About us!

Lynne Shersby

I am the Director and Forest School Leader of the ‘South Downs Forest school’.

I live locally and hold the Forest School Leaders Level 3 Award, a current Outdoor First Aid Award and Paediatric First Aid qualifications, Level 2 Outdoor Food Safety Certificate and have an enhanced DBS check. I have a real passion for being outdoors, working with young people and see the huge benefits of connecting them to the wonderful, nurturing and natural environment around us. I started the ‘South Downs Forest School C.I.C.’ (which is a non-profit organisation) in November 2020.

I was born and went to school in North London and moved down to Sussex to train as a secondary school Physical Education/ Dance teacher. I have a B.Ed. (Hons) degree, a Post Graduate Diploma in Specific Learning Difficulties, as well as other qualifications such as Certificates in Counselling, Psychology, Sensory and Autism Awareness and am currently completing a course in Understanding Children and Young People’s Mental Health, run by Chichester University. I have been teaching for over 30 years, teaching a range of subjects, in a variety of educational sectors including working many years with children with SEND. I have managed different departments within schools, as well as teaching, and was responsible for setting up a training centre/ cafe for young people with learning disabilities from age 18 to 25 in Brighton, before working in Forest School. My passion is working with children from disadvantaged/ vulnerable backgrounds and I have and continue to run Forest School sessions for these young people including those from local children’s homes and children eligible for Pupil Premium.

I have always been interested in nature and have a thirst to discover and learn about what is around us. I have loved being outdoors since a child and travel around the countryside and France with my family, in my old VW campervan whenever I have the opportunity! I decided to set up this exciting new venture, after qualifying as a Forest School Leader and after being truly inspired (by working initially in a voluntary capacity), by the huge holistic benefits for young people when learning outdoors and connecting with nature.

Sami Farnsworth

I am a Forest School Leader at ‘South Downs Forest School’. I hold the Forest School Leaders Level 3 Award, Playwork Level 3 Award, a current oudoor paediatric First Aid Award, and have an enhanced DBS check. As an evolutionary playworker, I support play as the natural learning mechanism. Forest school enables play-rich learning & can be a self-development experience.

I have led forest school for family groups, disadvantaged children & the home education community. I have worked as an inclusion playworker at holiday playschemes, after-school clubs & I ran a home-ed stay & play. I have worked 1:1 with children with SMLD. I hold level 2 awards in Undertanding Autism, Understanding Children’s Mental Health, Behaviour that Challenges & Understanding Learning Difficulties.

I ran my drama company ActAble for 10 years, facilitating sessions for children, schools, adults with learning disabilities, GCSE students, refugees & people experiencing homelessness. In particular I built a positive reputation for supporting neurodivergent children in both Brighton & Newhaven.

I hold a degree in Acting & worked in children’s educational theatre touring the UK. I have tutored children to achieve LAMDA acting qualifications & multiple students got recognised on the gifted & talented programme at school due to my tutorage. I also ran successful children’s party company Zip Zap Boing for multiple years & recently revived my role to facilitate forest school birthday parties.