Every child learns differently. For some, a calm woodland environment offers the space, consistency and encouragement they need to reconnect with learning and make meaningful progress.

At Hidden Woods, we provide Alternative Provision for children and young people who are unable to access mainstream education due to Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND), Autism, ADHD, Social, Emotional and Mental Health (SEMH) needs, Emotionally Based School Avoidance (EBSA), trauma or other barriers to learning.

Based in our peaceful woodland on the Somerset, Wiltshire and Bath & North East Somerset border, we work alongside local authorities, schools and families to provide personalised programmes that help children reconnect with learning, build confidence and work towards their educational outcomes.Whether a child needs short term support while awaiting a specialist school placement, a personalised transition programme or Alternative Provision alongside their current education, every placement is designed around the individual, not the other way around.

Approved Alternative Provision Provider

• Somerset Council

• Bath & North East Somerset Council

What is Alternative Provision?

Alternative Provision offers children and young people an opportunity to continue learning in an environment that better meets their individual needs.

For many children, traditional classrooms can feel overwhelming, unpredictable or inaccessible. Hidden Woods offers something different.

Our woodland provides a calm, low demand learning environment where children can build trusting relationships with consistent adults, explore at their own pace and engage in meaningful activities without the pressures often associated with mainstream education.

Every session has purpose. We use the natural environment to support emotional regulation, communication, confidence, resilience, independence and readiness for learning, while working towards the outcomes identified within each child's EHCP or referral.

Who We Support

We work with children and young people experiencing a wide range of needs, including:

• Autism Spectrum Condition (ASC)

• ADHD

• Social, Emotional and Mental Health (SEMH) needs

• Emotionally Based School Avoidance (EBSA)

• Anxiety

• Trauma and adverse childhood experiences

• SEND

• EHCP supported learners

• Children awaiting specialist school placements

• Children requiring Section 19 or interim educational provision

• Young people at risk of exclusion or disengagement from education

Every child is different.

Rather than applying a standard programme, we take time to understand each child's strengths, interests, communication style and aspirations before designing an individual approach.

Why the Woodland Environment Works

Nature has an extraordinary ability to reduce pressure and create opportunities for genuine engagement.

Unlike a traditional classroom, the woodland provides space to move, explore, regulate emotions and learn naturally through experience.

Children are able to:

• build confidence through achievable challenges

• develop communication through shared experiences

• improve emotional regulation in a calm environment

• increase attention and engagement through child led learning

• strengthen problem solving and independence

• develop resilience through practical activities

• improve fine and gross motor skills

• build trusting relationships with consistent adults

For many children, simply removing the demands of a conventional classroom creates the conditions needed for learning to begin again.

Our Approach

Relationships come first.

Every placement begins with getting to know the child, understanding their interests and building trust.

Our practitioners use relationship based, child led approaches inspired by therapeutic practice, allowing children to feel safe enough to engage before gradually extending learning opportunities.

Sessions may include:

• woodland exploration

• outdoor play

• bushcraft

• woodland crafts

• campfire cooking

• nature connection

• practical problem solving

• sensory activities

• creative projects

• teamwork

• wildlife discovery

• seasonal learning

These activities are never an end in themselves.

They are carefully chosen to support communication, confidence, emotional regulation, attention, social interaction and independence.

Our programmes remain flexible, responding to each child's needs, pace and interests while maintaining consistent routines that help children feel secure.

EHCP Outcome Focused Provision

Hidden Woods works closely with local authorities, schools and families to ensure every placement supports agreed educational outcomes.

Where appropriate, programmes are designed around:

• EHCP outcomes

• Section F provision

• Individual Education Plans

• SEN Support plans

• Reintegration plans

• Transition programmes

• Alternative Provision referrals

We regularly monitor progress and provide clear written reports that demonstrate how each child is progressing towards their agreed targets.

Working with Schools and Local Authorities

We believe the best outcomes are achieved through partnership.

We work collaboratively with:

• Local Authorities

• SEN teams

• Schools

• SENCOs

• Inclusion Leads

• Educational Psychologists

• Parents and carers

• Other professionals supporting the child

Before every placement we take time to understand the child's needs, strengths and existing support strategies so that our provision complements, rather than duplicates, the work already taking place.

Regular communication ensures everyone involved has a shared understanding of progress and next steps.

Individual and Small Group Provision

We offer flexible provision depending on each child's needs.

This may include:

• Individual sessions

• Small therapeutic groups

• Transition programmes

• Short term placements

• Longer term Alternative Provision

• Supported reintegration into school

• Bespoke programmes linked to EHCP outcomes

Where appropriate, opportunities for carefully planned peer interaction are introduced gradually, always prioritising emotional safety and positive relationships.

Why Choose Hidden Woods?

Schools and local authorities choose Hidden Woods because we provide:

✓ Calm, low demand woodland environment

✓ Child centred, relationship based practice

✓ Personalised programmes

✓ SEND experienced practitioners

✓ Therapeutic outdoor learning

✓ EHCP outcome focused provision

✓ Individual and small group placements

✓ Regular written progress reports

✓ Close partnership with schools and local authorities

✓ Flexible programmes tailored to each child

✓ Approved Alternative Provision provider for Somerset Council and Bath & North East Somerset Council