...the story continues...

Arriving in Cornwall in early 2015, I was delighted to find Badger Forest School sessions at our local woods and started bringing my children to parent /toddler sessions. And my relationship with Badger Forest School, now part of the Choose Nature CIC, continues: from customer to freelance leader of various sessions, active team member and now Director on the board of the CIC. As a Forest School Leader / Outdoor Learning provider I have experience running parent/toddler group, 1:1 nurture sessions for children with additional needs and in need of alternative provision, family events and regular sessions, sessions for home educated children, birthday parties and teen sessions. I also worked as a childminder providing outdoor care whilst home educating my own children.

After a trip 'home' to Mayo with my daughters to visit my mum and extended family, my family and I made the decision to move to Ireland in August 2022 and arrived on Imbolc, St Brigid's Day, 1 February 2023. 

I joined the Irish Forest Schools Association (IFSA) and at their Annual Gathering in 2023 joined the IFSA ACORN Committee. I applied for and was accepted on the Heritage Council, Heritage in Schools Panel in October 2023, with bookings through them open since January 2024. In Spring 2024 I will be starting as an assistant trainer on the Level 6 Certificate in Forest School Leadership run by St Brigit's Garden, Galway. As of January 2025, I have been confirmed as a Senior tutor on the Level 6 Certificate. 

It is so lovely to be here in Esker, Ballindine, so close to where my parents grew up and where I spent my childhood summers. Settled here now with my daughters, we have opened the gate to our field and invite the local community in to share in Forest School / Outdoor Learning sessions. I can't wait to share my knowledge and skills, and to learn from those who come. 

It's not a forest yet!! We only have a handful of mature trees, and Storm Éowyn took two of those, but from tiny acorns.... With the support of the Hare's Corner Project by Burrenbeo Trust we have already planted an additional 78 native trees to include native apples varieties and the Burren Pine. We currently also have a forestry application in process. A core activity of ours will be to support nature expansion and ecological recovery. This will be through practical activities and through engaging young people in nature, developing a deep connection in them and love for nature. We welcome thoughts and feedback on what we do here, as want to work with and for the benefit of the local community. 

...and also working from home...

Our Family Team

As the qualified and experienced Forest School Leader, I currently lead all sessions that we run. Supporting me will be my mum, Florrie Griffin, Aunt, Ann McNamara and daughters, Amelia and Niamh. They spent their early childhoods in the woods and on the beaches of Cornwall and are maturing here in the green fields and hills of Mayo.

Our business is building and we look forward to welcoming a new member to the team in the Spring who is working towards her Level 6 Forest School Leadership Certificate. So watch this space...

We welcome volunteers who are happy to complete Garda Vetting and child protection training and applications from those who hold a Forest School qualification, interested in occasional freelance work.

Ellie McEwan

Founder / Forest School Leader

Florrie Griffin

Assistant / Mother / Grandmother / Fire Manager / Needle work specialist

Amelia McEwan

Junior Assistant

Ann McNamara

Assistant / Aunt / Host-Mum / Retired Nurse