Woodland Pathways Countryside Classroom
Alternative Provision:
Empowering SEND learners through nature-based education.
Woodland Pathways Countryside Classroom
Alternative Provision:
Empowering SEND learners through nature-based education.
Our Aims & Ethos
Woodland Pathways Ltd provides specialist alternative education and wellbeing provision for children and young people from Key Stage 2 to Key Stage 5, as well as adults, with a primary focus on those with Special Educational Needs & Disabilities (SEND), Social, Emotional and Mental Health (SEMH) needs, and behavioural challenges.
Our provision delivers academically informed, nature-based and biophilic learning experiences, led by qualified and experienced teachers and practitioners. Sessions are tailored to individual need and are offered predominantly on a 1:1 basis, with small group delivery where appropriate.
Woodland Pathways supports emotional wellbeing, resilience and self-esteem, alongside personal growth and life skills development, through a trauma-informed and relational approach. The provision also enables learners to re-engage with education, explore future pathways, and develop aspirations towards further education, training and employment.
Provision is delivered both on-site and through outreach, working in partnership with schools, local authorities and families to provide flexible, inclusive and high-quality day provision.
Where We Learn
Our Aims & Ethos
Our Aims & Ethos
Woodland Pathways is based within a beautiful 19-acre woodland setting on an agricultural farm in Shropham, Norfolk. Nestled in the heart of the countryside yet conveniently located just minutes from the A11, our provision offers a peaceful, natural environment that is easily accessible from Norwich, Thetford, Attleborough and the wider N
Woodland Pathways is based within a beautiful 19-acre woodland setting on an agricultural farm in Shropham, Norfolk. Nestled in the heart of the countryside yet conveniently located just minutes from the A11, our provision offers a peaceful, natural environment that is easily accessible from Norwich, Thetford, Attleborough and the wider Norfolk and Suffolk region.
Our woodland classroom and outdoor learning spaces provide a calm, nurturing environment where young people can reconnect with learning. Surrounded by nature, learners have the opportunity to develop confidence, resilience and curiosity through meaningful, hands-on experiences that promote engagement, wellbeing and personal growth.
The extensive site allows us to offer a wide range of educational opportunities, from bushcraft and conservation to creative arts, environmental studies, practical skills and personalised learning programmes. Carefully designed gardens and outdoor spaces complement our woodland environment, creating inspiring places for reflection, creativity and relationship-based learning.
Alongside our on-site provision, Woodland Pathways also offers outreach support where appropriate, enabling us to meet learners in alternative settings when this best supports their individual needs and educational journey.
At Woodland Pathways, our environment is far more than simply a location—it is an integral part of our approach. Every pathway, woodland trail and outdoor learning space has been chosen to help young people feel safe, valued and inspired, allowing them to grow in confidence, develop new skills and achieve success in education and beyond.
Our Aims & Ethos
Our Aims & Ethos
Our Aims & Ethos
At Woodland Pathways, our goal is to empower every child and young person to achieve their full potential, find happiness, and re-engage positively with learning. We believe that every individual has the capacity to succeed when provided with the right environment, support, and opportunities.
We work in partnership with referring professio
At Woodland Pathways, our goal is to empower every child and young person to achieve their full potential, find happiness, and re-engage positively with learning. We believe that every individual has the capacity to succeed when provided with the right environment, support, and opportunities.
We work in partnership with referring professionals to support each learner in achieving clearly defined educational and personal targets. Our provision is designed to build the skills, confidence, and resilience needed for a successful return to full-time education or progression into the next stage of learning.
Learning at Woodland Pathways is purposeful, practical, and meaningful. Through structured, outdoor-based experiences, learners develop key skills such as problem-solving, communication, independence, and emotional regulation. These experiences are carefully designed to support both academic engagement and personal development.
We are committed to:
- Re-engaging learners with education through meaningful, applied learning experiences
- Supporting progress towards individual learning goals and outcomes
- Developing core skills including literacy, numeracy, communication, and problem-solving
- Building confidence, resilience, and self-belief in learning
- Supporting social and emotional development alongside academic progress
- Providing a safe, structured, and nurturing environment that enables learners to succeed
Our Ethos
Our ethos underpins a learning-focused, inclusive approach. We aim to:
- Place learning and progress at the centre of every experience
- Support mental health and wellbeing as a foundation for learning
- Celebrate neurodiversity and adapt learning to meet individual needs
- Provide personalised, learner-centred provision
- Promote responsibility, independence, and readiness for education
- Encourage healthy, active lifestyles that support focus and engagement
- Inspire curiosity, motivation, and a positive attitude towards learning
- Build a strong, supportive community where learners feel valued
Who We Are
Our Aims & Ethos
Who We Are
Woodland Pathways is powered by a passionate, highly experienced team of educators and practitioners who are committed to transforming the way young people experience learning.
Our team brings together qualified teachers (including QTS) and skilled practitioners from extensive backgrounds in education and residential childcare. This depth
Woodland Pathways is powered by a passionate, highly experienced team of educators and practitioners who are committed to transforming the way young people experience learning.
Our team brings together qualified teachers (including QTS) and skilled practitioners from extensive backgrounds in education and residential childcare. This depth of experience allows us to understand the diverse needs of the learners we support and respond with confidence, consistency, and care.
We pride ourselves on offering a broad range of skills and specialisms, enabling us to deliver engaging, personalised learning experiences that meet each learner where they are — and move them forward. Our instructors are not only experts in their fields, but deeply committed to helping every young person achieve their academic goals, build confidence, and realise their full potential.
Safeguarding and wellbeing sit at the heart of everything we do. All staff are fully Enhanced DBS checked and trained to the highest standards, including:
- ADHD Awareness
- Autism Awareness
- Level 3 First Aid
- Safeguarding and Child Protection
- Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) training (on-site)
- Prevent Duty
- Dyslexia Awareness
- Food Safety
At Woodland Pathways, we are more than a team — we are a trusted network of professionals dedicated to creating safe, supportive, and inspiring environments where young people can thrive.
I have worked in partnership with Tom, Andy and Emma for the past five years and have consistently been impressed by their dedication and professionalism. They strike an excellent balance between nurturing support and strong academic provision, ensuring that learners feel both supported and appropriately challenged in their development.
Their approach fosters a positive, inclusive environment where individuals are valued, respected and encouraged to achieve their full potential. They also provide a wide and engaging range of learning activities, thoughtfully adapted to meet diverse needs and interests, which greatly enhances the overall learning experience.
Tom, Andy, Emma and their team are a highly committed, collaborative and reflective team who continually strive to improve outcomes for all learners, and it has been a genuine pleasure working alongside them. Their communication with partners is clear, proactive and solution focused, and they consistently demonstrate flexibility, creativity and a deep understanding of individual learner needs effectively.
Professional Colleague and Partnership (Norfolk)
Many paths, one Personalised journey
At Woodland Pathways, learning is not one-size-fits-all. We offer a wide range of personalised learning experiences designed to meet each learner’s individual needs, interests, and goals — creating multiple pathways to success.
Our provision is rooted in the power of nature. Set within our outdoor environment, learners engage in meaningful, hands-on experiences that support both academic progress and personal development. For some, this includes more explicit learning activities, with structured support in English, maths, and other curriculum areas from KS2 through to KS5.
For others, learning is embedded more discreetly within practical, engaging activities. Whether building, exploring, or problem-solving outdoors, learners are still developing key skills — often without the pressure of a traditional classroom. They may be applying reading comprehension to follow instructions, using maths to calculate distance, height, and angles, or developing communication and reasoning skills through real-life challenges.
This blended approach allows learners to reconnect with education in a way that feels relevant, achievable, and rewarding. By tailoring experiences to each individual, we support progress not only in academic outcomes, but in confidence, resilience, and a renewed motivation to learn.
At Woodland Pathways, every activity has purpose — and every learner can find their path.
Some our learning activities include:
- Bushcraft
- Lego Literacy/Animation.
- STEM.
- Nature Art
- Drone Flying
- Metal Detecting
- Horticulture
- Fishing
- Archery
- Minecraft Education
- Pond Dipping
- Food technology
- Photography
- Willow Weaving
- AI Robots
- Minibeast Exploration
- Conservation
- RC Cars
- BSL
- First Aid
- Creative Art
- Sports
Careers at Woodland Pathways
Helping young people find a different pathway to learning
At Woodland Pathways, we believe that education does not have to look the same for every young person.
Our practitioners work alongside children and young people who may have experienced barriers to education, including SEND, anxiety, EBSA and SEMH needs. Through positive relationships, personalised learning and practical experiences, we aim to create an environment in which young people can feel safe, valued and able to succeed.
We welcome practitioners from a wide range of professional and personal backgrounds. A teaching qualification is not essential for every practitioner role. What matters to us is a genuine commitment to young people, strong professional values and the ability to build consistent, respectful relationships.
Why work with us?
What we expect from our practitioners.
What we expect from our practitioners.
Woodland Pathways offers the opportunity to work differently.
Our provision is based within a natural outdoor environment at Shropham, Norfolk, where learning can take place through practical activities, conversation, creativity, exploration and individual interests as well as more traditional academic work.
Practitioners are encouraged to
Woodland Pathways offers the opportunity to work differently.
Our provision is based within a natural outdoor environment at Shropham, Norfolk, where learning can take place through practical activities, conversation, creativity, exploration and individual interests as well as more traditional academic work.
Practitioners are encouraged to bring their own skills, knowledge and interests to the provision. Whether your strengths lie in education, outdoor learning, bushcraft, horticulture, cooking, photography, art, STEM, construction, sport, animal care, wellbeing or another area entirely, those skills may provide the connection that helps a young person engage with learning.
Practitioners are supported through induction, safeguarding procedures and appropriate training and work as part of a small multidisciplinary team.
What we expect from our practitioners.
What we expect from our practitioners.
What we expect from our practitioners.
We are looking for practitioners who:
- have a genuine passion for supporting children and young people;
- understand that relationships, trust and consistency are fundamental to successful learning;
- place safeguarding and the welfare of young people at the centre of their practice;
- are patient, calm, reliable and able to work professionally;
- are
We are looking for practitioners who:
- have a genuine passion for supporting children and young people;
- understand that relationships, trust and consistency are fundamental to successful learning;
- place safeguarding and the welfare of young people at the centre of their practice;
- are patient, calm, reliable and able to work professionally;
- are willing to work flexibly with learners on a 1:1 basis and within small groups;
- recognise and respect individual differences, including SEND and differing communication, sensory and emotional needs;
- can encourage independence, confidence, resilience and positive self-esteem;
- are willing to adapt activities and learning to individual interests and needs;
- can work collaboratively with the wider Woodland Pathways team;
- understand the importance of professional boundaries, confidentiality and accurate record keeping;
- are willing to undertake required training and engage in continuing professional development; and
- can bring enthusiasm, creativity and, where appropriate, their own particular skills or interests to the provision.
Safeguarding and safer recruitment
What we expect from our practitioners.
Safeguarding and safer recruitment
Woodland Pathways Ltd is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. We expect everyone working with Woodland Pathways to share this commitment.
Woodland Pathways follows robust safer recruitment procedures. Successful applicants will be subject to appropriate pre-appointment checks, which may include
Woodland Pathways Ltd is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. We expect everyone working with Woodland Pathways to share this commitment.
Woodland Pathways follows robust safer recruitment procedures. Successful applicants will be subject to appropriate pre-appointment checks, which may include identity and right-to-work checks, references, an Enhanced DBS check and Children's Barred List check where applicable, verification of relevant qualifications and other checks appropriate to the role.
As part of our safer recruitment process, publicly available online information relating to shortlisted applicants may also be considered as part of our due diligence.
Professional Partnerships & Networks
