Out to Learn Reviews

My neurodivergent daughter loves spending hours outdoors with nature, so I was thrilled to hear about Out to Learn’s Forest School during the school holidays! Mike is a great leader and my daughter felt very safe and calm around him and his team. She will definitely come back for more outdoor adventures!

I'm so thankful that we found Out to Learn, Mike is extraordinary with the children, his gentle, caring, kind nature created an immediate connection with my son, it is very heart-warming to see how much he cares for him and how he creates this wonderfully nurturing space where my son feels safe and happy to engage and learn. Very rarely we meet people that are following their true calling in life and I feel that Mike is one of these people. I can't recommend Out to Learn enough.

What a golden gem this project is! My child diagnosed ASD has been attending every half term for around a year now and he always comes out so happy. This is the only place he’s had a consistently positive experience at.The activities are well thought out and engaging for all children with opportunities to learn valuable life skills. The team are fantastic at building self confidence and building an environment the children feel included and comfortable in. They really take the time to get to know the child individually and are fantastic at supporting their needs. All the staff are so friendly and welcoming and you can see they genuinely care. I really can’t speak highly enough of this project and the people involved. Thank you so much for what you do!

My 6 year old son attended this camp for 2 days during Christmas holidays and absolutely LOVED it. I was extremely nervous leaving him on day one and actually sat in the car park for 2 hours waiting until I happened to see my son and the group walking to the woods to start a camp fire - my son looked in his element. That was very reassuring for me. The feedback from both my son and staff was very positive. My son can’t wait until he can go back in the holidays. Never found anything so suited to his interests and needs during the holidays before! Mike and the other staff were amazing, thank you SO much.

My daughter attended all four days of the camp. She was so happy to have learnt new skills and enjoyed her outdoors time especially. The staff were always friendly and helpful and were really accommodating when she was anxious. I'm grateful that my daughter could get active outdoors and have fun even in the cold & rain!

Before joining Out to Learn, for months following deregistration from school my son was very withdrawn with school trauma. He spent days gaming and refused to join any group activities or team sports. I couldn’t even get him out of the house. I was determined to get him into nature and so persuaded my son to do a trial session with OTL. He was immediately hooked! In the ensuing 18 months since, my son has had a flexischooling education, joined an U12 football squad set to compete in Barcelona next spring - and accumulated a wide knowledge of and respect for nature and wildlife, bushcraft, carpentry, cooking from scratch, and teamwork. How did OTL facilitate the return of my son’s confidence? By providing clear, patient, inclusive and well-informed leadership every week, allowing him to explore nature and wildlife in a variety of ways, build meaningful friendships, develop an awareness of neurodivergence, and add to his literacy and numeracy organically. Most of all science, which was always his favourite subject at school, has become even more invaluable to my son after learning about biology, genealogy, physics and chemistry in practice, ensuring an evolving interest in evolution and technology. I cannot imagine him ever stopping attendance of OTL. Mike and his team are wonderful facilitators and I cannot recommend them highly enough. Five stars all round.

Out to Learn are outstanding!! My children love the outdoor activities that Mike, Gwendoline and the team have put together over the years. They spark curiosity, desire to participate, a safe and comfortable environment while being active, connected with nature and having so much fun! My 10 year olds acquired skills not available to them elsewhere and that gave them a sense of pride and independence, which is huge, especially for senco. We need more educational settings like this and the adequate support for them to provide the inspirational attitude for life! Thank you Mike and stay awesome!

I highly recommend Mike Williams. My daughter (10) has been learning from him for 2 years and she absolutely loves his groups. I asked her to describe Mike's teaching and she said "I love it because it's fun and very interesting. Mike is very good at explaining things."

Runs a great group with the kids, mixing science and bushcraft, orienting and social skills

Mike Williams, is an exceptionally gifted leader in education. My son loved his lessons, mainly because they were thought in an interesting, and imaginative manner, because of that he remembers the lessons very well. I would highly recommend Mike, to anyone looking for a great facilitator of education, in a non traditional setting or manner. Highly recommended by our family.

This Bushcraft experience is highly recommended, I took my two along and they both really loved the activities (ring making, fire starting), so did I for that matter! It was educational and enjoyable day out, the host Mike himself is very welcoming and really has tailored this experience soo well, it is both kid and adult suitable. If you want to get out in nature, this is a great start!👍

My 11 and 8 year old daughters have attended Mikes sessions. He is kind, caring and considerate. He has helped my daughters confidence to grow and made my children feel very welcome and included. His style of teaching is inclusive to all and he is very enthusiastic and empathic. My children have learnt a so much with his help and he is a wonderful teacher. We highly recommend!!

Mike is an incredible teacher, warm, engaging, creative and extremely awake to the intuitive needs of children. My girls learnt so much through his practical and holistic teaching style. My children learnt so much, because he allowed them to have space and time to be, to play, and brought real life experiences that matched their cognitive understandings. I can’t recommend him enough as a teacher. My children are very blessed to have had the opportunity to learn with him.

I can't recommend Out To Learn highly enough. Mike and the team are passionate about what they do and have a very special way in bringing kids and adults more into nature, music and creativity. Get involved!

My son has been attending Out to Learn for more than a year now and it remains his highlight of the week. He has had had many adventures, made wonderful friends, learnt new skills, played lots of games and enjoyed various hands-on learning experiences. Mike and the team are always friendly and take a child-led approach. Highly recommend!

My son had an amazing time at, out to learn camp! My son has a tremendous amount of energy and struggles in other camps! This camp catered to his needs so well and he learnt loads while having fun! Also the camp staff were so friendly very in tune with the kids they were teaching! Couldn’t recommend this camp more!

My son with Sen needs attended the summer forest school and had a brilliant time, the staff were so helpful, it was really fun and enriching experience for him. Most grateful.

Beautiful safe space, with outdoor activities for children to experience. Including fire making and cooking, climbing, talks, foraging and much more.

My son has been going to Mike’s forest school for a year now and has lots of fun there! Mike manages to combine a relaxed child led approach with lots of interesting activities and learning as well as making time for free play and adventures!