The New Forest Small School (NFSS) in Lyndhurst has been offering a unique educational environment to children for over 30 years.
Founded in 1994 by Alison and Nicholas Alp, the school has grown from its beginnings as a Montessori preschool to become an all-through school catering for children aged 3-16, and offering GCSEs in 12 subjects.
Human-scale education
Visitors to the Small School often comment on the genuine warmth and sense of community which is immediately apparent when stepping through the doors of NFSS. With no uniform, first name terms and mixed age groups, NFSS feels less like a traditional school and more like an extended family.
From its earliest beginnings, one of the strongest beliefs underpinning the environment NFSS offers is the huge value of human-scale education. There is a strong belief that the social, emotional and academic needs of children are best served within small, caring environments where every child can be fully seen and their voice fully heard.
Approach to learning
For those joining NFSS aged 3, learning begins in kindergarten. Loosely based on the Montessori model, this vibrant classroom serves children aged 3-6. This offers an incredibly special environment in which children are given the space to grow and learn in a natural, holistic way free from many of the pressures that so many young children in the UK face at a very early age.
A more formal approach to learning to read and write begins in Class 1 (for children aged 7-9), and children’s academic skills are nurtured gently alongside their social and emotional development through each class in the school. Children leave the school aged 16 or 17 having completed GCSE examinations, which are offered in a broad range of subjects (English, Maths, Science, History, Geography, Psychology, Art, Music, Drama and Spanish).
"The small class sizes give us the opportunity to hear the children's voices in ways that aren't possible in larger environments"
Throughout the school, the small class sizes play a huge role in allowing learning to be tailored as much as possible to the needs of the individual child, as well as in contributing to strong and positive relationships both between pupils and between pupils and teachers. We really value children’s active participation in lessons and the small class sizes give us the opportunity to hear the children’s voices in ways that aren’t possible in larger environments.
Connection to Nature
NFSS is located in the heart of the New Forest National Park, with a gate from the garden into ancient woodland that surrounds the school. This access to the natural world offers our pupils nature play, time to calm and connect with nature at break times, learning opportunities and weekly forest walks that bring the school community together on Friday afternoons.
Herbs, fruits and vegetables are grown within the school garden and recently a connection has been developed with a local regenerative farm, where children have been involved in planting, harvesting and cooking the organic produce grown there.
If you would like to find out more about the unique environment NFSS offers and how they may be able to support your child’s educational journey, please contact them to arrange a personal tour with the Headteacher.
