Our
Little Bats Story

Let's get outdoors!

Established in 2021, our wonderful Forest School was founded by a small group of passionate volunteers, led by Elanor Gordon. Powered by the belief that being outdoors, interacting with nature and encouraging play can have a transformative impact on young lives, they set about creating an environment in the local Bolton area for children and families to thrive.

Not every child flourishes in a classroom; and not every toddler has access to an outdoor environment in which to explore and experiment; and it is on this basis that Elanor, Alun and Alex began the journey of building a forest school that could make a real difference for young lives and families in the local area.

" Inclusivity is at the heart of Little Bats. Our team, our families and our partnerships are all based on the fundamental value of being truly inclusive to all"

Elanor Gordon

What is Forest School?

Forest school is an educational approach that involves learning and playing in natural, outdoor environments like forests or woodlands. Forest schools aim to encourage children’s curiosity and creativity through hands-on activities, such as building dens, making fires, and identifying plants and animals.
The approach is child-led, and children are given the space, time, and freedom to explore and learn in their own way. Forest schools also focus on building children’s resilience, self-confidence, and independence, as well as developing their social, emotional, and physical skills. Forest schools are seen as a way to encourage children to connect with nature, develop a love for the environment, and to learn important life skills. For more on this, watch this short video from one of the Forest School Association Directors John Cree…