Charlotte Lucas
Charlotte Lucas
Founder/Manager & Forest School Fan
Favourite tree: You can’t beat a good Horse Chestnut
Favourite forest animal: Badger
Favourite season: Without a doubt, Spring
Jayne Morris
Jayne Morris
Co-owner & Admin
Favourite tree: Cherry blossom
Favourite forest animal: Squirrel
Favourite season: Difficult one, will go with Spring, although I love the extremes of all seasons
Suzanne Hawkins
My career started as a secondary teacher, but my true love is for early years, therefore after taking some time out to start a family – I have two daughters Maisie and Lexie, who are now at school – I returned to university and gained my Early Years Professional Status (EYPS).
Prior to joining Free Rangers I worked as an EYP/Deputy Manager at the Pre School in the village where I live. During this time I trained as a level 3 Forest School Leader and was instrumental in setting up a Forest School for the Pre School children.
I passionately believe in the Forest School ethos and that every child can be a capable and confident learner and that it is our responsibility to give them the dispositions and attitudes they will need to equip them for life in the big world. I am incredibly honoured to be the manager of a team of amazing people that truly embraces these beliefs.
I look forward to welcoming you to Free Rangers and sharing your families’ journey with us. If I can be of any help then please get in touch or pop in for a chat.
Holly Davies
Tim Graham
Favourite tree: Oak
Favourite woodland animal: Bears!
Favourite season: Winter although I take whatever tomorrow brings
An educationalist, folk musician and woodland child at heart, Tim carefully balances an ethos built on philosophy, psychology, music, curiosity and, above all, FUN!! After working in a playgroup that ran forest school sessions, he jumped at the chance to get involved with Free Rangers at the start of their journey and is looking forward to taking each individual on the first few steps in their life.
Ed Harding
Forest School Leader
Fav Tree: Hazel
Season: Spring
Animal: Fox
I decided upon a career in Forest School after qualifying as a Primary School teacher (Primary PGCE from Bath Spa University). It was the perfect opportunity to link my love of teaching and a love of the outdoors and so trained for my Level 3 Advanced Qualification in Forest School Leadership. Since qualifying I have worked in a wide range of places, including Pre-Schools, Primary Schools and other outdoor adventure centres offering afterschool clubs and in-school school sessions for children and adults.
I am joining Free Rangers to continue my love of Forest School with the fantastic and equally enthusiastic staff and facilities there!
Jess Kendrick
Favourite tree – Can I say Christmas tree? I love the smell
Favourite animal – Deer
Favourite season- Tricky – I love the summer but I am always ready for the winter to come, I love a frosty morning.
Hi all, I am Jess and I live locally with my husband and little boy, here is a little background info of my training and why I love working with the early years to help you get to know me a little better….
After gaining my A-levels I attended the University of Wales, Swansea where I completed a degree in Early Childhood Studies, I then went on to complete my teacher training in 2007 and found my passion for educating children and outdoor learning. In 2008, while working within a nursery, I gained my Early Years Professional status (EYP) and realised that the early years was where I wanted to focus my career. I truly love the early years for the freedom it gives you to be creative and give children the quality early experiences they need to learn and develop as individuals. For me nothing is more rewarding than watching a child become excited when they make a new discovery or learn a new skill. I truly believe that the outdoors is the most amazing classroom and cannot wait to contribute towards a setting that, without a doubt, will be full of laughter and confident, happy children.
Val Barrett
Val’s principle role is the Free Rangers’ chef. Val has nutritional and holistic therapy qualifications aplenty and she is passionate about kids health and a balanced diet.
As well as being hugely creative in converting some of the most stubborn eaters to her healthy menu, Val runs the Welton Manor Farm stables and is regularly on site before daybreak attending to the livery. If not serving culinary delights to the Rangers; or leading tours to see the horses; Val will probably be in her vegetable garden. Our very own Mrs Bloom, Val has constructed and nurtured the most fabulous garden allotment allowing the children to learn exactly where their food comes from and how is is grown and prepared. Genius!
We don’t need to ask her where she gets her trojan energy from – it’s obvious: ‘you are what you eat!’
Vince Smith
Fav tree: English oak, more life in its branches than any other native tree.
Woodland animal: Tree creeper…the seldom seen kid.
Season: Spring, for the birdsong.
Vince specialises in wildlife habitat creation and is the master-mind behind the series of bird boxes along the brook that is so regularly trekked by the Fee Rangers toddlers. Currently there are 3 owl boxes; 1 kestrel box; 1 sparrow tower; 9 tit boxes; 1 woodpecker box and a Hedgehog home (aka Hog-i-tat!). Vince also spent many an hour constructing the wildlife pond in the Free Rangers garden. His fabulous nature and wildlife photography also is hugely valued by Free Rangers. Spending hours in prime wildlife location in the local vicinity, Vince keeps us informed of what we might be lucky enough to find in and around the nursery on a daily basis …and has the tracker’s ears and eyes to find ‘em too!
Click on the gallery to see his incredible shots!
