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Reimagining Education: Leanna Barrett's Journey from The Welsh Valleys to Forest School Founder

Women's Business

Release Date: 01/20/2025

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More Episodes
In this episode I interview the remarkable Leanna Barrett, founder of Liberty Woodland School, the UK's first fully outdoor school. Leanna shares her inspiring story, from being the first in her family to attend university, to pioneering the forest school movement in the UK, fighting against dissenting voices time and time again to pursue her mission to create a better educational environment for her own children.
 
We discuss Leanna's business challenges of scaling and selling her nursey business, plus the challenges of founding a school with no prior expeience, as well as diving into Leanna's fascinating approach to education, with a focus on child-led learning, and how we as parents can and must support our children's learning journeys at home.
 
This episode is truly an eye-opener, and a must-listen for parents, educators, and anyone interested in alternative education models.
 
Find out more about Liberty Woodland School here
Don't forget to join the conversation with me on Instagram here 
 
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This episode is supported by my amazing partners The SHE Collective - a women’s wellness app, designed to help you feel Strong, Happy and Empowered – SHE As a member of their community I can tell you that their approach works for busy mid-life women. Balancing five core collectives - exercise, nutrition, mindset, nervous system and community – the SHE builds women from the inside out - no more short-term fixes and BS diets, but sustainable wellness, forever. The app features 500 on-demand workouts from 10-30 minutes to do in the comfort and convenience of your own home. Backed by nutritional and mindset advice, and supported by Whatsapp groups to keeo you on track, it's a fantastic way to get on top of your fitness in a way that works for you. Use code WILDER30 for 30% off your first month and join the movement HERE. You won't regret it! 
 
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EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS 
 
01:33 Meet Leanna Barrett: Pioneer of Forest Schools
02:57 Leanna's Early Life and Career Aspirations
09:13 Challenges and Triumphs in Early Education
10:58 Scaling Up: From Nursery to Primary School
13:04 Overcoming Obstacles and Gaining Recognition
19:07 Expanding the Vision: Opening a Secondary School
27:24 Innovative Education: A Day in the Life at Liberty Woodland School
31:47 High Expectations and Student Achievement
31:55 Relevance of History Education
32:54 Memorization vs. Understanding
34:22 Impact of Global Information Access
35:12 Challenges of Conventional Education
35:46 Breaking the Cycle of Academic Achievement
36:17 Parental Concerns and School Choices
38:26 Developing Emotional Intelligence at Home
39:03 Encouraging Passion and Entrepreneurship
45:11 Four-Day School Week and Its Benefits
49:05 Focus on Wellbeing in Education
53:12 Advice for Parents and Educators
01:01:33 Final Thoughts and Reflections