The Forest School Podcast

• Ep 211: 'Total Observation' isn't helping childhood

  🌳 Forest School vs the Panopticon: Who’s Watching the Children?In this solo episode, Lewis dives deep into the haunting metaphor of the Panopticon—a 1700s prison designed for total surveillance—and how its legacy lives on in modern classrooms, school playgrounds, and even parenting styles.⚖️ From architectural control to digital surveillance, Lewis explores:What “total observation” does to a child’s sense of self 👁️Why today’s children may be observed from wake to sleepThe impact of surveillance on risk-taking, identity, and creativity 🎭How Forest School sites can either replicate or resist the PanopticonPractical ways to foster pockets of privacy in outdoor settings 🌲This is a big-thinking episode, inviting Forest School leaders, educators, and parents to ask:💭 How much observation is too much? And what happens when we let go?🌲 TENTSILE – Transform your site with TENTSILE’s innovative hammock tents. Perfect for Forest School adventures. Use code ForestChildren10 for 10% off at www.tentsile.com🍃 Chris Holland – Discover Chris Holland’s 54-page Plant Guide – a practical tool for outdoor learning. Get 15% off using code FORESTPOD at our affiliate link: https://chrisholland.myshopify.com/?ref=ForestSchoolPodcast00:00 – Intro & glorious sunshine ☀️02:00 – What is the Panopticon? History & design06:00 – Cuba, Castro & 3000 silences08:30 – How schools mirror prison architecture11:30 – Modern childhood as constant surveillance14:00 – Should children be allowed privacy?16:30 – When observation is helpful 👀18:30 – Teachers feeling watched too21:00 – Forest School vs classroom surveillance24:00 – Instagram vs authenticity in outdoor play 📸27:00 – Why privacy matters for relationships30:00 – Class sizes, hedges & playground control33:30 – What we give up in outdoor education35:00 – Personal reflection & closing thoughtsJeremy Bentham’s PanopticonThe Book You Wish Your Parents Had Read – Philippa Perry (referenced in context)Sarah Ockwell-Smith episode on digital surveillanceTENTSILE Hammock TentsChris Holland’s Plant Guide💡 Do children need privacy to grow? Or does supervision help them feel safe?Let us know your thoughts—comment on Spotify, YouTube or email us at [email protected].🎧 Find us everywhere:🎙️ Spotify: shorturl.at/4WdyI📺 YouTube: shorturl.at/3qOUs📻 Apple Podcasts: shorturl.at/FxfMF💻 RSS: shorturl.at/A0kx9#ForestSchool #OutdoorEducation #ChildhoodSurveillance #Panopticon #NatureConnection #ForestSchoolPodcast #ChildLedLearning #EducationalPhilosophy #PlayPrivacy #SlowEducation #AlternativeEducation #SafeRisk #ForestSchoolDesign🌟 Sponsors: TENTSILE & Chris Holland⏳ Episode Chapters📚 Mentioned in This Episode💬 Join the Conversation

  --------  

  38:42
• Ep 210: 👥🧠Groups have memories, but communities have history. 🌲📚

  This week, Lewis is solo in the woods reflecting on a big question: what makes a Forest School site feel alive with history? 🌿He explores the difference between groups that share memories and communities that carry history, drawing on stories, objects, rituals, and routines from nearly a decade of outdoor learning.This episode is packed with practical reflections for Forest School leaders:How to foster a living sense of community through storytellingThe power of leaving evidence of past playWhy your site doesn’t need to be “tidy” to be effectiveHow to embrace rituals that evolve, rather than enforceWhat it means to co-create history with childrenWhether you're building a new site or decades into your Forest School journey, this episode offers ideas to deepen your space’s soul. 🪵✨🌟 Sponsored by TENTSILE & Chris Holland🌲 TENTSILE – Hammock tents that transform your Forest School site into an unforgettable adventure. Durable, practical, and perfect for the outdoors. Use code ForestChildren10 for 10% off at www.tentsile.com.🍃 Chris Holland – Enhance your nature knowledge with Chris Holland’s 54-page Plant Guide—a treasure trove for Forest School educators. Use code FORESTPOD for 15% off at our affiliate link: https://chrisholland.myshopify.com/?ref=ForestSchoolPodcast00:00 – Wonky intros & mic experiments 🎤02:00 – Rocking chairs, baby names & volunteer honouring04:00 – School sites vs embedded Forest School sites08:00 – The difference between group memories and community history12:30 – Inheriting play, space markers, and unsaid rituals18:00 – Nest building as evolving ritual 🌸23:00 – What counts as ‘true’ history in a play space?26:00 – Peer storytelling, deer legends & golden apples 🦌30:00 – Objects as story prompts: woodworking tables, tree carvings34:00 – Funerals for swings & retiring equipment37:00 – History as inclusion: offering belonging through time41:00 – The safety of being one story among many43:00 – Co-creating history, not enforcing itTENTSILE Hammock Tents – Use code ForestChildren10Chris Holland’s Plant Guide – Use code FORESTPODBen Edge episode on rituals (search “rituals” in our back catalogue)💬 Share your thoughts on social media or email [email protected]🗣️ Send us a voice note via Instagram or Facebook!Find us everywhere:🎙️ Spotify: shorturl.at/4WdyI📺 YouTube: shorturl.at/3qOUs📻 Apple Podcasts: shorturl.at/FxfMF💻 RSS: shorturl.at/A0kx9#ForestSchool #OutdoorEducation #ForestSchoolPodcast #NaturePlay #GroupToCommunity #NatureConnection #CoCreatingHistory #StorytellingInTheWoods #PlayBasedLearning⏳ Episode Chapters📚 Mentioned in This Episode🎧 Like what you heard?

  --------  

  42:19
• Ep 209: ‘Forecasting’ or being ‘Triggered’? How do you react to uncomfortable play?

  🎭 Are You Triggered by Play? Why It Matters.Ever watched children playing and felt uneasy about what was happening? Whether it’s rough-and-tumble, rule-breaking, or risky play, adults have deep-seated responses to certain types of play—often without realising it. But is our discomfort helping or hindering children’s learning?🌳 Key topics in this episode:What does it mean to be “triggered” by play? 🧠Why adults react emotionally to certain play types 🔥Rough play, risky play, and rule-breaking: the big three ⚖️How our own childhood experiences shape our responses 🎒Tools for staying grounded and supporting all play 🌱This episode explores how Forest School leaders, teachers, and parents can manage their instincts and create a space where play can thrive.🌲 TENTSILE – Take your outdoor adventures to the next level with TENTSILE's innovative hammock tents! Designed for Forest School leaders & outdoor educators, these tree tents create magical outdoor experiences. Use code ForestChildren10 for 10% off at www.tentsile.com.🍃 Chris Holland – Love nature? Get Chris Holland’s 54-page Plant Guide, packed with essential plant ID tips. Use code FORESTPOD for 15% off via our exclusive affiliate link: chrisholland.myshopify.com/?ref=ForestSchoolPodcast.🎤 00:00 – Intro: Where’s Wem? (And course updates!)🌱 04:00 – The Facebook video that sparked this discussion🛑 08:00 – Why adults “shut down” certain play types⚖️ 12:30 – The difference between pro-social & anti-social play🚀 18:00 – How our own childhood shapes our play responses🔄 22:00 – The power of “forecasting” vs. “overreacting”🎭 30:00 – How to check yourself & avoid shutting down play🌳 40:00 – Building a Forest School space where all play is valid🌍 TENTSILE Hammock Tents – Use ForestChildren10 for 10% off at www.tentsile.com🍃 Chris Holland’s Plant Guide – Use FORESTPOD for 15% off at chrisholland.myshopify.com/?ref=ForestSchoolPodcast📖 Kindling Playwork – A deep dive into playwork & self-reflection🎥 Watch this episode on YouTube: [Insert Link]💡 What type of play makes YOU uncomfortable? Have you ever stepped in too soon? Tell us in the comments or email [email protected]!🎧 Listen & subscribe:🎙️ Spotify: shorturl.at/4WdyI📺 YouTube: shorturl.at/3qOUs📻 Apple Podcasts: shorturl.at/FxfMF💻 RSS: shorturl.at/A0kx9#ForestSchool #OutdoorEducation #ChildLedLearning #RiskyPlay #NaturePlay #ForestSchoolPodcast #AlternativeEducation #SelfDirectedLearning #Playwork🌟 Sponsored by TENTSILE & Chris Holland⏳ Episode Chapters & Timings📚 Resources & Links Mentioned💬 Join the Conversation!

  --------  

  35:38
• Ep 208: 🌳A review of Sandi Toksvig’s Great British Woodland Project!

  Ever dreamed of buying your own woodland? 🌲 In this episode, we dive into Sandi Toksvig’s Great British Woodland Revival and what it really takes to restore a forest. From unexpected costs (£500 for EVERYTHING?!) to the emotional connection of managing land, we break down what this show got right—and what it left out.🎒 Key topics in this episode:The realities of woodland management (spoiler: it’s expensive!) 💰Why Sandi’s journey isn’t just for TV—it’s an education in itself 📺How experts like ‘Pete the Pond’ and tree surgeons bring woodlands back to life 🌊🪵The emotional connection of land stewardship & why it matters ❤️Should humans be kept out of woodlands for conservation? 🤔If you’ve ever thought about owning or managing a woodland, this episode is for you! 🌿🌟 Sponsored by TENTSILE & Chris Holland🌲 TENTSILE – Transform your outdoor adventures with TENTSILE's incredible hammock tents! Perfect for Forest School leaders & outdoor educators. Use code ForestChildren10 for 10% off at www.tentsile.com.🍃 Chris Holland – Want to connect with nature? Get Chris Holland’s 54-page Plant Guide, packed with essential plant ID tips. Use code FORESTPOD for 15% off via our exclusive affiliate link: chrisholland.myshopify.com/?ref=ForestSchoolPodcast.⏳ Episode Chapters & Timings🎤 00:00 – Janky recording setups & rocking chair podcasting 🎙️📺 02:00 – What is Sandi Toksvig’s woodland show really about?🌳 05:00 – Buying a woodland: dream vs. reality💰 10:00 – Why does every woodland project cost £500?!🦉 15:30 – Meet the experts: pond builders, tree surgeons & bat ecologists🌿 22:00 – Should humans be kept out of woodlands for conservation?🏡 30:00 – What to know before buying or managing land🤔 40:00 – Would we have done things differently in our own woodland?📚 Resources & Links Mentioned📺 Sandi Toksvig’s Great British Woodland Revival (Channel 4)🌍 TENTSILE Hammock Tents – Use ForestChildren10 for 10% off at www.tentsile.com🍃 Chris Holland’s Plant Guide – Use FORESTPOD for 15% off at https://chrisholland.myshopify.com/?ref=lwilouig🎥 Watch this episode on YouTube:💬 Join the Conversation!💡 Would YOU buy a woodland? What’s your dream restoration project? Tell us in the comments or email us at [email protected]!🎧 Listen & subscribe:🎙️ Spotify: shorturl.at/4WdyI📺 YouTube: shorturl.at/3qOUs📻 Apple Podcasts: shorturl.at/FxfMF💻 RSS: shorturl.at/A0kx9#WoodlandRestoration #ForestSchoolPodcast #NatureConnection #OutdoorEducation #SandiToksvig #GreatBritishWoodland #WoodlandManagement #Rewilding

  --------  

  39:50
• Ep 207: The Art Of Folk Traditions: A Conversation with Ben Edge

  🎙️ Folklore, Ritual & Art: A Chat with Ben EdgeThis week, we're joined by the incredible Ben Edge, artist, filmmaker, and author of Folklore Rising, for a deep dive into British folklore, ritual, and the role of art in preserving tradition. 🌿🎭From Morris dancing in trainers to building new traditions, we explore how folklore shapes identity, community, and creativity. And yes, we get into the wildest traditions, including Padstow’s Obby Oss, the Garland King, and a Swiss festival of Pretty, Ugly, and Pretty-Ugly creatures. 🦴🐎✔️ Folklore Revival or Renaissance? Why folk traditions are more alive than ever 🔥✔️ Who 'owns' a tradition? How communities shape and reshape rituals 🤹✔️ The Role of Art – Is capturing a tradition the same as being part of it? 🎨✔️ Reinventing the Past – What happens when a ‘centuries-old’ tradition is actually Victorian marketing? 🤯✔️ Morris Dancing & New Traditions – Wem joins a side, learns ‘Gingerbread’, and uncovers surprisingly modern origins 🕺✔️ The Black Shuck Festival – How a modern event became instantly legendary 🐺⚡✔️ Right to Roam & Common Ground – Land access, folklore activism, and reclaiming connection to place 🏞️✔️ The Role of ‘Pretty, Ugly & Pretty-Ugly’ in Swiss Folklore – And why it speaks to all of us 😈🌸Ben also shares stories from his upcoming London exhibition at Fitzrovia Chapel in November 2025, and his newly curated ‘Common Ground’ exhibition in Cheltenham – tackling land access, art, and our relationship to nature. 🎭🏕️🔥 TENTSILE – The ultimate tree tents for outdoor educators & adventurers. Use ForestChildren10 for 10% off at www.tentsile.com.🌱 Chris Holland’s Plant Guide – Get 15% off this essential nature ID guide using FORESTPOD via our exclusive affiliate link.🔗 Follow Ben Edge: Instagram (@BenEdgeArt) & Website🏛️ Common Ground Exhibition (Cheltenham, The Wilson Collection) – Opening Feb 21, 2025🎨 Fitzrovia Chapel Solo Show (London, Nov 2025) – More details coming soon!🎭 Black Shuck Festival – Suffolk’s newest old tradition 🐺📖 Folklore Rising – Available in print, eBook & Audible⏳ 00:00 – Intro: Trainers, traditions & sticky notes everywhere🎭 05:00 – What is folklore ‘Renaissance’?🌿 12:00 – Padstow’s Obby Oss: Madness or meaning?🕺 18:00 – Morris Dancing: Ancient or invented?🐺 25:00 – The Black Shuck Festival: The birth of a new tradition🎨 35:00 – The role of art in folklore🔥 45:00 – How do we start or revive traditions?🎭 55:00 – Ben’s upcoming exhibitions & projects🌿 What folk traditions do YOU love? Have you started or revived one? Let us know at [email protected] or drop a comment!🎧 Listen & subscribe on:🎙️ Spotify: shorturl.at/4WdyI📺 YouTube: shorturl.at/3qOUs📻 Apple Podcasts: shorturl.at/FxfMF💻 RSS: shorturl.at/A0kx9#Folklore #BritishTraditions #Rituals #FolkArt #MorrisDancing #Padstow #ForestSchoolPodcast #AlternativeEducation #SelfDirectedLearning🌲 Key Topics in This Episode:🛠️ Sponsors & Discounts📚 Resources & Links Mentioned:⏳ Episode Chapters & Timings:💬 Join the Conversation!

  --------  

  1:09:32

More Education podcasts

Trending Education podcasts

About The Forest School Podcast