For Forest School Providers
Partner with us to bring Forest School to children and families who need it most
Who Can Apply for Funding?
We make grants to FSA (Forest School Association) Recognised Providers who want to offer Forest School places to children, young people and adults who would otherwise be unable to participate due to financial hardship or disability.
Our funding cannot be used to grow a business. It exists solely to provide access for people who would otherwise be excluded.
What Is FSA Recognition?
FSA Recognition is a quality assurance standard awarded by the Forest School Association. It demonstrates that your Forest School provision meets nationally recognised standards for:
- Qualified Forest School leadership (Level 3 Forest School Leader qualification or above)
- A child-led, long-term approach to outdoor learning
- Regular sessions in a natural, wooded environment
- Robust safeguarding, health and safety, and risk management procedures
If you are not yet FSA recognised, you can find out more about the recognition process on the Forest School Association website.
What We Look for in a Partner
Beyond FSA recognition, we look for providers who share our commitment to making Forest School accessible to those who need it most. When we assess applications, we consider:
- Values alignment -- a genuine commitment to inclusion and reaching disadvantaged children and families
- Safeguarding -- a current, comprehensive safeguarding policy and appropriate DBS checks for all staff
- Health and safety -- robust risk assessments, qualified first aiders, and current public liability insurance
- Experience with SEND -- ability and willingness to adapt sessions for children with additional needs
- Capacity to deliver and report -- ability to deliver a funded project and provide half-termly impact reports
What a Partnership Involves
If your application is successful, you will enter into a formal Partnership Agreement with the foundation. This sets out the expectations for both parties:
What We Provide
- Funding for agreed session fees, 1:1 support, transport or equipment
- A clear Grant Making Policy so you know what to expect
- Payment against half-termly invoices
- Support and communication throughout the partnership
What We Ask of You
- Deliver the project as described in your application
- Submit half-termly invoices with a summary report
- Provide impact assessments showing outcomes for beneficiaries
- Maintain current safeguarding, H&S and insurance throughout
- Return any unused funds
What We Fund
- Forest School session fees for individuals and families
- 1:1 support staff for children with additional needs
- Transport costs where travel is a barrier to attendance
- Equipment and resources to support inclusive sessions
We do not fund general running costs or business development. Funding is specifically for enabling access for people who would not otherwise be able to participate.
Who We Prioritise
We prioritise funding for projects that support:
- Children and young people with SEND (Special Educational Needs and Disabilities)
- Children from low-income or single-parent families
- Young carers
- Home-educated children with limited access to group activities
- Children out of school awaiting alternative provision
- Looked-after children
Our Coverage Area
We currently fund provision across the East of England, covering Cambridgeshire, Essex, Hertfordshire, Norfolk and Suffolk.
Ready to Apply?
If you are an FSA Recognised Provider and would like to discuss a potential application, or if you have questions about our funding, please get in touch.