Wooden Spoon Grant Enables Thousands of Children to Flourish at Ufton Court

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Home » Wooden Spoon Grant Enables Thousands of Children to Flourish at Ufton Court

A generous £15,000 grant from Wooden Spoon has helped transform Ufton Court’s facilities, empowering thousands of children to deepen their connection to nature, history, and themselves through immersive educational experiences. The funding supported essential infrastructure upgrades, including new facilities that allow more children to enjoy the transformative opportunities offered by Ufton Court Educational Trust.

Nestled in 44 acres of secluded woodland, Ufton Court provides a sanctuary for over 22,000 children annually, offering experiential programmes that bring history to life and foster a love of the outdoors. From Tudor-era immersion in the historic manor house to woodland adventures and trauma-informed alternative learning provisions, Ufton Court aims to nurture confidence, curiosity, and a sense of belonging in every child.

The Wooden Spoon grant directly contributed to new spaces that cater to the needs of disadvantaged and disengaged children. These include:

• The Longhouse, a treetop camping facility that provides an unforgettable sleepover experience and a covered learning space for rainy days.
• The Nest, an alternative learning provision that supports children who struggle in traditional classroom settings, enabling them to flourish in a nurturing environment.

The enhancements are part of Ufton Court’s commitment to addressing growing challenges faced by today’s youth. With children’s well-being at its lowest in a decade and the attainment gap for disadvantaged children widening, nature-based learning experiences like those at Ufton are more crucial than ever. These programmes are proven to boost socio-emotional, academic, and mental well-being.

Headteacher Testimonials Reflect Impact
Local educators have lauded the impact of Ufton Court’s programmes:

• “The Nest gave the children a safe place to explore, challenge themselves, and grow together. The progress in their emotional and social development has been significant,” shared a Special Educational Needs Coordinator.
• Another teacher noted, “It’s amazing to see how much her confidence has grown back in the classroom, especially in terms of her social development.”

Empowering the Next Generation
Thanks to Wooden Spoon’s support, Ufton Court is expanding its offerings for 2025, including new programmes like Navigators—teaching map and compass skills—and Project Bees, which explores sustainability and the role of bees in ecosystems.

“We are profoundly grateful to Wooden Spoon for their support. This partnership has allowed us to grow beyond expectations, ensuring thousands of children have the freedom to flourish outside the classroom,” said [Insert Name], Ufton Court Representative.

Support more projects across the UK and Ireland by donating funds to Wooden Spoon or simply find out more about Outdoor Spaces.