our team

Nick Wale is the founding director of Forest Schools Birmingham and was one of the first Forest Schools practitioners in the city. Coming from an extended background in nature conservation, Nick is passionate about natural playgrounds and sustainable school grounds. He works closely in partnership with the Raising Achievements in Kingstanding team, Birmingham Ranger Service, Birmingham City Council and CSV Environment. He is a member of the Birmingham Forest Education Initiative Cluster Group and the Institute of Outdoor Learning. Nick has a wealth of experience working with people in the outdoors. His passion for inspiring people to reconnect with nature is evident in this work.

Co-director Afric Crossan began her career in corporate training then retrained as a teacher in 1997. Since then, Afric continued on to become a qualified primary school teacher, a Forest School Practitioner and a Teacher Trainer. Afric's greatest motivation is encouraging individuals to gain confidence and self-esteem through developmental learning and play in the outdoors. Afric specialises in the Special Educational Needs sector and training practitioners and teachers in outdoor learning techniques. Afric is currently working with Birmingham City Council, Birmingham City University and numerous schools throughout the Midlands.

Forest Schools Birmingham works in partership with a range of fantastic Forest School Practitioners, Outdoor Learning Practitioners, Master Craftsmen and freelance artists to provide an holistic and individual approach towards learning, development and enjoyment.