SCHOOL OF CURiOSiTY
Nature-Based Curriculum & Democratic Ethos
Our School of Curiosity runs for 3 full days per week at Rockaway Park (Tuesdays, Wednesdays & Thursdays, 10am - 3pm), offering inspiration and opportunities for children to explore in the classroom, the community forest garden and the nearby woods and quarry. They also have access to the on-site workshops and spaces, where the expertise of musicians, performers, artists & craftspeople can be drawn upon.
Our school is an example of what Rockaway does best - doing traditional things in alternative ways and passing on valuable skills in ethical practice and sustainability, which will equip children with the skills they will need in the future.
For a preview of what children experience, take a look at this trailer on our YouTube channel.
Led by our amazing teacher, Angela Hill (BA Hons, PGCE, MA) founder of Curiositree – Forest School of Arts & Science, the school's ethos is that creativity, collaboration and kindness are central to grow and learn. Our School of Curiosity focuses on developing a lifelong pleasure in learning, whether solving problems, expressing ourselves, functioning in collaboration with others or making ethical or practical decisions.
We see and hear all our pupils, ensuring that they're able to develop their interests and skills, build their confidence and become resilient, happy individuals.
For children aged 8 - 12, and with any educational or special need catered for.
Costs are on a sliding scale depending on income to make it as affordable as possible.
To register your child or to contact Angela to discuss your child's interests and needs,
please click below.
Positive Learning With Creativity, Collaboration & Kindness
"There's been a big change in her confidence, she's happy, chatty, dancy and singy when she comes home."
Prue, May 2023
"The School of Curiosity has been a very important part of helping P out of a very difficult place...he says he can really be himself here."
Mother, May 2023
"Here, my child interacts with other children he can relate to. They accept him for who he is and he learns how to be in this world."
Char, May 2023
First Year of Our School!
January - July 2022
The Story of The 1st Year From Angela
"The first 4 terms of school have been fab! We started in mid-winter in a very cold classroom and finished in a heat wave, so we've all become hardened to the varying weather conditions. We spent most of the winter days out in the woods, as it's easier to keep warm outdoors with a fire and lots of pancakes. Cooking on the fire has been a daily feature of our school life and all the children can now get breakfast together with some sticks and a pancake pan. These are good skills to have!
The environment I create at school balances providing the space to 'be as we are' with establishing clear boundaries to hold us safely. It's a tiny school and caters for all children, including welcoming those with SEN. We keep the classes small, and have had 16 children over the last 4 terms, but not all at the same time. Classes are maximum of 8, which means there's always time for everyone.
We use project based-learning, with maths and handwriting taught discreetly, and we've studied a variety of things, such as:
- Second World War through the eyes of Anne Frank
- Ancient Civilisations, including making model sarcophagi and mummies
- Animal habitats and life-cycles of different organisms
Learning is accessed in so many different ways. For example, embodying the separate parts of the inner ear and interacting as them to bring sound to the brain! In valuing the physical, the emotional and the cerebral equally, the children have opportunities to express themselves and shine in new ways. There is space for the children to bring their ideas to fruition and support each other, as well as giving each other agency to create or direct ideas.
Each day we aim for:
- Fun
- Facing our own barriers to learning and overcoming them
- Feeling good at the end of the day.
If the children can say 'yes' to these questions then we're fulfilling our brief. Confidence has grown hugely over the months and, in some cases, the children are able to do things their parents thought would not be possible.
If you'd like your child to join our school, come and visit us at our next Open Day, or get in touch to discuss any questions about your child's learning."
TERM DATES 2024
TERM 3
9th, 10th & 11th January - 6th, 7th & 8th February
TERM 4
20th, 21st & 22nd February - 26th, 27th & 28th March
TERM 5
16th, 17th & 18th April - 21st, 22nd & 23rd May
TERM 6
4th, 5th & 6th June - 16th, 17th & 18th July
ROCKAWAY PARK
"Would those who say it can't be done, please stand clear of those doing it"