Alternative Outdoor Learning

Primary (Ages 5–11)

Extended age groups can be accommodated

Willowbrook Farm is an independent Alternative Outdoor Provision primarily for young people aged 5 – 11, based in Desborough, Northamptonshire. We offer a safe, engaging environment where young people can grow in confidence, develop resilience and discover their strengths through meaningful, hands-on nature based learning.

Our Offer to Schools

We 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 programs are tailored to support the student or group of students, with the aim of eventual reintegration into the mainstream setting, with ongoing support should this be required.

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 offer

Alternative Outdoor Learning (AOL) – Whole Class/Groups
Willowbrook Farm delivers Forest School, horticulture, and animal care programmes to schools. Our sessions are led by experienced practitioners who are here to 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 can bring our nurturing, practical approach to the places young people feel most safe: home, community spaces, or in a quiet area on the farm. This approach allows a calm, relational approach where we focus on trust, building communication and confidence, gently exploring what the young person’s feelings are and showing them what is possible.

One Off Sessions
Treat your 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 offer engaging Forest School inspired activity days. Sessions are 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

Our Offer

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

Individual Packages

Outdoor Learning/Forest School 1:1 £250 half day £350 full day
Animal care 1:1 £250 half day £350 full day
Work experience days – can be arranged on individual student basis to support college courses/vocal qualifications
Please contact us for more information

School package options

2 staff : 4 pupils (no school staff in attendance) £850 per day
2 staff : up to 12 pupils – (with school staff in attendance) £950 per day
Additional Outdoor Learning Tutor – £200 per day

Bespoke team days up to 30 pupils – 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