Alternative Outdoor Learning

COMING SOON – planned opening January 2027

Willowbrook Farm will soon be opening an independent Alternative Outdoor Provision in Desborough, Northamptonshire. We will offer a safe, engaging outdoor space where young people can develop resilience and discover their strengths through meaningful, hands-on nature based learning, life and work experiences.

Our Offer

We will equip schools with the physical spaces, educational frameworks and staff support necessary to bring learning outdoors, backed by ready-to-use lesson plans and resources.

Provision of an alternative educational environment that is fully inclusive for all students who may not, for any reason, thrive within a traditional classroom setting.

Personalised learning or work experience programs that are tailored to support the student or group of students.

Animal Care – providing hands-on care for our resident donkeys and small animals.

Animal Care and Grounds Maintenance work experience – providing work experience opportunities for students to support with college studies and vocational qualifications.

River Exploration &
Wildlife Discovery

River Exploration: Exploring the River Ise’s banks and river bed, with river-based learning activities during the summer months when the river is at its lowest.

Wildlife Discovery: Understanding living things, habitats and care for the natural world around us

Forest School

Bushcraft & Open-Fire Cooking: Developing practical skills through fire lighting and culinary activities on the firepit

Child-Led Exploration: Facilitating self-directed play within our woodland area, secure open spaces and upcoming activity trail

Horticulture & Animal Care

Horticulture: Managing our greenhouse and allotment to understand the ‘seed to plate’ process

Animal Care: Providing hands-on care for our resident donkeys and birds

Nature Inspired Creative Arts & Learning

Engaging with the environment through tactile, natural crafts; incorporating story telling, creative writing and music.

Guided Nature Walks & Grounding: Utilising our immediate access to the countryside for mindfulness and exploration

What we will offer

Alternative Outdoor Learning (AOL) – Whole Class/Groups
Forest School, horticulture, and animal care programmes. Our sessions will be led by experienced practitioners who will co-create an experience that fits your students’ needs – whether your focus is on connecting with nature, encouraging self directed learning, building confidence, or strengthening group bonds. Our natural outdoor setting offers something different to the confines of a classroom. We will support students to develop alternative coping strategies, providing them with the resilience to deal with a world that is forever changing, which can sometimes be a scary place.

Alternative Outdoor Provision (AOP) – supporting learners struggling in mainstream education with SEMH and SEN, or behavioural barriers to learning, through our Alternative Outdoor Provision, with the aim of eventual reintegration into and ongoing support for the mainstream setting. This would suit children who have been or are at risk of being permanently excluded from mainstream, who have a case worker assigned with the Local Authority or who the school wishes to refer.

Willowbrook Therapeutic Outreach – we understand that not every child is ready to come straight into a formalised learning environment. We will look to develop outreach programs bringing a nurturing, practical approach to the places young people feel most safe: home, community spaces, or in a quiet area on the farm. This approach will allow a calm, relational approach where we can focus on trust, build communication and confidence, gently exploring what the young person’s feelings are and showing them what is possible.

One Off Sessions
Opportunities to treat groups of pupils to a fun filled day of discovery and hands-on learning on the farm for end of term celebrations or a school trip for specific groups of children.
We will offer engaging Forest School inspired or specific activities days. Sessions will be tailored to suit any age group and focus on learning through exploration and play.

Other activities could include:
Shelter building and safe tool use
Team games and confidence building challenges
Sports day activities
At an additional cost external providers can be bought in, such as; archery, axe throwing, falconry, circus acts. We can tailor our offer to suit schools specific wishes

Information

Full day: 9.30 a.m. – 2.30 p.m. (children to bring packed lunch, snacks will be provided)
Half day morning: 9.30 – 12.00 noon
Half day afternoon: 12:30 – 3.00 p.m.

Outdoor Learning
Forest School
Animal care
Horticulture
Bushcraft

Work experience days
Can be arranged on individual student basis to support college courses/vocal qualification

Re-integration programmes

Bespoke team days
contact us for more information

Bespoke exclusive land hire only option – contact us for more information

Transport not included but can be arranged

Our Promise to you

* To lead engaging sessions that naturally support curriculum goals offering rich opportunities for teachers to extend learning back in the classroom
* To always provide a fun, engaging and social environment where children can build relationships with us and their peers
* Committed, empathetic and flexible practitioners with the appropriate qualifications and relevant experience to effectively lead sessions
* To promote continuous professional development for all our staff to ensure the best support the schools aims and outcomes for students
* We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people, particularly those with additional needs. We expect all staff to share this commitment
* All appointments are subject to rigorous safer recruitment procedures, including enhanced DBS checks, references, and online searches, in line with statutory guidance
APHA (Animal & Plant Health Agency) Registration number: C1542306
Ducks Reg No U1636424
Chickens Reg No U1636426

Email: info@willowbrookevents.co.uk