Meet the team

The staff at Otterhead Forest School have years of experience working alongside young people with additional needs. We all have varied backgrounds and skill sets. Here are some of the team ...

Joe

Forest School Manager

On return from an overseas teaching placement, Joe completed an honours degree from Loughborough University in 2009. Joe began as a volunteer and since 2010 has shared his passion for music production and performance with a variety of Forest School students. Joe has completed his level 3 Forest School training and progressed to the role of forest school manager. Recently Joe has completed mental health first aid training as well as a level 4 qualification in mindfulness and compassion in professional practice.

Josh

Forest School leader

Josh found Forest School through a private company based near bath. He worked there in the kindergarten department and ran holiday clubs for young people aged 3 to 14 for two years. Josh grew up in the Blackdown hills, a mile from Otterhead, and became aware of our Forest School through its locality. Josh joined our team in January 2016 and works with a variety of young people, including groups and one to one programmes. Josh is part of the senior leadership team and completed his level 3 Forest School training.

Harvey

Forest School leader

After growing up in rural Somerset, Harvey graduated from Plymouth university with a degree in physical geography and geology in 2017. Wanting to pass on his love of the outdoors Harvey came to volunteer at Otterhead in 2018 where he has gone on to become a qualified level 3 Forest School leader alongside gaining additional qualifications in safeguarding children.

Rach

Forest School practitioner

Rachael completed three years training in Outdoor Education at Bicton College before working in an outdoor centre for four years. Rachael has also been employed within the care industry working with autistic young adults, some with sensory impairment. In 2010 Rachael joined the Forest School team and has worked with a broad range of students in her time at Otterhead. She achieved her level 3 in leading Forest School in 2021 and has gone on to gain additional qualifications in children's mental health.

Loz

Forest School practitioner

Lawrence joined the team in 2020 bringing with him years of experience in outdoor education and working alongside children with additional needs. Lawrence gained level 3 in leading Forest School in 2021 which he has used in conjunction with his level 2 counselling course to start a project addressing the mental health and wellbeing needs of those working in education. Lawrence has recently launched the otterhead student support scheme, giving young people early preventative support alongside school.

Tom

Forest School practitioner

Following on from a career in sports massage and working with an array of sport teams Tom was looking for a change and began volunteering at Otterhead in 2022. His natural calm and kind approach to children soon saw him as a fantastic addition to the staff team, running games and activities with a wide range of children. He has now been part of several projects at Ottehead, ranging from year 7 team building sessions to running walks for a mental wellbeing walking club.

Lucy

Forest School practitioner

Lucy's introduction to Forest School came from when she was working as a primary school teacher in Taunton. From gaining her level 3 in leading Forest School Lucy joined Otterhead and has been using her skills from years of teaching to help get children outdoors and enjoying what the woods has to offer.

Zoe

Forest School practitioner

Zoe joined Otterhead after a break in working in education and qualifying as a dental nurse. She is experienced in working with children with additional needs and brings a calm and engaging style to her sessions. Zoe has recently gained qualifications in managing behaviours that challenge.