## F **Forest School SNPT**
## **ANNUAL REPORT 2023/2024**
**Charity Name** : Forest School Swansea Neath & Port Talbot (FSSNPT) **Charity Number:** 1087964
**Address:** Bishop’s Wood Countryside Centre, Caswell, Swansea, SA3 3BS AGM Trustee Report 2023 - 2024
## **JOINT CHAIR'S STATEMENT**
A year of change.
April 2023 we welcomed the new Manager into post
One school booked us to run 6 days of Forest and Coastal School. Fortunately the whole school didn’t all come on the same day! A different year group on each day. This was absolutely incredible. Summer 2023 we delivered 50 sessions
We received funding from City & County of Swansea, Coast Funding and Neath Port Talbot for holiday provision. Summer 2023 we delivered 50 sessions, thanks to all of the team for making this a memorable Summer. We also attended Wonderfest and National PlayDay at The National Waterfront Museum.
This year we sadly had to move from Llys Nini and therefore no longer have a permanent site, so we decided to go into the heart of the community and utilise local parks and green spaces. The weather throughout the year has not been the best but staff have created shelters which have been incredible.
In August we were successful in being awarded a grant from the Postcode Lottery. This has enabled us to support delivery of After School Forest School provision, Woodland Explorers, Home Educated Explorers. We were also successful in gaining Shared Prosperity Funding for our partnership work with Friends of Morriston Park for the Morriston Park Nature Play Project, allowing us to offer Seedlings once again in the park. We forged a partnership with Pobl and managed to gain more funding to deliver Forest School Penderi, working in two schools in the area. We have continued to work with schools offering Forest School sessions.
Over the year we have welcomed new sessional staff to the team, and increased our core team. A massive thank you to those who have worked for us for a long time and welcome to the new faces.
Di Clark & Tim Orrell
Co Chair of Trustees
**Charity Name** : Forest School Swansea Neath & Port Talbot (FSSNPT) **Charity Number:** 1087964
**Address:** Bishop’s Wood Countryside Centre, Caswell, Swansea, SA3 3BS AGM Trustee Report 2023 - 2024
## **Focus on Growth**
New member staff within the Training Team
As a small team of dedicated core, sessional and volunteers it is vital that we continue with the amazing work that has been achieved to date. Offering Forest School sessions and delivering Forest School Training.
During the year we have been able to take on two new members of staff, increasing the staff team to 7. We recognised there was a need to expand a little and recruited a Training Administrator, in January 2024. It is often the case that people hit the ground running and this person did exactly that. Ensuring that we promote the training, engaging with the trainers and trainees, making sure that all the files are ready in time for the commencement of the course and much more. You may have noticed there is a little more publicity around the place. Katy has also been a valuable asset to the Trainers, assisting with all the administration for the courses and much more.
New member staff within the Training Team
We were really grateful to be awarded funding from the Shared Prosperity Fund. We managed to secure a partnership bid with Friends of Morriston Park - Morriston Park Nature Play, this gave us an opportunity to offer Seedling, Woodland Explorers, and holiday provision. As this work had been secured for a year we felt it right that we offer temporary contracts to a FS Assistant to work on a particular project.
We also found out that Pobl had secured funds to run a project with us in two schools in Penderi Ward and holiday sessions.
We are really pleased to welcome new sessional Leaders and Assistants, a total of 20, which is amazing!. Although we have lost a couple of the team in the last twelve months too, which we are really sad about. We also have 5 volunteers, most of our previous volunteers went on to gain Forest School qualifications with us.
## **Charity Name** : Forest School Swansea Neath & Port Talbot (FSSNPT) **Charity Number:** 1087964
**Address:** Bishop’s Wood Countryside Centre, Caswell, Swansea, SA3 3BS AGM Trustee Report 2023 - 2024
## **FSSNPT: Financial Review**
## **Reserves Policy**
The aim of the organisation is to maintain reserves to enable it to continue and expand the services currently provided and in addition to developing new projects and opportunities in the future. Our policy is to strive to maintain a reserve of three working months, in addition to a reserve for statutory redundancy of £8,843 as at 31 st March 2024.
## **Further Financial Details**
During the 23-24 financial year our primary sources of funds are detailed below: £34,780 income generated through various projects (e.g schools, playschemes, seedlings) £23,112 from our training portfolio
£76,195 in grant funding
(Of this amount £34,921 is included in restricted reserves as at 31/03/24 as this amount relates to specific activities which are being delivered in the 2024/25 financial year). £986 Interest and Other Income Total income: £135,073.
The net cash inflow of £30,787 shown in the 2023/24 accounts is largely due to the receipt of a grant of £28,283 received in March 2024. This grant is to cover costs of a project in Morriston which didn’t commence until the 2024/25 financial year.
## **Activities**
Going forward
**Seedlings** – 0 - 4 years up to 5th birthday and their parents / carers
**Mudbugs** – fun for 5 – 7 years up to 8th birthday and their grown-ups
**Woodland Explorers** – sessions for 8 - 12 years up to their 13th birthday
**Family Fun for all the family**
## **Home Educated Woodland Explorers**
## **Specific sessions for various groups and organisations**
All of our Sessions offer:
- An opportunity for child-initiated play and learning in a natural woodland / open space environment.
- Support for all aspects of your child’s learning and their ‘holistic’ development.
- A safe space which encourages respect for self, others and the environment.
## **Charity Name** : Forest School Swansea Neath & Port Talbot (FSSNPT) **Charity Number:** 1087964
**Address:** Bishop’s Wood Countryside Centre, Caswell, Swansea, SA3 3BS
AGM Trustee Report 2023 - 2024
• An atmosphere of cooperation with Forest School staff, parents and children working together as a team.
• A careful balance of structural activities alongside time and space for free play.
Improvements in well-being, self esteem, physical health benefits, improved communication and social skills.
The main thing is that it is a lot of fun.
## **WHAT WE DID**
## **Training**
There have been 8 training courses run this year with 49 trainees.
The training programme this year has been very rewarding, seeing the trainees gain in confidence and the transformation into inspired and capable forest school/coastal school/outdoor learning/play practitioners.
Our training team consists of Emma, Katy and myself. We set out to create safe and
supportive courses where trainees gain confidence, build relationships and become
inspired. From the feedback we have had after each course, we have certainly achieved this.
Feedback from the trainees has been 100% positive with comments such as:
“New skills, new increased ideas for teaching, increased confidence”
“Having been an Assistant for 10 years I now feel much more aware, further equipped to plan, deliver, monitor and evaluate Forest School sessions.”
“This course has been brilliant, well-paced with lots of time outdoors”
“Wonderful Trainer enthusiastic and very knowledgeable”
During the year we ran two level three forest school practitioner courses, two level 2 forest
school practitioner courses, two curriculum based outdoor learning and one level 3 coastal school top up course.
Some of our trainees have since gone on to work with us at Forest school SNPT and have continued their journey in forest school and outdoor learning.
Emma and I have also attended standardisation meetings with other associate trainers from
our accreditation Centre at Cambium to ensure the training we provide at Forest School
SNPT is at a high standard. I’m also part of the Welsh Outdoor Learning Network which
## **Charity Name** : Forest School Swansea Neath & Port Talbot (FSSNPT)
## **Charity Number:** 1087964
**Address:** Bishop’s Wood Countryside Centre, Caswell, Swansea, SA3 3BS
AGM Trustee Report 2023 - 2024
meets quarterly.
## Karen
Cambium Training Courses which took place: March 2023 - April 2024
- March 2023 - Level 2 Forest School Assistant (7 trainees)
- May 2023 - Level 3 Forest School Leader (9 Trainees)
- May 2023 - Coastal Top-Up Level 3 (5 Trainees)
- July 2023 - Level 2 Curriculum Based Outdoor Learning (3 Trainees)
- September 2023 - Level 3 Forest School Leader (8 Trainees)
- September 2023 - Coastal Top-Up Level 3 (6 Trainees)
- November 2023 - Level 2 Curriculum Based Outdoor Learning (4 Trainees)
- February 2024 - Level 2 Forest School Assistant (7 Trainees)
## Other Training Courses delivered
- April 2023 - Outdoor First Aid (4 Trainees)
- June 2023 - Outdoor First Aid (8 Trainees)
- October 2023 - Outdoor First Aid (8 Trainees)
## **NPT College 18 tutors 1 day training**
## **Charity Name** : Forest School Swansea Neath & Port Talbot (FSSNPT) **Charity Number:** 1087964
**Address:** Bishop’s Wood Countryside Centre, Caswell, Swansea, SA3 3BS AGM Trustee Report 2023 - 2024
## **Projects**
241 sessions delivered in total for the year, and 15 days of delivery, a massive thank you to all the staff involved with delivery of these sessions. We were fortunate enough to receive funding from the following:
Awards for All - 25 sessions
City and County of Swansea Children and Young People - 19 sessions, Coast funding - 12 sessions
National Playday - 1 day
Communities for Work - 6 sessions
Foster Wales - 3 sessions Myrddin Park - 1 session Wonderfest - 1 day Neath Port Talbot Holiday Playworks - Gnoll Park - 10 sessions
School Work:
Bryn Y Mor School - 26 sessions Dyffryn y Glowyr - 5 days woods and coast Lon Las School - 1 day YGG Tirdeunaw - 1 day Gower College - 1 session 2 groups Seeds of Change - 1 day
Penllergare Special Project - 4 sessions
Pobl Blaenymaes and Portmead - 40 sessions
Coeden Fach - 13 sessions
Home Ed - 19 sessions Riverside Park Glantawe - 11 sessions Woodland Explorers - 18 sessions Seedlings Morriston Park - 22 sessions Enabling Communities - 6 sessions Singleton Park Seedling specials - 4 sessions
Coast and Children & Young People funding required a focus on ensuring children were able to eat during the holiday periods and we were able to accommodate ensuring that healthy food was available at the sessions.
Quotes from the children - pine cones look like a dinosaur and dinosaur teeth. I can’t remember the name.
## **Charity Name** : Forest School Swansea Neath & Port Talbot (FSSNPT) **Charity Number:** 1087964
**Address:** Bishop’s Wood Countryside Centre, Caswell, Swansea, SA3 3BS
AGM Trustee Report 2023 - 2024
**Words from the children**
What they enjoyedBugs animals hunts Challenges in the river Blindfold games Marshmallows Making clay landscape
Finding minibeasts- loads of millipedes, spiders, slugs, worms and a beetle
## Oreo s’mores are good
I’m really good at fire lighting now I love my magic wand I’m making a wand for my little sister
Wow (when doing the volcanoes)
'thank you for all the things we have done at forest school, I have enjoyed them all'
Lots of enquiries about more sessions and regular sessions here for seedlings (Riverside) From a grandma- They’ve absolutely loved it thank you so much
From a mum - please let me know if you have any more sessions soon, my little one loved today, fantastic
Dad- he was really excited to come back to forest school. He loves it
## **Words from the team**
## **Work in Penderi**
This year in my work as a Forest School Leader I have seen how this work can have such a profound and lasting impact on the health and happiness of children and communities. In the community of Blaen Y Maes, I have been working on a site located in a street with many families and children. A parent who lives on the street gave feedback that since I began running forest school sessions there, she has seen the children working together and playing together in a far more collaborative and less competitive way. She also said, “It has been lovely to see them all as a big group playing rather than causing trouble and destroying things.” It is wonderful to see how the principles I introduce in the sessions, like working together and looking after each other, are being carried out of the sessions and into the lives of these children.
Within the empowering, child-centered culture that we are creating in forest school, I have witnessed many wonderful interactions. Watching a boy teaching another boy to tie a knot, I was moved by the self confidence of the teaching child, and his kindness and patience with the learning child. The learning child came away with glowing pride in his work, enthusiastically showing the knots he had made with the nearby adults. I have witnessed again and again that when children are given the opportunity to master simple achievable skills they receive, every time, a boost in self esteem. When they feel good about themselves that has a positive knock on effect, as they are then confident to
## **Charity Name** : Forest School Swansea Neath & Port Talbot (FSSNPT) **Charity Number:** 1087964
**Address:** Bishop’s Wood Countryside Centre, Caswell, Swansea, SA3 3BS AGM Trustee Report 2023 - 2024
share their new skills. This again boosts their self esteem, when they see that they can even be teachers and leaders.
Tom
“I am beyond proud of each and every one of the children! I will do my best to help them continue with the things they have learnt. I have a box in my garden with the game they made, and materials for tent making. I'm hoping to catch them all together to go and get sticks/wood and they can use the box whenever they would like to.
I hear them chanting "PORTMEAD FOREST SCHOOL" often
We literally can't thank you guys enough for coming here, seeing through their past behaviours and problems and letting them just be children. God they really needed these sessions and its paying off! I've also been learning each week and I'm so grateful for the opportunity to see forest school in action!
You guys and what you do is just...amazing ” Lynsey - Volunteer
## **A day in the life of an Assistant**
This year I have been mostly supporting leaders, usually Pixie, to deliver projects with Ysgol Bryn y Mor, Seedlings and the Home Ed group as well as some holiday provision. I also supported Jess during the last half term of Home Ed to do her 6 sessions as a trainee leader.
Pixie and I have been working with Ysgol Bryn y Mor for the last three years. The children have no access to green spaces at school so it's ideal for them to come to us at Forest School in Singleton Park as they can walk there and back. It was lovely to welcome new year 1's as well as working once again with the returning group of year 2's. We also worked with a Nurture Group from years 3 - 6. The groups came on a three week rotation. It has been satisfying and such a privilege to witness the impact that Forest School has had on the children's physical development and wellbeing. It has been especially rewarding to see the impact on the children who struggle in a classroom environment. This has been very evident whilst working with the nurture group who have blossomed in the natural environment where they can direct their own play and activities. There has been so much self directed play in evidence, making hotels, cafes, potions, forts, dens, climbing trees and creating nature crafts with the beautiful blooms and wonderful foliage available, lots of clay creations, trails, cooking on the fire etc. The mud kitchen has inspired teamwork and creative play. The class teacher commented on their creative play and teamwork and on how they are so much calmer than in school.
Some of the children tell us that they come and visit the area out of school hours and have really taken ownership of 'Our Forest School Island'. Even inviting other friends and family to the site who haven't had the opportunity to experience forest school with us.
## **Charity Name** : Forest School Swansea Neath & Port Talbot (FSSNPT) **Charity Number:** 1087964
**Address:** Bishop’s Wood Countryside Centre, Caswell, Swansea, SA3 3BS AGM Trustee Report 2023 - 2024
Having spoken to some of the parents, we've been told that the reception class can't wait to be in year 1 to start forest school with us.
I have also been working with the Home Ed group, supporting Pixie and then Jess during the last half term to complete her six sessions for her leader training. We have played lots of games that were great fun but also challenged the children's critical thinking and teamwork skills. The children come up with so many fantastic ideas and we just run with them wherever possible. There has been so much child led creative play and imaginative games that they spontaneously come up with. Many of the attendees have come such a long way in being able to regulate their emotions, listen to instructions when necessary and can now work together in play and to create imaginative games, dens, crafts etc. They have really come out of their shell and matured during the year.
Charlotte
## **Morriston Park Seedlings**
We have had a successful and lively year of pre school children and their families from SA6 coming to play at our Friday morning Seedlings sessions .
This was run by Pixie Taylor and Charlotte Toft and supported by our fabulous volunteer Katie Rees.
We made use of two areas of the park. Initially and again more recently, our lower fenced site by the duck ponds. Then due to a very wet winter and spring we went uphill under the large beech tree. Both areas offer different benefits - the bottom site is easier to access and has useful tables for crafts and less intrusion from dogs because of the fence. We used this as a safe base but also could easily go out and play under the extensive area of oak trees where we set up the mud kitchen and swings and hammocks and so developed the confidence and independence of the children.
As the wet winter and spring took it’s toll we moved uphill to the top site by the big beech tree. This area isn't far away but feels wilder and more open and lends itself to exploratory play.
The downside was that it felt much colder due to being exposed to the prevailing wind .
However the stream that ran for most of the seasons down through our camp led to hours of happy water play, building dams, making boats, discovering what floats and sinks.
Other highlights of the year included cooking on the fire and learning about making fire safely. Enjoying hot chocolate by the fire.
Playing games and exploring. Lots of free play and adventuring. Swinging ,climbing, clambering. Making mud pies and potions. Muddy painting, natural crafts with clay, sticks ,leaves etc. And making new friends.
Hoping for less rain than last year though!
Pixie
## **A day in the life of an Assistant**
Volunteering with Forest School SNPT has given me the opportunity to spend time connecting with nature while developing valuable practical skills, such as fire-making, shelter-building and leadership skills, all while promoting children's creativity and confidence in natural settings. It provides a real sense of fulfillment to see children engaging with nature, getting involved in physical activity, having fun and making friends, and as forest school volunteers we can help nurture their interest in the natural world. I’ve also had the chance to meet amazing people and form great friendships.
Katie
## **Charity Name** : Forest School Swansea Neath & Port Talbot (FSSNPT) **Charity Number:** 1087964
**Address:** Bishop’s Wood Countryside Centre, Caswell, Swansea, SA3 3BS AGM Trustee Report 2023 - 2024
**WHO WAS INVOLVED:**
## **Trustees:**
Diana Clark (Co-Chair) Tim Orrell (Co-Chair) Gwen Bezodis (Secretary) - resigned 11/09/23 Ria Banscherus (Secretary - 11/09/23
## **Employees**
Charlotte Toft FS Assistant (February 2024) Emma North (Trainer) Jackie Dorrian (Forest School Manager) April 2023 Karen Jones (Training Lead) Katy Gibbon (Training Administrator) January 2024 Pixie Taylor (Project Lead) Ruth Evans (Finance) Sasha North (Administration Assistant)
## **The people we could not achieve all that we have without:**
The amazing team of freelance sessional workers who have helped make all of the above possible. Massive thank you to those who helped clear the site at Llys Nini and help put everything in storage.
**Huge thanks goes to the volunteers who give up their time to support us in more ways than one. A massive thank you!**
## **Partners / supporting organisations:**
SCVS
Nature Conservation Team (CCS)
Childcare & Play Team (CCS)
Cambium Sustainable
Outdoor Learning Training
Network Actif Woods
NPTCVS POBL Friends of Morriston Park Coeden Fach Riverside Park, Glantawe
**Charity Name** : Forest School Swansea Neath & Port Talbot (FSSNPT) **Charity Number:** 1087964
**Address:** Bishop’s Wood Countryside Centre, Caswell, Swansea, SA3 3BS AGM Trustee Report 2023 - 2024
## CLOSING CREDITS
**We would not be where we are now without the wonderful support of the children, young people and their families. We want to thank all of you who attended our sessions during the year.**
## Thank you to our Funders
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**Charity Name:** Forest School Swansea Neath & Port Talbot (FSSNPT) **Charity Number:** 1087964 **Address:** Bishop's Wood Countryside Centre, Caswell, Swansea, SA3 3BS AGM Trustee Report 2023 - 2024
CHARITY COMMISSIO
FOR ENGLAND AND WALE
Forest School Swansea Neath & Port Talbot
1087964
Receipts and payments accounts
CC16a
For the period
from
0110412023
3110312Q24
Section A Receipts and payments
Unrestricted
funds
to th• nèarèst
Restrictgd
fund5
Endowment
funds
Total funds
Last year
to the nearest £
to the nearest £
to the nearest £
to th• n•are¥t £
A1 Recelpts
Grant Income
Proje¢l Fees
Training Fees
Don3tion5
Bank Intorest
Other Income
76.195
76,19S
34,780
23,112
13,915
26,316
24,042
50
34,780
23.112
818
818
168
147
Sub total (Gross income for
AR)
58,878
76,195
135,073
64.470
A2 Asset and investment sales,
(see table).
Sub total
58.878
76,195
135,073
64,470
A3Pa
ents
Staff Costs
Selfomployed Staff Costs
Trav81
Volunteer Expense8
Projeet & Training Costs
Equipment
Maintenance & Improvements
Postage, Stationery & Printing
Telephone
Cornpuler Costs
Insurance
Accountancy & payroll
Office Rent
Membership & Subscriptions
Miscellaneous
34,382
23,9S7
23,023
58,339
23.023
1.602
109
7,938
670
1,855
1,470
38,812
19,953
1,307
150
5,764
1.156
1,602
109
7.938
670
1.855
1.470
835
570
6,053
1,213
4,307
603
1,650
3,958
603
1.650
4,958
1,000
908
512
908
S12
803
138
Sub total
56,197
48.089
104.286
81,061
A4 Assel and Investment
purchases,
see table
Sub total
56,197
48.089
104286
81,061
Net of receipts/(payments)
A5 Transfers between funds
A6 Cash funds last year end
Cash funds this year end
2.681
28,106
30,787
16.591
70,692
73,373
6,815
34,921
77,507
108.294
94,098
77,507
CCXX R1 accounts ISS)
2010912024
Section B Statement of assets and liabilities at the end of the period
Unrestricted
Restricted
funds
funds
lo nearest £
Endowmenl
funds
to nearest £
Categories
Details
to nearest £
B1 Cash funds
Lloyds Bank
73,288
3,632
Paypal
CAF Bank
31,289
Cash
B5
Total cash funds
73,373
34,921
laorea balancés th recelpts and paymant5
account($ll
Unrestricted
funds
to n•ar•at £
Restricted
funds
to nearest £
Endowment
funds
to nearest £
Details
-"Z•a4
Fund to which
asset belon
Details
Cost lopuonall
Currnnt valuo
tlonal
B3 Investment assets
Fund to which
asset belon
Cost loptlonall
Currènt valuè
tiona
Details
B4 Assets retalned for the
charStys own use
Fund to whlch
relates
Amount due
tional
Yhen due
tlona
Details
B5 Liabilities
Basls ol
aratlon
During the year the charitable eompany1041946001 converted to a CIO. This convor5ion took place on 9th September 2019 ènd Ihè charity is only
registered with the charity commission 88 a CIO- charity number 1087964. These firlancial ststemenls have been prepared under the principles ol merger
awounting and on a receipts and payments basis. For disclosu to the user. the comparattve has bgen prepared under the accruals basis as the chanty
W85 8 COrnP8ny for the cornp8ratNe period.
Signature
Print Name
Date of
roval
Signed by one or twslees on
behalf of all the trustees
Oi CL)I£L
2+
INDEPENDENT EXAMINER’S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF FOREST SCHOOL SWANSEA, NEATH AND PORT TALBOT
## _**Independent examiner’s Charity**_
I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the charity for the year ended 31 March 2024.
## _Responsibilities and basis of report_
As the charity trustees of the Trust you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011(‘the Act’).
I report in respect of my examination of the Trustee’s accounts carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carrying out my examination I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the 2011 Act.
## _Independent examiner’s statement_
I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe that in any material respect:
- (1) accounting records were not kept in respect of the Trust as required by section 130 of the Act; or
- (2) the accounts do not accord with those records.
I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
_**Signed:**_
_**Name:** Michael Jones_
_**Relevant professional qualification or membership of professional body (if any):** A_ ssociation of Chartered Certified Accountants
_Address: Bevan Buckland LLP Chartered Accountants Ground Floor, Cardigan House Castle Court Swansea Enterprise Park Swansea SA7 9LA Date: 20[th] September 2024_