Forest School

Leanne is no stranger to adventure, spending her winters in the majestic Alps and her summers basking in the Mediterranean, running camps and kids' clubs that create unforgettable memories. For an astounding 13 years, she served as a dedicated full-time Nanny to a wonderful family, bringing her nurturing spirit into their home every day. Her dedication to education led her to become Early Years Qualified, and she holds a Level 2 certification in Forest School, with plans to achieve Level 3 next year. But Leanne's adventures don't stop there—she's explored the depths of the Amazon rainforest, contributing to conservation efforts. Travel is her ultimate passion, and she's always seeking new horizons. At home, she shares her space with two cherished feline companions, and her heart is captivated by the delightful world of ladybirds. Her favourite colours are a reflection of her vibrant personality—green and purple.

Originally hailing from the Black Country, Ansie's not your average teacher; she's a dedicated educator with a passion for empowering children and young people of all ages who have special educational needs and additional requirements. With a background in teaching Drama and Design Technology, she encourages creative learning and exploration. But that's not all— Ansie is also a certified Level 3 Forest School Leader. She's been instrumental in connecting children of mixed ages with the wonders of the great outdoors at Chichester Forest Schools. When she's not in the classroom or the forest, you'll find Ansie enjoying the great outdoors, whether it's camping under the stars, dancing at festivals, or indulging her passion for woodworking. She's all about sustainability, crafting beautiful pieces from reclaimed and recycled wood. Her favourite colour is Green, which perfectly suits her love for nature and the environment.

Hailing from Kent, Danny brings a world of knowledge and adventure to the Forest School team. Armed with a degree in 'Tropical Environmental Sciences,' she embarked on an incredible journey that spanned 8 years across the vast continent of Africa. Her exploits ranged from conservation work to exploring the world of zoology, and she even took on the role of a Safari guide, immersing herself in the wild beauty of the African wilderness. While in Africa, she had the privilege of working at both a Jane Goodall Chimpanzee sanctuary and a Meerkat sanctuary. And here's a mind-blowing fact: Sir David Attenborough himself spent a week at the Meerkat sanctuary, where a daring Meerkat climbed from Danny's head onto his! Her adventures didn't stop there. For 7 years, she served as a dedicated Forest Ranger in the enchanting New Forest, preserving its natural wonders. Inspired by her love for nature, she trained as a Forest School leader and began nurturing young minds at Farley Mount's Forest School before joining the Fairthorne Manor Forest School team. Danny's favourite colour is a reflection of her deep connection with the outdoors—green.

Nalisha is Fairthorne's Forest School Lead Practitioner. With 15 years of early years experience, including 10 years at YMCA, she's passionate about nature and the great outdoors and has a keen professional interest in child development. Nalisha is currently working towards her Forest School Diploma, aiming to inspire a generation of young nature enthusiasts. She is a mum to two teenage children and she has two pet rabbits. Her favourite colours are yellow and green and she enjoys wild swimming and has a musical heart and a love for live music!

Tina has a strong educational background in psychology, education, and business, and she understands how crucial education is. However, she's always had a passion for the outdoors. Through working with children, young people, and adults in outdoor environments around the world, she's been able to see firsthand the importance of connecting with nature. This experience has given her a perspective that emphasises the need to raise future generations with a love and respect for the planet, as well as for themselves and each other.