Our vision has always been that Forest School be integrated into the Primary School Curriculum nationally so that a deep nature connection can be part of every child’s education. This has already become a reality in parts of the UK and Scotland. Veronica and I thought that the Heritage Council might be in a position to help in realising this vision through their wonderful scheme of Heritage in Schools, on which we are already listed as individual specialists.

So, last winter we contacted the Heritage in Schools Programme co-ordinator and asked that we be allowed to work together rather than as individual specialists, bringing Happy Out Forest School to the list of specialists. To our delight, this was agreed at the end of 2021. Immediately we arranged bookings and worked with the children of Barefield NS, Cloonanaha NS and Holy Family Senior NS. We received a very positive response from children and staff.

Then, in spring 2022 Heritage in Schools launched a Forest School Pilot Programme which offered a 6-week Forest School Programme free of charge to 10 schools nationwide. Schools were invited to apply in April and there were many applications. The 10 lucky schools have now been selected and we are very happy to be asked to work with 2 of these schools, one in Clare and the other in south Galway. We are very excited to be at the stage of arranging dates for the summer term and we will start next week.

To make a booking with us for your school, go to www.heritageinschools.ie using the following link: http://www.heritageinschools.ie/heritage-expert/profile/happy-out-forest-school