It takes a village to raise a child- and a child to raise a village’
Kinda Forest School
Kinda Education was founded in 2017 when Mell Harrison connected with Hugh from 'The Missing Kind' to discuss the establishment of a Democratic School.
The Missing Kind takes great pride in Mel and her team's success in developing the flourishing Forest School and Training Centre.
The organization champions equity by promoting a stronger relationship with nature, particularly for communities facing ongoing and complex challenges to their well-being and social connections.
Kinda Education CIC (Reg No 11626237 registered in 2018)
Through careful environmental stewardship, Kinda Education works to balance the needs of people and wildlife.
The school have been Quality Assured since 2020 by Suffolk County Council and since 2023 by Norfolk County Council.
Kinda Education are Ofsted Registered (since 2020), a National Forest School Association (FSA) Accredited Provider and a FSA Endorsed Training Provider.
Kinda Education’s 8 Directions -based on the eight cardinal directions. Each number represents a step on the path towards realising the bigger vision.
1. Kinda Land: The foundation for KE’s work is the management of spaces to balance the needs of people and wildlife. Environmental stewardship. (North East)
2. Kinda Forest School: The on-going development of Kinda Forest School at both Kaliwood and Worlingham Woods. Working within alternative Provision, the home education community, elders, women and families.(East)
3. Kinda Democratic School: KE’s long-term vision is a Kinda School offering an alternative curriculum for children of all abilities up to 16, combining Forest School and indoor learning programmes. The development of a small school (on a third site, yet to be determined) remains a priority for Kinda education. (South East)
4. Kinda Training Centre: KE is committed to expanding the education sector by delivering professional training in Forest School and outdoor learning for continuous professional development.Kinda are a registered training centre with the awarding body ITC First and deliver high quality tutoring for adults to train and gain qualifications. We also offer a consultancy to schools and individuals across the UK. (South)
5. Kinda Community: KE’s vision of education and personal development grounded in kindness will only thrive if it is rooted in the community. KE’s sociocratic governance structure and well-being focus encourage sustainable social change both for those who work within and those we work alongside. (South West)
6. Kinda Multi generational: There is so much for us to learn from each other. To deeply listen and understand the wisdom and opinions of all ages non-judgmentally. KE’s vision for community education has Multi-generational learning at its heart. (West)
7. Kinda Elders: KE works alongside elders to hear their stories and learn from their experience and wisdom. By meeting within nature, around a fire we support Inclusion and social equality (North West)
8. Kinda Opportunity: KE is open to the unknown and the unforeseeable opportunities. This element of the plan focuses on the dynamic nature of our work and the need for kindness in all areas (North)
To Learn More About This Amazing School & What It Has To Offer.
“Children cannot bounce off the walls if we take away the walls” – Erin Kenny.