Layla Marshall – Founder & Forest School Leader
I created Sunshine Forest School in 2017. I am an experienced educator with a lifelong passion for working with children, the outdoors, and meaningful learning.
I began my career as a secondary school science teacher, and for over 17 years I supported young people in schools. During this time, I developed a strong interest in how children learn best, and recognised that not all learners thrive within traditional classroom environments.
My journey into Forest School began from a desire to create something different. After training as a Level 3 Forest School Practitioner, I established Sunshine Forest School to offer children a space where they can be themselves, take risks, build confidence, and develop a deep connection with nature.
Alongside running Sunshine Forest School, I continue to work in education as a post-16 science lecturer at Derby College, and am passionate about supporting both young people and adults to learn and grow. I have also completed a Master’s degree in Outdoor and Experiential Learning, which underpins my practice with research-informed approaches.
Sunshine Forest School Ethos
At Sunshine Forest School, we believe that:
Children learn best through play, exploration, and real experiences
Every child is unique and should be supported to develop at their own pace
Risk is an important and necessary part of learning
The natural environment offers endless opportunities for creativity, resilience, and wellbeing
We follow true Forest School principles, where adults act as facilitators rather than instructors, allowing children the freedom to lead their own learning journeys.
Our sessions are designed to build:
As a parent, I understand the importance of finding safe,
nurturing environments where children can thrive. My own family life, combined with my extensive experience in education, shapes the warm and inclusive approach at Sunshine Forest School. I am particularly passionate about supporting children who may not always feel successful in traditional settings, and believes that every child deserves to feel capable, valued, and inspired.
I created Sunshine Forest School in 2017. I am an experienced educator with a lifelong passion for working with children, the outdoors, and meaningful learning.
I began my career as a secondary school science teacher, and for over 17 years I supported young people in schools. During this time, I developed a strong interest in how children learn best, and recognised that not all learners thrive within traditional classroom environments.
My journey into Forest School began from a desire to create something different. After training as a Level 3 Forest School Practitioner, I established Sunshine Forest School to offer children a space where they can be themselves, take risks, build confidence, and develop a deep connection with nature.
Alongside running Sunshine Forest School, I continue to work in education as a post-16 science lecturer at Derby College, and am passionate about supporting both young people and adults to learn and grow. I have also completed a Master’s degree in Outdoor and Experiential Learning, which underpins my practice with research-informed approaches.
Sunshine Forest School Ethos
At Sunshine Forest School, we believe that:
Children learn best through play, exploration, and real experiences
Every child is unique and should be supported to develop at their own pace
Risk is an important and necessary part of learning
The natural environment offers endless opportunities for creativity, resilience, and wellbeing
We follow true Forest School principles, where adults act as facilitators rather than instructors, allowing children the freedom to lead their own learning journeys.
Our sessions are designed to build:
- Confidence and independence
- Emotional wellbeing and self-regulation
- Social skills and communication
- A lifelong love of the outdoors
As a parent, I understand the importance of finding safe,
nurturing environments where children can thrive. My own family life, combined with my extensive experience in education, shapes the warm and inclusive approach at Sunshine Forest School. I am particularly passionate about supporting children who may not always feel successful in traditional settings, and believes that every child deserves to feel capable, valued, and inspired.
Elizabeth Cooper - Forest School Practitioner
I began my career as a fully qualified graphic designer, driven by creativity and a love of bringing ideas to life. But when my son Fred was born in 2016, everything changed. My priorities shifted and my passion for graphic design quietly stepped aside.
My creativity didn’t.
Instead, I poured it into launching Creation Station, a mother-and-baby messy play class for children from babies to five. It was colourful, chaotic and completely heart-led full of paint, imagination and joyful exploration.
Then the pandemic hit… and once again, I paused.
When I really asked myself what I really love, the answer was obvious: fresh air, muddy hands, climbing trees, child-led adventure. When a lifelong friend mentioned Forest School, something clicked. It felt like all the pieces, creativity, childhood, nature, coming together.
In 2021 I took the leap and enrolled on my Forest School Level 3. In 2024, I proudly qualified.
Now I bring creativity outdoors, blending imagination, resilience and a love of nature to help children grow in confidence and wonder, exactly as they should: through play.
I began my career as a fully qualified graphic designer, driven by creativity and a love of bringing ideas to life. But when my son Fred was born in 2016, everything changed. My priorities shifted and my passion for graphic design quietly stepped aside.
My creativity didn’t.
Instead, I poured it into launching Creation Station, a mother-and-baby messy play class for children from babies to five. It was colourful, chaotic and completely heart-led full of paint, imagination and joyful exploration.
Then the pandemic hit… and once again, I paused.
When I really asked myself what I really love, the answer was obvious: fresh air, muddy hands, climbing trees, child-led adventure. When a lifelong friend mentioned Forest School, something clicked. It felt like all the pieces, creativity, childhood, nature, coming together.
In 2021 I took the leap and enrolled on my Forest School Level 3. In 2024, I proudly qualified.
Now I bring creativity outdoors, blending imagination, resilience and a love of nature to help children grow in confidence and wonder, exactly as they should: through play.
Hey everyone, my Name is Helen and I am 34 years old.
I started my career working for a local sports Charity and worked my way up. I then worked as a Sports Coach for children aged 2-5 across Derbyshire.
I moved to a full time role at Notts County as a Project Coordinator for everything Primary School. Alongside,this I worked as a Youth worker. When the pandemic hit, I was furloughed from work and gained my Level 3 qualification in Youth Work and Mentoring. I then gained my Level 3 Specialist Teaching Assistant qualification. I began a job role in a school and they put me through my Forest School qualification. I qualified in 2021 and have never looked backed.
I started working for Sunshine Forest Schools in the holidays and absolutely loved it.
I ran Forest school at my primary school role and then gained various qualifications- Higher Level Teaching Assistant and Level 5 Certificate in Primary School Physical Education Specialism.
In 2024,I had my gorgeous boy Oakley who naturally loves the outdoors. On a Friday you will see me running the Stay and Play sessions, often with Oakley attending. I also have a sausage dog called Kingsley who is 9 and as a family we love going outdoors on a lovely dog walk.
As well as doing Forest School I run Moo Muisc sensory classes for babies and toddlers and work at Little Moos Play barn in Somercotes. I also work 2 evenings a week as a youth worker… Busy bee!
I love to see children enjoying the great outdoors, using their imagination and trying and learning new skills. My favourite thing about Forest school is lighting fires.. using tools…making s’mores… actually it’s ALL of it!
I started my career working for a local sports Charity and worked my way up. I then worked as a Sports Coach for children aged 2-5 across Derbyshire.
I moved to a full time role at Notts County as a Project Coordinator for everything Primary School. Alongside,this I worked as a Youth worker. When the pandemic hit, I was furloughed from work and gained my Level 3 qualification in Youth Work and Mentoring. I then gained my Level 3 Specialist Teaching Assistant qualification. I began a job role in a school and they put me through my Forest School qualification. I qualified in 2021 and have never looked backed.
I started working for Sunshine Forest Schools in the holidays and absolutely loved it.
I ran Forest school at my primary school role and then gained various qualifications- Higher Level Teaching Assistant and Level 5 Certificate in Primary School Physical Education Specialism.
In 2024,I had my gorgeous boy Oakley who naturally loves the outdoors. On a Friday you will see me running the Stay and Play sessions, often with Oakley attending. I also have a sausage dog called Kingsley who is 9 and as a family we love going outdoors on a lovely dog walk.
As well as doing Forest School I run Moo Muisc sensory classes for babies and toddlers and work at Little Moos Play barn in Somercotes. I also work 2 evenings a week as a youth worker… Busy bee!
I love to see children enjoying the great outdoors, using their imagination and trying and learning new skills. My favourite thing about Forest school is lighting fires.. using tools…making s’mores… actually it’s ALL of it!
