THE GARDEN CLASSROOM

Name

THE GARDEN CLASSROOM

Legal name

The Garden Classroom

Website

https://thegardenclassroom.org.uk

Company type

Private

Founded year

2008

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Outdoor Education and Nature-Based Learning

NAICS

Educational Support Services (611710), All Other Schools and Instruction (61169), Sports and Recreation Instruction (61162)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Outdoor & Wilderness Education Schools (Field-Based Learning) (THAAAOAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Nature-Based / Forest School Early Learning Programs (EDACADAD), Science Camps & Field Programs (Nature, Space, Marine, Geology) (EDAMABAB), Outdoor / Nature-Based Nursery & Forest Playgroups (EDACACAH)

Keywords

• Outdoor education
• Forest school training
• Nature-based learning
• Environmental education
• School workshops

Headquarters

HQ city

London

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Charitable Donations and Grants: Donations from charitable trusts and grant-giving bodies account for 70% of TGC's income. This includes funding from trusts, foundations, lottery funding, and local authority grants.
2. Programme Fees: Fees from schools for curriculum-linked learning sessions, Urban Forest School programmes, and countryside residentials. Also includes fees from corporate team-building experiences and training courses.
3. Individual Donations: One-off and recurring donations from individuals, with options for specific amounts (£5, £10, £25) tied to specific outcomes.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

The Garden Classroom is a registered charity delivering outdoor, nature-based education across Greater London, Kent and Sussex. Its portfolio spans four service areas: school programmes (Urban Forest School, curriculum-linked learning, countryside residentials, INSET/CPD), accredited Forest School training (Level 2/3 and First Aid), free community sessions (Little Seedlings, Green Guardians, Wellbeing Walks, Secret Garden Theatre Project), and corporate experiences including team building, Social Value delivery and Sponsor a School.

Product overview

The Garden Classroom (TGC) is a multi-award-winning outdoor education charity offering nature connection programmes across Greater London, Kent, and Sussex. The portfolio comprises four interconnected service areas: Schools programmes (Urban Forest School, Curriculum-Linked Learning, Countryside Residentials, and Bespoke INSET/CPD) that deliver hands-on outdoor education; Training & Workshops (Forest School Training and Forest School First Aid) providing accredited qualifications; Community programmes (Little Seedlings, Green Guardians, Wellbeing Walks, and Secret Garden Theatre Project) serving families, seniors, and youth; and Corporate services (Corporate Events, Social Value Ready, and Sponsor a School) for team building and CSR purposes. The Urban Forest School programme serves as the flagship offering, with Forest School Training providing the qualification pathway for practitioners. Sustainability & Climate Change Education and the Wonderful World of Bees Workshop are specialised additions addressing specific curriculum needs.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Urban Forest School Child-centred nature immersion programme delivering regular 2-hour outdoor sessions for EYFS, KS1, and KS2 classes in green spaces near schools. Provides 10 sessions per term (30 per year) led by Level 3 qualified Forest School practitioners, covering fire making, tool use, plant identification and shelter building. Pricing is £1,250 per term for 10 sessions or £3,750 per year for 30 sessions for a class of up to 30 children.
• Curriculum-Linked Learning Outdoor learning sessions aligned to national curriculum objectives across EYFS, KS1 and KS2, covering science, geography, history, literacy and food technology, delivered in local parks and gardens. Includes half-day and full-day formats at £150 per 2-hour session with discounts for 10-session bookings, and full-day Bee Workshops at £250 (KS2) or £150 half-day KS1.
• Countryside Day Visits and Residentials Nature connection residentials and day visits to countryside locations in Kent and Sussex, including coastal residentials at Seven Sisters (South Downs National Park), woodland camping at Hobbs Hill, farming days at Falconhurst Farm, and wild camp experiences at Ryewell Woods. Delivered in partnership with landowners including South Downs National Park and Falconhurst Farm.
• Bespoke INSET & CPD for Schools Tailored professional development sessions for school staff covering Forest School taster days, LiNE training, sustainability and climate change education, nature connection, and gardening confidence, delivered on school sites or local green spaces.
• Forest School Training (Level 2 & Level 3) Accredited Forest School Leader (Level 3) and Assistant (Level 2) training courses certified by ITC First and endorsed by the Forest School Association. London's only FSA-Endorsed training, delivered by in-house trainer Richard Skrein, featuring immersive training weeks and practical skills development for adults aged 19+ seeking qualifications.
• Forest School First Aid Two-day (16-hour) outdoor first aid course accredited by ITC First covering roles and responsibilities, treatment of adults, children and infants, outdoor-specific scenarios, and incident management, leading to a 3-year certificate. £190 for the 2-day course, with an additional £50 for the Level 3 Award in Paediatric First Aid (£240 total).
• Little Seedlings Free weekly drop-in nature discovery and play sessions for children aged 0-5 with parents and carers, held multiple times per week across Islington locations including Barnard Park, River Lea Place at Hackney Marshes, Whittington Park, and Highbury Fields Wildlife Garden.
• Green Guardians Free weekly gardening groups held at Market Road Garden, Newington Green, and Whittington Park, where volunteers help increase biodiversity and create wildlife habitats with tools, guidance and refreshments provided.
• Wellbeing Walks Gentle guided walks in Islington parks designed for people aged 50+, featuring mindful nature connection moments, running approximately 1 hour at a gentle pace with light refreshments at the end.
• Secret Garden Theatre Project Summer holiday programme for 8-16 year olds where participants create an open-air Shakespeare performance in one week, including prop and costume making, held at King Henry's Walk Garden. £150 per child for the 5-day project, with subsidised places available.
• Corporate Events & Experiences Team building away days and corporate events including urban beekeeping experiences, fire craft workshops, adult Forest School, biodiversity gardening sessions, countryside conservation in Kent, bell tent camping, and away days with vegetarian catering. Pricing is bespoke and quoted per engagement.
• Social Value Ready Programme helping corporate clients deliver social value commitments through TGC's nature connection projects, providing impact measurement, case studies, and alignment with themes including community, work, economy, and planet for tender submissions.
• Sponsor a School Corporate sponsorship programme enabling businesses to fund a class of up to 30 children for Urban Forest School sessions for one term (10 sessions at £3,750), with employee volunteering opportunities through school DBS-checked volunteer programmes.
• Wonderful World of Bees Workshop Half-day or full-day workshop for KS1 and KS2 classes including beehive visits, beeswax candle making, honey tasting, and literacy activities connected to bee education at Gillespie Park and King Henry's Walk Garden. Full-day KS2 £250; half-day KS1 £150 (or £250 for two sessions on one day).
• Sustainability & Climate Change Education Year-round climate change education programme for schools including Champ Camp for school councils, Sustainability Now introductory packages, and Climate Change for Kids (1-3 term programmes) exploring environmental challenges and solutions.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 90% of participating staff agreed or strongly agreed sessions had positive impact on pupils' happiness, physical development, social interactions and engagement
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature2 records

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Kinship in NaturecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTGC collaborates with Kinship in Nature to deliver Level 2 and Level 3 Forest School Training courses. Kinship in Nature handles bookings and payment plans while TGC provides the training curriculum and delivery expertise. This is London's only FSA-Endorsed Forest School Training.
• London Borough of IslingtoncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTGC works in partnership with London Borough of Islington and other borough councils to deliver joint aims and objectives within the local community. Includes infrastructure funding through Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL).
• South Downs National ParkcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTGC works in partnership with South Downs National Park to enable coastal residentials at Seven Sisters for London children, providing access to the national park.
• Falconhurst FarmcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with Falconhurst Farm in the High Weald National Landscape for countryside day visits, focusing on food education, farm animals, and market garden exploration.
• Pinsent MasonscoreGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate sponsor partnering with St John of Jerusalem Primary School for Urban Forest School programme. Employees volunteer at weekly sessions as part of CSR commitments.
• Responsible TravelminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFeatured partnership through 'Trip for a Trip' initiative, linking corporate travel with funding for children's nature experiences.
• The Royal Horticultural SocietyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration partner for horticultural and gardening education programmes.
• Beauchamp Lodge Floating ClassroomminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCanal-based education partner providing unique floating classroom experiences.
• Field Studies CouncilminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner for environmental education and field study programmes.
• NeighbourlyminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSocial Value matching platform where TGC has a profile to connect with corporate funders and receive cash and in-kind donations.
• Match My ProjectminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSocial Value matching platform registered on four local authority sites (Hyde Housing Association, Hackney Giving, Sanctuary, A2 Dominion) to seek funding and demonstrate social value.
• ActionFunderminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSocial Value matching platform where TGC has a profile to welcome cash and in-kind donations.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Eden Project: Major UK environmental education and visitor attraction delivering school workshops, family programmes, and community projects. Comparable as a broad environmental education incumbent, though at a much larger venue-based scale.
• RSPB: Large UK bird and nature conservation charity with extensive school outreach, youth programmes, and nature-based learning resources. Comparable as a broad incumbent delivering school-based nature education and family engagement at national scale.
• Royal Horticultural Society: National horticulture charity running school gardening programmes, family activities, and horticultural training. Comparable on school and community gardening education; TGC is a stated partnership collaborator but RHS is a far larger incumbent with overlapping audiences.
• Woodland Trust: Large UK conservation charity managing woodland and delivering tree-planting and school engagement programmes. Comparable as a broader nature education incumbent with overlapping school outreach and outdoor learning themes, though operating at much larger national scale.

Direct peers

• Field Studies Council: UK charity delivering outdoor and environmental fieldwork-based learning to schools across multiple centres. Highly comparable as a direct competitor in curriculum-linked nature education and residential fieldwork, overlapping with TGC's countryside residentials and curriculum-linked learning.
• London Wildlife Trust: London-focused nature conservation charity running school engagement and community programmes across the capital's green spaces. Directly comparable as a London-based nature education and community engagement operator competing for similar school and volunteer audiences.
• Country Trust: UK charity connecting disadvantaged urban schoolchildren with countryside experiences through farm and estate visits. Directly comparable in mission and delivery model (urban-to-countryside school programmes), with significant geographic overlap with TGC's countryside residentials.

Regional players

• Capel Manor Gardens: London's only dedicated environmental and horticultural college with gardens offering school workshops and family activities. Comparable as a London regional outdoor/horticultural education provider with similar school, community, and training audiences.

Others

• Forest School Association: UK professional body that endorses and accredits Forest School training providers, including TGC's training programme. Adjacent as the sector's governing body whose endorsement framework underpins TGC's training moat.

Emerging players

• Trees for Cities: UK charity focused on urban tree planting and greening with associated school and community engagement programmes. Comparable as an emerging London-focused nature/greening operator with overlapping urban school and community audiences.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/grdnclassroom
• Facebookfacebook.com/GardenClassroom
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/the-garden-classroom
• Instagraminstagram.com/the_garden_classroom

Compliance6 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles14 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about THE GARDEN CLASSROOM