About Lizzie
Lizzie has worked in education since 2004.
Over that time Lizzie has worked in mainstream primary schools and secondary schools, Pupil Referral Units and Designated Specialist Provisions.
Lizzie has worked as a Support Assistant, Teaching Assistant, Outreach Worker and specialised in Social Emotional and Mental Health as a Specialist Behaviour Mentor for Bradford Children’s Services working with staff to provide strategies and techniques to support vulnerable children and young people.
Lizzie completed her Level 3 Forest School training in 2016 with Lily Horseman of Kindling Play & Training.
Lizzie later worked for Get Out More, working on projects for Better Start Bradford and All For Play with the Keighley Big Local.
Lizzie set up Bee Outdoors in 2019 and now works as a Freelance Forest School Practitioner, working and collaborating with schools, charities and organisations to provide them with Forest School sessions on site, outdoor learning and curriculum linked activities as well as staff mentoring who are just starting out on their journey with Forest School.
Lizzie is passionate about supporting children and young people with their emotions and worries. Lizzie has a natural and deep understanding of children with Autism, SEMH and SEN.
Lizzie meets children and young people where they are at ‘on their map’ without judgement and with compassion and care.
What is Forest School?
Forest School is an inspirational process, that offers ALL learners regular opportunities to achieve and develop confidence and self-esteem through hands-on learning experiences in a woodland or natural environment with trees.
Forest School is a specialised learning approach that sits within and complements the wider context of outdoor and woodland education.
Principles of Forest School
These principles were first articulated by the Forest School Community in 2002.
*Long-term process of regular sessions, rather than a one-off or infrequent visits; the cycle of planning, observation, adaptation and review links each session.
*Takes place in a woodland or natural environment to support the development of a relationship between the learner and the natural world.
*Uses a range of learner-centred processes to create a community for being, development and learning.
*Aims to promote the holistic development of all those involved, fostering resilient, confident, independent and creative learners.
*Offers learners the opportunity to take supported risks appropriate to the environment and to themselves.
*Is run by qualified Forest School practitioners who continuously maintain and develop their professional practice
What activities take place in Forest School sessions?
Child led learning
Sensory walks
Foraging
Shelter building
Mini beast hunts
Tree climbing
Campfire cooking
Woodwork
Tool use
Nature art
Games like Hide and Seek, Tig
Fire building and lighting
Puddle and mud jumping
My Qualifications
Level 3 Forest School Practitioner
First Aid (Paediatric and Outdoor)
Fully Insured with Birnbeck Insurance
DBS checked and Update system
BA (hons) Film & Moving Image Production
Nurture Group Network trained
Specialist Behaviour Mentor for 4 years Bradford Children’s Services
Neuro Linguistic Programming Practitioner
Level 3 Education & Training
Level 3 Advanced WILD Passport Practitioner
ALL EQUIPMENT PROVIDED
Bee Outdoors can provide forest school and outdoor wellbeing sessions to your setting, providing all equipment and materials.
All you need to do is be ready for the outdoors!
Lizzie can advise you on how to go about improving your outdoor space making it fit for purpose and can also make the most of small spaces for your sessions.
Sessions run in all weathers, except high winds, thunder/lightning.
Lizzie has a wealth of experience as a forest school leader and as a specialist behaviour mentor, nurture group leader with SEMH and SEN experience.
Outdoor sessions combine these skills and can also help reach children who might need something additional and different in their school day.
Contact Lizzie for a chat about how she can help your school, staff and children
Forest School & Outdoor Wellbeing
6 week programme
2 hour sessions
Up to 15 learners or half a class at a time
Price on request, depending on your site and location
Session times can be flexible based on
9.30-11.30 and or 1pm-3pm
AM and PM
Block booking discount available
Schools must provide a staff member to support the delivery of the session.
To be ready for the outdoors, children and staff must have outdoor clothing suitable for all weathers. Warm and comfortable staff and children make better, happier, more engaged learners!
From November 2021 – we now offer WILD Passport progression learning sessions.
NOT JUST FOR KIDS!
ADULT OUTDOOR WELLBEING
Are your staff needing some time out from the classroom?
Bee Outdoors can help!
Research shows that being outdoors..
Improves your mood
Reduces feelings of stress or anger
Helps you take time out and feel more relaxed
Improves your physical health
Improves your confidence and self-esteem
Helps you be more active
Helps you make new connections
~www.mind.org.uk
Lizzie can provide your staff team with a nature wellbeing day. Contact for more information including prices.
Testimonials
“My son attended one of Lizzie’s Forest School Sessions for well over a year. He has Aspergers and was finding school difficult and challenging. He absolutely loved the weekly sessions and as well as learning new skills, his confidence and self esteem were greatly improved. Lizzie also helped him to improve his communication skills. Lizzie is a great teacher, she has a lovely way with the children and is extremely well liked and respected by the children and parents alike. I would have no hesitation in recommending her sessions.”
Lyndsey Randall
Parent
“I’ve worked with Lizzie professionally and witnessed first hard her amazing skills, passion and patience for all things SEN and how she seeks to understand, support and nurture children with social, emotional and mental health difficulties.
I’ve no reservation at all in recommending this lovely lady to support your child through any difficulties they might be facing.”
Neil Clarke
Russell Hall Primary School
“I have volunteered for Lizzie as an assistant and have always been totally in awe of how she works. She has inspired me to want to make my career in outdoor learning through the positive effect you can see she has on the children she works with. Lizzie is always bursting with positive energy in her sessions, which spreads to those around her, and helps children to develop their confidence, communication and other important skills they need in life. Her bushcraft skills and imagination still amaze me and I would have no hesitation in recommending Lizzie Lee and Bee Outdoors for all your outdoor educational needs.”
Christi Lloyd
volunteer
“Lizzie immediately became part of our team; she shares our ethos and made positive relationships with children and adults alike. She shows a high level of emotional intelligence which enables her to make the outdoors a place for everyone involved.
Our school is located near to the city centre and our pupils have very little access to nature. Lizzie helped the children and staff to make the most of the gardens that we do have, supporting staff development and building confidence along the way.
Lizzie has been very flexible and had adapted and added sessions where we have requested them; e.g time working alongside our DT lead, staff sessions, smaller/larger group sessions.”
Lisa Simpson
Head Teacher
‘The introduction of a Wild Passport was amazing! The children were given learning objectives to complete each session alongside other activities available to them. The children learnt how to build and light fires, build shelters, climb trees, identify trees and insects etc. Some children were worried to try some of the activities which involved fire and using tool, others struggled to listen and work as a team. By the end of session 4 we noticed a massive improvent in the their listening skills, their ability to work together as a team, they were kinder and more respectful to each other, they were more confident and therefore more able to manage risk and make decisions. All of these skills are not only transferable to help with their inside learning , but will benefit them throughout their lifes! Amazing! Thank you Lizzie..”
Janet Iwanczuk
Teaching Assistant
FAQ – How far will you travel?
If your setting falls in the green radius, Lizzie will travel to you to deliver sessions at her standard rate.
If your setting is outside the radius, Lizzie will consider travelling further to your setting to deliver sessions. Please expect a higher rate of pay to for travel time and increased petrol costs.
Lizzie’s ethos is to be clear and open with settings, so that the work delivered can be done to it’s maximum potential.
Contact Lizzie Ellis
For more information on the services we offer, bespoke packages or just to find out more and how you can access Bee Outdoors
Call: 07885588451
Email: lizziebeeoutdoors@gmail.com