Burwood Forest School

Tree climbing, worm hunting and messy play shaped Burwood Forest School's November 2025 inspection picture: outdoor exploration gave children opportunities to move, investigate and handle materials. Based at Tree House in Hersham, it has capacity for 58 children.

At its November 2025 inspection, Ofsted judged behaviour and routines, welfare and inclusion to be strong, with achievement, curriculum and teaching, and leadership meeting the expected standard; safeguarding standards were met. The children attending then were aged 2 to 10.

In November 2025, woodland activities brought physical exploration together with books, counting and creative work. Children examined worms through magnifiers and explored their usefulness for growing vegetables. Acorns became materials for animal pictures. These were concrete ways to connect discovery with language, number and making things.

The early years foundation stage provides the framework for learning, development and care: play supports children's communication, physical skills and growing understanding. In November 2025, children investigated beneath logs during a treasure hunt and recognised snail eggs, giving their curiosity something specific to investigate.

Outdoor clothing was supplied for every child at that time. Trees and tyres offered climbing and jumping challenges, while messy mixtures encouraged sensory exploration. Outdoor learning involved more than looking at nature: children could move, handle materials and test their capabilities.

In November 2025, settling sessions were adapted around individual children, including familiar favourite toys. Children practised changing footwear and putting on outdoor clothing themselves, making everyday routines opportunities for independence.

Support for communication included speech and language targets, referrals and work with external professionals and the special educational needs coordinator. These arrangements were documented in November 2025. Staff also prepared fruit with children in an outdoor shelter, combining snack preparation with handwashing and safe knife use.

At the same date, procedures for movement between outdoor and indoor spaces had been revised to strengthen supervision. Staff received coaching and regular training, with opportunities to reflect on their work.

The address is Tree House, Burhill Road, Hersham, Walton-on-Thames, KT12 4BJ. Its 58 places describe whole-setting capacity, rather than the size of an individual group.

In November 2025, opening hours were 7.45am to 6pm, Monday to Friday. Those hours describe the operating window at that date.

• Extending learning. In November 2025, Ofsted identified missed opportunities to stretch children's understanding and inconsistent guidance for parents about progress and learning at home. Families should weigh those teaching and communication priorities alongside the stronger care judgements.
• Outdoor expectations. November 2025 activities included muddy puddles, tree climbing and substantial messy play. Consider whether this physical, weather-exposed day matches your child's preferences.
• Attendance arrangements. Which current booking pattern would fit your family, and how does it relate to the opening window documented in November 2025?

The November 2025 picture points to Burwood Forest School as a good fit for children who enjoy woodland exploration and physical play. Its strongest judgements concerned care, inclusion and behaviour. The balance matters: exciting outdoor experiences sat alongside a need for more consistent challenge and clearer guidance on learning at home.