Who We Are

Home Who We Are

Creating different ways to access education.

Teach Outdoors brings together outdoor learning, whole-school development and personalised alternative provision. We work alongside children, young people, schools and families to create inclusive environments and meaningful opportunities to engage, explore and learn.

What Guides Our Work

Our vision, mission and aim shape how we work with children, young people, schools and communities.

Our Vision

A future where every child and young person can access education in a way that works for them.

Our Mission

Learning is not confined to a desk or classroom. We create and strengthen different ways to access education.

Our Aim

To shape educational environments and practice that anticipate different needs, widen access and provide meaningful alternatives to the conventional model.

OUR CORE BELIEF

We change environments, not children.

Our Team

Our team brings together experience in education, outdoor learning, SEND, inclusion and organisational development, united by a shared commitment to creating environments where children and young people can thrive.

Jo Clanfield | Founder & Managing Director

Jo founded Teach Outdoors in 2015, driven by her belief in the power of outdoor environments to transform teaching, learning and child development. Having worked as a primary teacher and senior leader, she experienced first-hand the benefits of taking learning beyond the classroom.

Over the years, Jo has supported schools nationally to develop purposeful outdoor provision through training, consultancy and the Teach Outdoors Whole School Approach programme. Her expertise includes Forest School, Beach School, outdoor mental health, dyslexia and OPAL mentoring.

As Teach Outdoors has evolved, Jo has led the development of its Alternative Provision and Active Learning services, offering personalised opportunities for children and young people who may need a different environment, pace or approach to education.

Jo is passionate about creating inclusive environments where children can build relationships, develop confidence, discover their strengths and reconnect with learning.

Her philosophy remains at the heart of Teach Outdoors: We change environments, not children.

Kerri Connolly | Alternative Provision Manager, SENCO & Inclusion Lead

Kerri works alongside Jo to manage and develop Teach Outdoors’ Alternative Provision, collaborating closely with children and young people, families, schools, local authorities and our multidisciplinary team.

With a focus on SEND and inclusion, she coordinates personalised learning and support, helping to ensure that provision reflects each young person’s strengths, needs and agreed outcomes, including their EHCP where applicable.

As our Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL), Kerri also plays a central role in maintaining safe, consistent and child-centred practice across the organisation.

Kerri is passionate about creating environments where children and young people feel understood, supported and able to develop positive pathways towards their next stage.

Natalie Hauser | Curriculum & Communications Lead

Natalie brings extensive primary teaching experience and curriculum expertise to Teach Outdoors, with a particular background in English, phonics and literacy.

She supports the development of our school curriculum content and outdoor learning resources, helping to ensure they are purposeful, engaging and accessible for teachers and education settings.

Alongside this, Natalie plays an important role in our communications, supporting newsletters, blogs, social media and the creation of content that shares our work, ideas and approach with the wider education community.

Natalie combines her passion for education, creativity and the outdoors to help bring the Teach Outdoors vision to life.

Lucy Toyne | Quality, Compliance & Operations Lead

Lucy supports the development and maintenance of Teach Outdoors’ quality assurance, compliance and operational processes, helping to ensure our services operate to consistently high standards.

Her role includes coordinating initial referrals, enquiries and onboarding processes across both our Alternative Provision and school development services. She acts as a named point of contact for schools, local authorities, commissioners and other referring professionals, helping to ensure a clear and consistent process from initial enquiry through to the appropriate next stage.

Lucy also oversees key administrative processes relating to safer recruitment, staff onboarding, policy review and compliance records.

Working closely with Jo, Kerri and the wider team, Lucy plays an important role in strengthening our organisational systems, embedding robust safeguarding practices and supporting the continued development of Teach Outdoors.

Jen Heppell | Finance & School Platform Administrator

Jen supports the financial administration of Teach Outdoors, helping to manage invoicing, payments and financial records across our services.

She also supports the administration of our school training platform, helping schools access their programmes, resources and training materials, and ensuring the platform runs smoothly for those using it.

Working closely with Jo and the wider team, Jen helps maintain the important behind-the-scenes processes that keep Teach Outdoors organised and our services running effectively.

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