Skip to content
Home ed sessions Thursdays and Fridays · family sessions SaturdaysBook an activity

Piper's Pool · near Launceston, Cornwall

An inclusiveforest school inour own broadleafwoodland

Being child-led, our sessions are very much driven by each child’s interests and curiosity.

No screens. Just fresh air, big ideas and wild imaginations!

A kettle on a grill over the stone-built campfire circle
The fire circle
The woodwork area: sawhorse benches and log seats under the big tarp shelter in the woodland
The woodwork area

Woodland friends are hiding all around the site. How many can you spot?

Our ethos

Forest School for every child

Inclusive. Supportive. Empowering. Every child belongs here.

At Dreckly Woods Forest School, we are committed to creating a welcoming, nurturing and inclusive environment where children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) can thrive, connect with nature and be themselves.

Four children sitting around a log stump, whittling and working with hand tools

Ages 0+

Dreckly Dinkies & Discoverers

Small groups

Fun, relaxed and inclusive

Parents welcome

Your child’s happiness is our priority

1.6 acres

Our own secure broadleaf woodland

Who we are

How Dreckly Woods started

Rewind forty-odd years

Rewind forty-odd years and there was a little girl who loved nature. She could usually be found roaming free outside, bare foot with muddy knees. She was happiest catching butterflies or playing with mini beasts, having snail races, or being reassured by her older brother that she could indeed fly.

She collected slow worms and shrews and made mini habitats for them in little boxes. She cared for them, connected with them, and played free. Her dad taught her bird names and tree species and she listened in awe at his knowledge. Only in nature did she feel completely herself.

Then she met Helen, who encouraged her to stand tall, to remember who she was, and to share the dream almost as enthusiastically. So together they bought a woodland, and Dreckly Woods was born.

The idea was somewhere others could roam free and engage with the natural world, because it is so good for our wellbeing when the big wide world can be overwhelming. We don't profess to know exactly what we are doing, but that is part of the adventure of it.

Looking up through the leaf canopy of the woodland on a bright day
Donna, owner and director at Dreckly Woods
Safeguarding lead

Donna

Owner & director

Forest school leader · safeguarding lead · first aid

“I get to be outside and play in nature for a job! … I love seeing children progress and learn new skills and gain confidence in themselves.”

Taught English as a foreign language and ran her own English school in Sri Lanka for disadvantaged children. Took a psychology degree while raising four children. Then a care worker for adults with learning disabilities, and an alternative farm-based provision with children with SEND. Favourite activity: whittling and axe carving. In her words, "I am particularly proud of my spatula."

Helen, owner and director at Dreckly Woods
Safeguarding deputy

Helen

Owner & director

Forest school assistant · safeguarding deputy · first aid

“I love seeing the confidence grow in others and all the wonder that you can create with and in nature. Also the fact that I get to use a chain saw!”

Jobs within the community, and animal care practitioner at an alternative provision. Favourite activity: making fires and den building.

Chief morale officer

Eli

Sprocker spaniel

Our sprocker spaniel, and a particular hit within sessions. He is usually somewhere in the middle of whatever is happening, and for a child who arrives nervous he is very often the reason they stop being nervous.

Eli, their sprocker spaniel, lying in the leaf litter among the moss and ivy of the woodland

Who lives at Dreckly Woods?

Keep your eyes open on the way in. The wood was theirs first.

Fox

seen at dusk

Hedgehog

under the hedge

Tawny owl

heard at night

Oak

and 1.6 acres more

Winter shelter appeal

Help us keep the woodland open all winter

Our tarp shelters are struggling with the weather — holes to patch, and they don’t cope well with rain or wind. Every pound raised goes directly towards our new fire-circle and woodwork shelters, so cold, rain and poor conditions never mean children lose access to the woodland over the winter months.

Every penny raised is match funded by Crowdfunder.

Support us on Crowdfunder

What families say

What families have told us

Word for word, exactly as they wrote them.

“Hi Helen and Donna, just wanted to say thank you so much for this morning. ▮▮ (& I) had a wonderful time in your beautiful setting - it is exactly what he needs so can’t thank you enough. He’s already looking forward to seeing you next week xxx”

A parent, by message

“Thank you so much all my children had thr best time and are extremely excited to cime back next week.x”

Wendy Hirst

“Max is bringing his sleeping bag on Tuesday! He loved it so much. What a beautiful space you have created. Well done ladies!”

Sam Woods

“Dexter is desperate to come back again lol”

Kristina Jade

“I have said it before but will say it again... Can’t thank you enough for what you have given Max this summer. Somewhere he feels totally comfortable and happy. You ladies and your gorgeous forest school are the best. Xx”

Sam Woods

“Lovely people, great atmosphere.”

Tim Coles, on Google

“My nephews went for a forest school experience dropped them off , collected them a few hours later and had trouble getting them away! They loved it so much they wanted more of the experience, den building, mud kitchen, climbing, the duck whistle was the fav! If you hear the quack you must come back. So safe and secure highly recommended xx”

Rebecca Sibley, on Google

“A lovely afternoon spent in the Dreckly Woods. The space is really well thought out, with different areas clearly promoted. Lots of organised small space area, for green woodwork, outdoor gym, chill area with hammock, fire/kitchen area, mud kitchen and dens and a very plush composting loo! Lots of chances for children to choose to play with and mix or to take time out with independent play. A definite hit for my little one - four legged eager staff member Eli! Helen and Donna, very obviously passionate about the woods and creating a provision that is welcoming and inclusive for all. This forest school is newly evolving, and I think has the promise to be quite special given the chance”

Lucy Endean, on Facebook

“We’ve just had the loveliest morning at Dreckly Woods! Everything has been so thoughtfully planned and put together, and I was genuinely impressed by how much there was to enjoy. There was something to suit both of my young children, and Donna and Helen were absolutely incredible — so hands-on, welcoming and brilliant with the children. Both of mine had such a wonderful time and didn’t want to leave! We’ll definitely be coming back without a doubt. Thank you for such a lovely morning!”

Holly Hodges, on Facebook

“My daughter was very lucky to get to spend her birthday at Dreckly woods and have the most best birthday party ever ! From the moment we arrived Donna and Helen made as all feel so welcome ! Instantly the kids were in thier element and enjoyed the activities of den building , bug hunting , mud kitchen making and foraging ! Donna and Helen then hosted hot dogs and shmores around the camp fire ! So many added extras were also included ! It’s been a magical day enjoyed by all ! Thank you very much Donna and Helen x”

Caroline Peck, on Google

“Lovely group. Such a great way to spend time in nature - making friends, learning new skills and having fun. Felt like a safe, supportive environment, with the leaders embracing each child’s unique personality. We’ll be returning”

Joanna, on Google

“My sons thoroughly enjoyed attending the Saturday Ranger Days sessions this summer. The sessions were wonderfully inclusive, with a real focus on listening to the children, giving them choices and encouraging them to explore their own interests. Donna and Helen are incredibly kind, enthusiastic and supportive. They created a warm, welcoming environment where my children felt valued, confident and able to participate in their own way. The creative activities and excellent resources made every session engaging and enjoyable. It is wonderful to see children encouraged to express themselves, try new things and have their voices heard — especially those who may not always have the words to speak for themselves. Thank you.”

00aitch, on Google

Read our reviews on Google (opens in a new tab)

Get in touch

Ask us anything before you book

We answer the phone ourselves — or send a note and we’ll come back to you.