Our Story

Back in September 2024, I (Abbey) founded the Willow Tree Community Classroom on a mission to provide learning experiences with a difference for children, young people and families who were not accessing any benefit from mainstream education. As a Primary School Teacher by trade, I experienced the pressures and lack of autonomy and freedom modern education provides children and their teachers. An education is a right, therefore access needs to be made for all.

As a lover of the natural world, I knew that one day I would expand my love of teaching to encompass my love for nature. Always finding ways to bring learning outside and getting kids muddy! Building a learning community of well-rounded individuals and members of society, who are educated in real-world topics and skills to increase future opportunities. But most importantly, allowing kids to be KIDS! Making learning and school fun and relatable! No-one enjoys tests and rehearsing facts to spew at a later date. So, why not make learning engaging, future-thinking and interesting.

In August 2025, myself (Abbey), my wonderful Mum, Donna, and brilliant Clare, a fellow home ed mum, came together to create Wanderers of the Wild CIC. We are currently sorting out our own land-based site for our Regenerative Education programmes supporting families in Dorset, Somerset and Devon. We aim to create an educational paradise filled with endless possibilities, opportunities for wonder, and weaving natural connections. We are writing our own framework that encompasses various skills and knowledge that help shape our children to be confident, mindful and connected beings. We weave many core skills - including various mainstream school subjects - into the foundations of our practice, building a community of learning and autonomy. We hope to support many home educating, home schooling, flexi-schooling families, as well as working closely with schools to provide provisions for all children.