A different path, a place to belong and grow

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A different path, a place to belong and grow ~

At MAP our outdoor setting gives children the space to breathe, be themselves and explore the world with curiosity. Whether they are caring for our animals, planting in the vegetable garden or discovering the natural world beside the stream. Natural experiences become opportunities to learn, build confidence and experience joy.

We welcome children from Key Stage 1 upwards who may benefit from a different approach to education. Through nurturing relationships, small groups and personalised support, our trauma-informed team takes the time to understand each child as an individual and support them as a whole person. Emotional wellbeing, connection with nature and hands-on learning are at the heart of our approach. We create a safe and supportive environment where children can feel a sense of belonging, recognise their strengths develop confidence and make progress at their own pace.

How we support children…

Where is MAP?

Children share their learning space with ducks, a gaggle of friendly geese and chickens of all sizes and colours. There are goats, little, medium and big - and some growing pigs too! We have lots of baby chicks to hold who bring so much joy and calm. Children love being able to brush, walk and generally hang out with these inquisitive and funny creatures.

Within our meadow area, we have the vegetable beds and an incredible amount of creative offers. Children have the chance to understand the value of growing, learning about foods, natural life cycles and more. We often use the produce we grow as ingredients in our cooking, as well as foraging for wild foods. These experiences help develop vital life skills while providing opportunities for holistic learning across Maths and English.

Within the woodland, there are areas for the children to explore, including naturally made climbing courses over the many streams. The firepits are often popular when the children just need to sit and be calm or try their hand at cooking in nature. These kind of activities support development of fine and gross motor skills, as well as safe risk taking.

MAP, is at Moorhills farm, within an area of oustanding natural beauty, near to Whitwell. You will find us tucked away at the end of a quiet unmade lane. Hidden amongst the woodland, our setting is filled with streams, meadows and wildlife-rich ponds, offering endless opportunities to explore and discover. And for those who love a little adventure, there’s a hidden waterfall waiting to be found.

The natural classroom MAP provides, with the interactive seasonal changing display, offers children a stimulating and learning rich environment. It is a chance for children to be involved meaningfully in their surroundings. The space to process helps children to explore not only their environment safely, but their own emotional health. For those children who just need to decompress, it is also a space to be truly calm. This chance to take managed risks allows children an opportunity to grow, building both resilience and problem-solving skills.

What a day at MAP can look like…

Our belief is that children can build their own learning journey. How might this look? Well, as every child is unique - it can look very different from one child to the next. Levels of engagement can vary, we know that for some children, just having the opportunity to be calm, process and focus on social and emotional needs within nature is enough. For others, there is the opportunity to access a wide range of learning through nature based activities.

Sessions might include;

Safely lighting fires through different materials gathered from the woods and using different heat sources.
Growing fruit, vegetables and all manner of plants.
Cooking, including sourcing produce from the garden and the provisions nature offers.
Learning safe knives skills, whittling projects, physical creations as well as learning knife law and consequences.
Shelter building, Bushcraft and Survival Skills.
Woodland and Forestry education, including learning how to safely identify different trees and plants. Understanding nature life cycles and learning about woodland animals, eco systems, learning tracking skills and animal identification skills.
Animal Care - learning how to safely and mindfully care for animals, how to hold and touch an animal, brush, feed and provide shelter and food for all the animals on the farm. These learnt skills support and nurture care, love and compassion in our young people in a very natural way.

Further to the provision at MAP, all educators are insured to take children off-site. Visits are always discussed, planned and documented to support their learning. Areas that have proved particularly popular are Binnel Bay, Waterchute Bay, Reeth Bay and Nettlecombe fishing lakes.

The main threads of learning that occur within sessions are: self-regulation, emotional resilience, trust building, risk management, self-belief and autonomy. Alongside core learning being woven into all conversations and activities, we focus on social and emotional skills, creating a feeling of safety, so that children can be ready to learn.

What the day might look like…

We run two sessions; Morning - 9am -12pm & Afternoon 12:30pm - 3:30pm

Morning Transport starts at 9am, return home or to school by 12pm

Afternoon Transport starts at 12:30pm, returning home or to school by 3:30pm

Session timetables could look like;

1st task: Tending to the animals

2nd task: Bushcraft (firebuilding, bows and arrows, raft building) / Problem solving at the stream

3rd task: Fireside cooking / Hiking / Stories in the hammock or Story Circle

There is a meaningful emphasis on not having strict timings on activities. All activities are child led and the day is equally supportive of and balanced around a child’s safety, emotional wellbeing and learning.

I am a mother of 3 wonderful, exceptional and neurodiverse children. One of my biggest pleasures in life has been sharing with my children the way I grew up, immersed in nature. My love of the outdoors has been incremental in the journey I have been on to become an outdoor educator and my journey into bushcraft and learning of forestry and traditional crafts. My work with children in the EYFS framework has helped to shape my own pedagogical approach to outdoor learning. Through really seeing children for their unique qualities, I can build positive relationships and watch them flourish in the rich learning environment that nature provides.


Qualifications and relevant training:
BA in Early Childhood
QTS in Primary Education
Outdoor First Aid Paediatric Training
Prevent training
FGM training
Level 2 Bushcraft 
Safeguarding Children Level 2
Food Safety and Hygiene Level 2
Mental Health Awareness Level 2
DSL level 3

Daisy Parsons

Who is in the MAP team:

Vicky Wells

I’m passionate about working with children and have taught across both primary and secondary settings. My trauma-informed, empathetic approach draws on drama and the arts to help children find their voice and grow into confident, emotionally healthy individuals. As an outdoor educator, I love turning nature into a playground of curiosity and imagination on our beautiful biosphere island. Watching children discover their strengths, build confidence, and embrace their individuality is a true privilege—and the heart of my teaching practice. I’m a mother to three wonderful girls, each unique and inspiring—one of whom is neurodivergent. Their curiosity and creativity shape the way I see the world and inform my teaching.


Qualifications and relevant training:
BA in Drama - 1st class degree
QTS in KS2 Primary Education
Level 5 Diploma- Practitioner: Trauma and Mental Health Informed Schools and Communities 
Post-Graduate Play Therapist (ongoing)
Level 3 Paediatric and Outdoor First Aid 
Safeguarding Level 2
Food and Safety Hygeine Level 2
Prevent Training
Brain Training for Calm workshop series with Penny Crossley
Barnardo’s Cygnet Parenting Course for children with autism
MAYBO training
Advanced Child Protection Training 
FGM training
Regular supervision with TISUK to uphold my Trauma Informed Practitioner status

Debbie Chatfield

I have been teaching science to children on the Island for over 20 years, helping them observe, investigate, and question the world around them. I have taught in both primary and secondary schools and am currently teaching part-time in a secondary SEND school on the Island. We have incorporated more outdoor learning into our curriculum, as nature has a quiet way of resetting minds, supporting self-regulation, and reminding us to slow down and breathe deeply. I am a mother of three wonderful children, each with different learning styles. This has shaped my teaching and taught me to be flexible and adaptable in my approach as an educator. I hope to inspire curiosity, creativity, and wonder—both in the classroom and in nature.

Qualifications and Relevant Training: BSc Earth Science degree QTS in Secondary Science Annual Certificate in Safeguarding Certificate in First Aid Awareness for Educators ELKAN – Alternative and Augmented Communication Makaton Training Kitt Medical CPD Certificate Teaching Positive Connections Lego Therapy Training Certificate in Understanding Risk Assessments Prevent Training Certificate in Allergy & Anaphylaxis Trauma Informed Practice

Alex Williams

I am a calm, colourful and thoughtful educator who believes in kindness, connection and ensuring every child feels heard. I have worked with children, young people and families for 18 years across theatre in education, specialist schools, disability services, children’s social care and outdoor learning. After qualifying as a social worker in 2015, I progressed to managing Child Protection teams and working as a Child Protection Chair & Independent Reviewing Officer. These roles developed my ability to build trusting relationships, advocate for children and navigate complex family and multi-agency situations. I also have extensive experience delivering training to students, professionals and volunteers. As a parent of two energetic children, I bring warmth, humour and lived understanding alongside my professional experience. I have worked primarily on the mainland, commuting for many years, but family life has bought be back to the Island and more flexible working. I am also an independent wedding and funeral Celebrant, alongside forest school work across the Island.

Qualifications & relevant training:
PG Dip in Social Work, Step up To Social Work Programme
BA Hons. in Acting for Stage and Media
Trauma Informed Training
Adoption Training & Support
Forming Positive Attachments
SAVRY (structured assessment of violence risk in youth)
Extensive training & experience working with Child, Young Person and Adult Mental Health
Systemic Practice
Prevent Training 
FGM Training 
CSE & CE Training
Significant Child Protection training in all areas of preventing harm and abuse
Direct Work with Children

What the people are saying…

“Moorhills has been everything this child needed at this stage of their educational journey. The provision has provided a safe, nurturing, and highly supportive environment in which the child has been able to develop trust, build positive relationships, and begin to regulate their emotions more effectively. Attending Moorhills for two afternoons each week has become the child's favourite part of the week, demonstrating the strong sense of belonging, success, and security they experience there.”

~ Recent professional feedback

“The collaborative partnership between school, Moorhills, and CAMHS has ensured a consistent and coordinated approach to meeting the child's social, emotional, and mental health needs. The care, understanding, and therapeutic support offered by Moorhills have enabled the child to make significant progress in managing their emotions and responding positively to challenges.”

~ Recent Client

“My son attended Moorhills Outdoor Learning after being permanently excluded from primary school due to his unpredictable, dysregulated behaviour.

The Moorhills team put in an incredible amount of intensive work to help my son learn how to be safe while still having fun, learning, and developing everyday life skills such as cooking and going shopping.

My son thrived during every moment he spent at Moorhills. They showed him independence and helped him understand that the people around him are safe, care for him, and that he truly belongs. This sense of belonging has been life-changing for him and means everything to us as a family…

…My son will always carry Moorhills in his heart. As a family, we cannot thank the team enough for their dedication, support, patience, and genuine care. The impact they have had on his life is something we will be forever grateful for..”

~ Recent Parent

“The impact of Moorhills has been profound. It has provided the child with the stability, understanding, and tailored support needed to re-engage with education, develop emotional resilience, and begin a gradual return to classroom learning. Without this provision, it is unlikely that the significant progress seen over the past year would have been achieved..”