Forest School
We’re proud to offer a dedicated Forest School area at Brearley Hall School, providing our students with a unique opportunity to learn, explore, and grow in a natural outdoor setting. This enriching environment encourages hands-on experiences that foster curiosity, resilience, and teamwork. Whether it’s building shelters, identifying wildlife, or simply enjoying the fresh air, Forest School supports emotional wellbeing, boosts confidence, and nurtures a lifelong love of nature. It’s a space where learning goes beyond the classroom, where muddy boots and wide smiles are all part of the journey.
Forest School
We’re proud to offer a dedicated Forest School area at Brearley Hall School, providing our students with a unique opportunity to learn, explore, and grow in a natural outdoor setting. This enriching environment encourages hands-on experiences that foster curiosity, resilience, and teamwork. Whether it’s building shelters, identifying wildlife, or simply enjoying the fresh air, Forest School supports emotional wellbeing, boosts confidence, and nurtures a lifelong love of nature. It’s a space where learning goes beyond the classroom, where muddy boots and wide smiles are all part of the journey.
Meet our talented Head Chef, Joel
With a passion for creating wholesome, flavourful meals, Joel brings a wealth of culinary experience and creativity to the table. Dedicated to providing nutritious and balanced dishes, they work tirelessly to ensure every student enjoys.
Beyond the kitchen, Joel is an advocate for healthy eating, sustainability, and fostering a love for food among students.
Julia Gravestock
Forest School Leader
We are delighted to welcome Julia Gravestock as our Forest Leader at Brearley Hall. Julia brings a wealth of experience as both an educationalist and environmentalist, with a career spanning over three decades in teaching, community development, and countryside management.
Julia is a qualified Teacher with a PGCE and Qualified Teacher Status, and she has recently completed the National Professional Qualification for Senior Leadership (2023). Alongside her classroom expertise, she is a certified Wild Passport Practitioner, delivering progressive outdoor learning through woodland skills such as ropework, fire, shelter, nature, and woodcraft.
Her career journey includes leading Forest School programmes, establishing a Nature School that ran year-round for three years, and working extensively with national organisations such as the National Trust and the Mersey Basin Trust to promote environmental stewardship and community engagement.
Julia’s passion lies in connecting children with nature, fostering curiosity, resilience, and respect for the environment. With her strong background in environmental management and countryside conservation, she ensures that outdoor learning is not only fun and adventurous but also deeply rooted in sustainability and care for the natural world.
We are excited for the inspiration and expertise Julia brings to our school community, helping our pupils thrive both inside the classroom and beyond, in the great outdoors. 🌳✨
