interaction or Communication skills
- Motivation
- Perseverance or resilience
- Self-management and independence
- Trust in others
- Confidence in new locations and with new people
- Physical skill sets
- Health and fitness
If this is something you feel would suit your child or a child you work with please do send us a message and we would love to see how we can help.
Who are currently offered provision?
We offer a Forest School/nature- outdoor programme for learners who:
- Are excluded or temporarily finding it difficult to access school for any reason
- Are suffering from mental health conditions and need some support to improve self-esteem, suffer with anxiety, depression, PTSD, attachment conditions or for those who have experienced trauma.
- Children suffering emotional based school avoidance
- Children/young adults who are transitioning back into education after having periods of time at home
- Have poor attendance or at risk of exclusion
- Are unable to attend their current provision or are awaiting a space in a specialist provision.
- Children who have a EOTAS package
- Children who are in a school who have said that they cannot meet the childs needs and so need support to offer the child an education as an interim plan
(this list is not exclusive, and we can support learners based on almost any situation).
Ultimately, whatever the reason may be for a child or young adult who are unable to access their current education full time, we would love to support them in improving their self-esteem and confidence.
We can build on skills such as independence, resilience and ultimately support their mental health to hopefully enable them to feel better about themselves and be able to access whatever future education or employment they strive to.
We currently have children access our provision from age 6-16.
How do we enrol a child?
We would be happy for any young person to access our services. They do not necessarily need any diagnosis or formal EHCP as long as the sessions can be funded.
We feel passionate that our woodland gates are open to all. Upon referral we will of course meet to ensure that funding has been confirmed.
We can start a block of sessions at any time of the year, and do not need to wait until an official start of a term.
A referral form will be completed and a phone call with the appropriate referee. We will then design a bespoke programme for the young person.
- Email or telephone enquiry received: alternativeprovision@firefliesforestschool.co.uk
- Referral form/s completed and confirmation of funding stream, then returned via email
- Any relevant paperwork such as an EHCP, school reports etc sent through to Fireflies
- Telephone/email communication between a manager and parent/carer or the commissioning body
- 1 hour induction visit organised and completed
- Decision made on whether we can meet the needs of the student
- If successful, a SLA including costs and hours will be agreed and signed
- Student begins with us
- Review will be organised after 3 weeks, if successful, the SLA will be renewed for a further termly programme
(Shorter programmes are also available)
Testimonials
Testimonial from a parent...
" My son attended Fireflies Alternative Provision sessions for approx 3 months while he was waiting for a specialist school due to his Special Education Needs.
I have to say I have nothing but praise for Fireflies. The ladies were brilliant with J*, they focused on a child led approach free from demands, but gentle encouragement to try new things, which was great for his self esteem and confidence.
The care and attention given to my sons needs, targets and linking his time at forest school to those targets on his EHCP, was just beyond anything I expected.
The setting itself is just incredible. The thought of my son doing any activity with a blade or fire starter was horrifying but somehow the ladies made this something that was accessible to him and something which he loves!!
Furthermore, the communication with Parents was brilliant and can’t be faulted!
He absolutely loved his sessions at Forest school, and we are all really sad they’ve come to an end now he’s started school again.
Thankyou to Jessica, Tracey and Katy for giving J* such an amazing opportunity that allowed him to thrive.
Another testimonial...
The difference this has made not only to our child's life but our whole family's life is so massive.
We were in such a dark place when J started at fireflies when a school placement broke down to the point he ended up out of school with no specialist school in place.
Fireflies took us there wing and supported not just J but also gave us as parents confidence that although we were in a bad place there was light at the end of the tunnel and that we had a lovely little boy who was just a little bit lost after being in an unsuitable environment.
Fireflies instantly saw J's strengths and used these to build his confidence and self esteem.
J started fireflies with very little confidence and self esteem and left fireflies full of confidence, thriving and his self esteem was back and this was completely down to the absolutely amazing staff at Fireflies.
The opportunities given to J were amazing and he was learning along the way and they offered many learning opportunities in the sessions.
Fireflies will always hold a space place in not just his life but ours too. The memories his made and giggles his had.
For the first time ever I can safely say he was ready for school and the next stage of his life. Fireflies helped aid the transition into specialist provision perfectly. Having fireflies run alongside the transition into the specialist school really help aid his transition to be successful and having that space to talk about the changes and the future helped the big change into school become less scary for him and made it really positive experience.
J still talks very fondly of fireflies and all the team.
Another testimonial...
I can not thank you all enough, I feel like when F first joined fireflies I was so scared about what the future would hold for us ( I still worry at times but what mother doesn’t) and now I feel like we have a future to look forward to, none of this would have been possible without every single person on your team that has worked with F, all very different personalities but every single one of you have made such a positive impact in his life.
I’m so glad that you all got to see the beautiful, funny boy he is. He has left fireflies such a different child and I’m so proud of him and everything he has achieved.
Honestly, you’ve not only helped F, but me too.
He’s changed so much but kept all the good bits . We are so grateful for everything you have all done
Between you all you have genuinely helped change our lives .
I can’t believe he isn’t coming back to you after half term, I wish he could just stay for the rest of his school years with all of you!