Lewis Ames

Founder - Director - Safeguarding Lead - Forest Leader

-Director of The Forest School Association-

Born in rural Dorset, Lewis has been immersed in the world of bush-craft and practical outdoor skills from a young age. 

Lewis' teaching practice is centered around a holistic and child-led approach. He believes children's natural curiosity needs to be fostered where ever possible.

“...generating ideas for improvement, setting and maintaining high performance standards, mixed in with an enthusiastic and energetic style of teaching. He engages the children using a robust and creative narrative, approaching situations in a novel and flexible way. ” — D. Serle, Primary Academies Trust

Lewis is a qualified Level 3 Forest School Leader and currently holds a certificate in pediatric first aid.

Wem (Gemma) southerden

Director - SENDCO - Forest Leader

Wem is a Level 3 Forest School Leader and qualified teacher. She has been leading Forest School groups from toddlers up to adult, in both woodland settings and local schools, since 2015.

Growing up in Dorset, Wem trained as an actor, then English and Drama teacher, going on to teach for 9 years in inner London then rural Somerset. Wem also spent some years in education within museum and arts organisations in London and Sydney, Australia.

Wem has a Masters in Teaching, focusing on how imaginative activity helps children to progress academically, socially and emotionally. Her interests in music, storytelling and story acting, and nature crafts inform her forest school practice. Above all, she is passionate about play, and facilitating a play environment where children can make their own choices, take risks and develop at their own pace.