Covid 19 Update

We are currently working hard to resume some kind of normality for our business. We are busy working behind the scenes to try to bring new sessions as soon as practicably possible. The best way to stay informed of our offerings is to follow us on facebook.

We have updated our Company Handbook which you can view here. We have also put in place a separate document to ensure we are Covid safe which can be viewed here.

We hope to see you round the campfire soon!

What are people saying about us?

for schools

for parents

Who are we?

Wild Souls is a nature based, outdoor education provider with a key emphasis on ‘child led’ learning through play. We are based in Bury, Lancashire and can offer support for schools and preschools within our surrounding area including Bury and Greater Manchester. Founder Lisa McBride, who is a qualified primary school teacher, has a passion for the outdoors and is committed to providing high quality learning experiences for all children. We value uniqueness, allow children to learn at a pace that suits them, and encourage children to take ownership of their learning. Underpinning all of this, we celebrate the natural world and hopefully inspire children to develop a deep and lasting connection with nature.

At our core…

At Wild Souls we have 4 main principles that are woven into everything we do…..

Always be respectful of ourselves, our community and nature.

Approach every aspect of our lives with compassion and kindness.

Understand that our journeys are just that and be open. To know that failure is the moment when new knowledge is acquired and the best way for us to grow.

As we grow use our knowledge to help grow our minds, bodies and souls; to help grow a strong healthy community; and to help create a strong and healthy environment in which our planet, our community and ourselves can thrive, together.

What do we do?

Forest School

Our Feedback
“I didn’t know what to expect but I thought it was fabulous. Wild Souls were really kind and helped us a lot to learn new skills. It was a really good experience. It was a cool fence we made and I was so proud of what we did.”
J, aged 10

“I thought it was a good experience. The fence we built was amazing.”
D, aged 11

Forest School is an educational philosophy that provides opportunities for all learners to explore and reach their potential. This ‘child led’ approach to learning, has 6 main principles at its core. Click here to read about the Forest School Principles on the Forest School Association website.

As qualified Forest School Leaders, we would apply these principles to create a rich and engaging outdoor educational experience. Children will explore nature, engage in responsible risk, be creative and make meaningful contributions to an inclusive learning community.

Nature is at our heart, it inspires us everyday and we would love to share this passion with your school community.

learn more

Curriculum Enrichment

Our Feedback
” The children had a wonderful time preparing for and building the willow hedge. Wild Souls were patient and helpful as they taught new skills and helped the children to be safe with tools and a camp fire. They adapted to the children’s needs, experiences and capabilities so that they could all have a very positive experience. One child exclaimed “It was the best day ever!” as they overcame the difficulties that arose because of heavy rainfall and muddy ground. We would like to thank Wild Souls for a brilliant experience.”
Mrs Fitzpatrick, Greenmount Primary School

Based upon the Forest School philosophy, we can bring you exciting and inspiring curriculum days. Whether it’s a whole class experience, based on a current topic or a focused group of children that would benefit from a different approach to learning, we can tailor an unforgettable experience that will meet the needs of those participating.

Curriculum days can focus on specific national curriculum objectives that you request for example geography skills. Or we can build a session around a scheme of work/topic that the children are currently learning about, for example Vikings, habitats, structures etc.

Enrichment days would focus on well-being, confidence building and creativity. The sessions would be play based and aim to deepen the children’s connection to nature and their community.

Let us weave the magic of nature into your curriculum….

learn more

Children’s Yoga and Mindfulness

The Benefits:

Practising yoga and mindfulness is the perfect way for children to explore who they are in a fun and fulfilling way. They develop life skills that promote a greater awareness of themselves, their community and the environment around them.

It is great for brain development and memory retention. It also improves concentration and attention.

It teaches children how to manage their emotions, helping reduce stress, tension and anxiety.

Yoga builds strength, flexibility and stamina, whilst also improving spatial awareness.

It builds self esteem, improves communication and allows children to explore moral themes and make positive choices.

Is Children’s well being a priority at your school or educational setting? Wild Souls can provide Yoga and Mindfulness sessions for children aged 2-12 . Our session explore stories or themes through movement, breath, song and craft. We introduce children to various breathing techniques that will help them self-regulate their emotions. We will take them on a journey through movement that will encourage both strength and flexibility as well as creativity. We will take part in relaxation and get creative with mindful craft. Take a look below at some the benefits of yoga and mindfulness.

We hope to see you on the mat soon!

learn more

After School Club

Our Feedback
“All of my children have attended the Wild Souls sessions and absolutely love them! Thanks so much “
Kate Wheeler

“The boys have had a fantastic time learning lots of new skills, keeping fit and meeting new friends. Thank you”
Claire Whalley

* Edit* Our after school club at Greenmount is not currently running. We are running after school clubs at other schools for their children only at the moment.

learn more

Wild Things – Preschool Sessions

Our Feedback
” What a brilliant time we both had at Wild Souls preschool sessions. I was looking for something we could do together in the outdoors and these fit the bill perfectly. My little one loved playing games with the friends he met there and with Lisa and Rob. He learnt lots about nature, made some fab creations and always had a tasty snack round the fire on each session. His favourite bit however was using tools to complete different tasks.”
Helen Kay

What is Wild Things?

Wild Things is an outdoor education session that will allow preschool children to explore their natural surroundings and be guided by our experienced Forest School leaders through activities, stories and their shared community.

The sessions will be based on the Forest School principles and will encourage responsible risk taking in a child led learning environment. We encourage the children to explore and learn at their own pace and on their own terms.

Each week the team will bring a theme to the session encouraging engagement with natural materials and enabling a whole host of play opportunities for your child.

There’ll be a hot snack and warm drink for the little ones and obviously a nice warm cuppa for their grown up!

Who can attend?

Wild Things is a preschool session aimed at children aged 2-4 years of age although younger siblings are more than welcome to attend. Please do let us know if younger siblings will be in attendance.

Where are the sessions held?

The Wild Things Sessions are held in the beautiful Holly Mount Orchard in Greenmount just north of Bury, Manchester.

How much are the sessions?

The next block of sessions in 2023 will begin on 5th January . The sessions are held on a Thursday morning at 10:00-11:30 . The next block runs for 7 weeks. The block costs £56 or you can pay for drop in sessions at a slightly higher price. To book a place https://bookwhen.com/wildsouls.

Any questions?

Please do feel free to email us at info@wildsouls.net with any questions or to book a place and we’ll get back to you as soon as we can.

Wild Kids

Forest School for children and young people 4+. These session are for home education families, families that flexi educate and children who are struggling to access mainstream education for whatever reason. We aim to provide a safe, nurturing place where children and young people can explore and discover, connect with other children and young people and connect with nature. Both Lisa and Charlotte are experienced Forest School Leaders and during these session we will facilitate the children’s learning, not dictate it. We value a play based, child led approach and encourage children to explore their surroundings, take responsible risks and celebrate nature.

We will provide a hot drink and a snack and there will be a hot brew for adults if they wish to stay with their child. Staying with you child is your choice.

These sessions will run term time only (and for this term we are reducing sessions to bi-weekly) at Holly Mount Orchard on a Thursday afternoon 12:30 to 2:00. The sessions can be block booked, £32 per family (1 adult and 3 children max) for a 4 (bi)week term or you can pay for weekly at a slightly higher price. To book your place, please follow the link. Any questions, please email Lisa at info@wildsouls.net
https://bookwhen.com/wildsouls

learn more

Forest Camp

Our Feedback
“I was keen to enrich my two boys’ summer holiday experience with something that would help them to build confidence and interpersonal skills in an environment that was encouraging of independent play. We found this ten-fold at Wild Souls – such a warm, inclusive and friendly camp that my boys looked forward to so much every day – at the end of the week, the group had really bonded. I’d sign up again in a flash. Thanks Lisa ! “
Suzanne Byrne

The dates for our next Forest Camp will be released soon, however we aim to run some dates at February half term, Easter and of course the summer holidays. Please follow us on Facebook and Instagram for more regular updates.
https://bookwhen.com/wildsouls

Our fun packed Forest camp, offers children more time to invest in the Forest School experience. We will play games, cook around the campfire, become nature detectives, get creative with nature based crafts, solve problems, use tools safely, make fires to name but a few things. The emphasis will always be a ‘child led’ approach, so the camp will go where the children want to take it. The children will be responsible for creating an inclusive community, which echoes our core values; love, respect, learn and grow, we are there to facilitate this in a caring, non-competitive way. There will be more time for the children to reflect on their learning, learn from their failures and celebrate their successes. A camp not to be missed!

learn more

Where do we do it….our place?

Holly Mount Orchard is a picturesque heritage orchard, planted in the early 1900’s. After years of neglect, it is being lovingly restored by Incredible Edible Ramsbottom, an inspiring team of volunteers. It’s a truly magical place, the perfect setting for our Preschool sessions.

We currently host an after school club at Greenmount Primary School and are working very closely to deliver natural learning environments and to help bring the Forest School ethos into their curriculum.

Greenmount Primary School

Holhouse Lane

Bury, BL8 4HD

More coming soon….

Or yours?

We can accommodate group bookings at any of the sites above or we can come to you if you have a space in mind.

learn more

Want to find out more?

Thank you for your interest in our business. Please get in touch with us using the form below with any questions you may have. We are also available to come in and meet your team to see how we can help with your school, again, just drop us a message below to arrange this.

Many thanks

Lisa McBride

FAQ’s

What is Forest School?

Where do you run the sessions?

We have different sites setup from which we can accommodate group bookings. Details of these sites can be found here. We can also come to you and run sessions in your setting. Please contact us for more information.

What are the costs?

We try to keep our prices as low as possible in order to ensure accessibility for all. Please do bare in mind we do incorporate food and craft materials into all of our sessions all of which is inclusive in the price. For school enquiries please contact us and ask for our rate card which we will forward to you. For parents please contact us and let us know the specific sessions you are interested in and we will let you know the prices.

What child safeguarding and first aid procedures are in place?

All of our staff undergo full annual DBS checks and biannual child safeguarding training. There will be a fully qualified outdoor first aider at every single session. For more information on our policies and procedures please contact us and request a pdf copy of our handbook and we will gladly email one across.

What should I bring to the sessions?

All of our sessions are run outside, whatever the weather. So, clothing will vary dramatically over the different seasons. Please see the table below.