Meet the Team!

Sarah Morgan

I have always worked in early years health and education with a few short breaks to raise my two amazing  boys who are 8 & 20…

  • I have loved being a part of supporting children to become the very best they can, and helping them to be happy, independent and resilient people and explore and discover the world around them.

    I have enjoyed being a part of teams to develop a strong structure to provide and deliver  all that is required in the EYFS and to make it easily accessible and understood to all professionals in order for them to deliver it in their child care settings.

    I have always felt passionate about children having as much access to the outdoors and all it has to offer us, especially the mental health support our natural world has to offer. This became even more so important during the pandemic.

    It was during this time that I was introduced to Pam when an opportunity to volunteer in a community support group pam and few others had started. Me and Pam realised our kindred passion for supporting families especially the children, the group were able to fund some forest school sessions for children from the local school,which  me and pam were lucky enough to attend and help, very quickly we both loved the idea of every child in our community having access to this. I have since trained as a forest school leader and along with Pam and an amazing team of volunteers we now have our very own community forest school.

    I feel very lucky and privileged to have had such a positive experience come  from the pandemic which I know is a very rare thing. I have been given the opportunity to be a part of an amazing community who will hopefully leave a beautiful legacy behind for generations to come.

Pam Whittingham

After many years in the finance industry gaining organisational skills Pam found that her true vocation was to help people…

  • Pam became a learning support assistant at the orpheus centre, a specialist college for young disabled adults. During the pandemic Pam helped set up a group of volunteers to support people that were shielding. This is where Pam met Sarah, sharing a passion for the outdoors , mental health and supporting children emotionally. They soon found a way to help children affected by the pandemic by facilitating forest school sessions. This then blossomed into the charity Warlingham Forest Schoolers and Pam helps behind the scenes as well as getting involved in the sessions, her favourite activity being nest building!

Kate Mountain

I have many years experience working as a teaching assistant in a specialist setting for children with social, emotional and communications difficulties…

  • I love seeing and helping children build confidence, resilience and independence and an outdoor setting like forest school is the perfect place for young people to explore independently. I believe this kind of experience should be equally accessible to any child that would benefit from it.

    I've always enjoyed the outdoors - me and my family are keen campers and walkers, an animal lover (with two dogs) and a big fan of board games.

    I was thrilled to be asked to become a Trustee for Warlingham Forest Schoolers in July 2024 using my previous experience in law.

Alice Mountain

Hi, I'm Alice daughter to Kate, one of the volunteers, I am currently doing my GCSEs and am hoping to stay on at 6th form after and study A level Theatre studies, media studies and psychology…

  • I love to challenge myself and am currently doing my D of E award,which is a great way to learn new skills and contribute to the community. I always enjoy forest school and would like to continue volunteering after my D of E hours are completed as it's such a great team and I love seeing the children get so much joy from the outdoors.

Caroline Blok

My name is Caroline Blok. I am a retired Primary School Teacher, having spent much of my career in Croydon Schools. I love being outdoors. I enjoy walking and often find new routes to…

  • My name is Caroline Blok. I am a retired Primary School Teacher, having spent much of my career in Croydon Schools. I love being outdoors. I enjoy walking and often find new routes to explore off the beaten track around our local environment.

    I really enjoy creative pursuits. I love sewing and crafting, and I have a particular passion for writing. One of my children’s stories has been published and it has been a thrill to see a story in print.

    At Forest School I am happy planning creative activities for the children using materials we can find on the site. During our holiday sessions, I try to write a story about one of the children by observing what they are doing and then incorporate their activity or ideas into an imaginative story that is unique to our setting. We now have quite a few stories about the children, and they are delighted that a story has been especially written about them.

    The children that come to Forest School enjoy using the environment around them, they show imagination and resourcefulness. They have a happy and interesting experience, come rain and shine!

Emma Armfield

I’ve always been creative and a people person. I left school to be a hairdresser… unfortunately after 2 years when I was allergic to hair dye…i then kind of fell into accounting…

  • I enjoyed my job as I work for a charity and since covid work from home which really suits me as I now have a toddler and another one on the way!

    I've lived in Warlingham for 4 years now and really love the countryside we are privileged to be surrounded by. Since Becoming a mum I wanted to do something for myself rather than the mum/work life! I really enjoy cooking, getting stuck in and the outdoors life! So does my little boy.. Nothing better than being covered in mud!

    I've wanted to get my little boy involved in forest school for a while and now we have the best of both. I can put my cooking skills to good use, muck in and get involved and my little boy can have fun at the same time.

Laura Souber

Hi, I’m Laura, I am a local childminder & I run the weekly toddler group sessions alongside Sarah, the forest school leader. I have lived in Warlingham since 2008…

  • I love the outdoors so being involved in the forest school was the ideal opportunity for me to combine my love of the outdoors and being able to give the young people of warlingham a taste of the outdoors learning. I enjoy camping, walking my dog and learning new skills.

Sarah Dunnell

Sarah Dunnell was a dedicated trustee and a visionary leader who played an integral role in establishing our forest school. Her passion for outdoor education and her commitment to fostering a love of nature in children inspired both staff and students alike. Sarah's unwavering support and innovative ideas helped shape the foundation of our school, making it a welcoming and enriching environment for all.


Her warm demeanour and collaborative spirit created a strong sense of community among parents, educators, and children. Sarah believed in the transformative power of nature and worked tirelessly to promote environmental stewardship and holistic learning.


Sadly, Sarah passed away in July 2024, leaving a lasting legacy that will continue to resonate within our community. Her contributions to our forest school and the lives she touched will always be remembered, and we are eternally grateful for her dedication and vision.……

  • In Sarah Dunnell’s own words :-

    As a chartered accountant working at one of the main UK banks for over 25 years, I gained invaluable experience in managing finances and ensuring compliance with regulations. However I have always been keen to use my skills to help charities, in particular charities that support children, and have volunteered for various charities over the years in both the uk and overseas. I am also a very keen runner, walker and someone who really appreciates being outside, having spent most of my childhood playing outdoors.

    Warlingham Forest Schoolers are giving me a great opportunity to use the knowledge I have gained in the corporate sector to help support a fantastic charity that gives children the opportunity to experience the fun of being outdoors.

Ruth Charlton

My name is Ruth and I am one of the new trustees of Warlingham Forest School. As a primary school teacher, I am very aware of how important outdoor learning and exploring is for children of all ages. The experiences…

  • My name is Ruth and I am one of the new trustees of Warlingham Forest School. As a primary school teacher, I am very aware of how important outdoor learning and exploring is for children of all ages. The experiences the children have in forest school are unique and completely different to other learning environments. My child has been part of the forest school since it began and has loved every minute. In my role as a trustee, I want to support the Warlingham Forest School community in continuing to develop and provide an amazing learning space for the wider Warlingham community to enjoy. I’m so happy to be part of the team.

Ian Dale

Hi, I'm Ian. I’m truly honored to be part of the WFS team. Having called Warlingham home for over twenty years, I’ve had the pleasure of running Dales On The Green gift shop for much of that time. Now, I’m turning my attention to…

  • Hi, I'm Ian. I’m truly honored to be part of the WFS team. Having called Warlingham home for over twenty years, I’ve had the pleasure of running Dales On The Green gift shop for much of that time. Now, I’m turning my attention to creating a new community hub on The Green. For over three decades, I’ve also successfully managed a family music publishing business, which I’m proud to say is now in the capable hands of my two sons. This year, they gave me the greatest gift—grandchildren—so I’m embracing my new role as a granddad!

    In addition to running Ales On The Green micropub, I’m delighted to be assisting Jakki Hesse with her retreats and well-being events. Jakki and I share a deep love for nature and often find ourselves exploring the outdoors in our motorhome with our dog whenever the opportunity arises.

    I’m thrilled to be a part of the WFS team and am looking forward to contributing to our shared vision—while having plenty of fun along the way.

Tim Lloyd

Hi, Tim here. Having moved to Warlingham in my retirement, I’m looking forward to trading the bright lights of theatre life for the peaceful woodland air at the Forest School.

My 45-year theatre career began in London’s West End as …………..

  • Hi, Tim here. Having moved to Warlingham in my retirement, I’m looking forward to trading the bright lights of theatre life for the peaceful woodland air at the Forest School.

    My 45-year theatre career began in London’s West End as a stage technician, which then led to life on the road with touring productions across the UK. Later, I specialised in installing theatre machinery in venues around the world, including projects in Dubai and China.

    Alongside my professional life, I’ve always had an appreciation for the outdoors. I’ve taken courses in traditional countryside skills such as hurdle making and hedge laying, and I enjoy a good ramble whenever I can.

    I’m eager to use my skills to help build and maintain the Forest School’s infrastructure and support the team in creating a safe, inspiring space for the children and the community.

Peter Taylor

I'm Peter AKA Grumps and I am retired, I was a police officer for 30 years. I currently work as a dog chauffeur for Pat’s Paws. I have two dogs and a cat, I’m a keen motorcyclist. I like walking and beer and recently……..

  • I'm Peter AKA Grumps and I am retired, I was a police officer for 30 years. I currently work as a dog chauffeur for Pat’s Paws. I have two dogs and a cat, I’m a keen motorcyclist. I like walking and beer and recently started astrology as a hobby. I have lived in Warlingham for over 25 years.  I have six brothers - Sneezy, Dopey, Doc, Happy, Bashful and Sleepy. 

    I joined Warlingham Forest Schoolers after a charity event at Ales on the Green in April 2025, and I LOVE IT!

Kay Clayton

Hi, hi! I am Kay and I feel very privileged to be a Trustee of Warlingham Forest Schoolers.

I am retired; however, my background was in Television………

  • Hi, hi! I am Kay and I feel very privileged to be a Trustee of Warlingham Forest Schoolers.

    I am retired; however, my background was in Television, production and facilities. Due to the nature of the business, long days and far too much travelling, I gave up my job after giving birth to our baby in 1997.  Two years later our second child was born. This really was the deciding factor in leaving the TV industry for good.

    Once the children were of school age, I took on a job at the local health club as part of the Reception Team, a role which I absolutely loved.  Getting to meet lots of locals, many of whom eleven years on I still bump into around Caterham.

    I am a volunteer in a wonderful, local charity which is devoted to supporting those who have been caught up in the horrors of modern slavery and human trafficking and helping them to get back their lives, free of such atrocities.

    Having had a childhood where simply being able to play out in the street, the park, the woods, was just what we did, it makes you realise how very much needed an initiative such as WFS is needed in the area.  To encourage children to be independent, free to play and explore through nature.

     I love being part of such a very special project.

Sunita Ricketts

Hi, my name is Sunita, I’ve lived in Sanderstead for over 25 years and recently retired to keep my retired husband company!! ………….

  • Hi, my name is Sunita, I’ve lived in Sanderstead for over 25 years and recently retired to keep my retired husband company!! However, we’ve both realised that we like our space so along with volunteering for WFS, I also volunteer for a couple of National trust properties as well as volunteering for my local church.

    I enjoy reading, sewing, walking, talking and am a self confessed Excel geek so I hope my skills will be useful to WFS - I’m so happy to be part of the crew!

Louise Playford

I’m Louise, mum to one son and dog mum to two rescue dogs so spend a lot of my time outside in the wonderful forests nearby (but you can mostly find me on the Chart!). I’m a chartered accountant by trade, having previously been head of mergers & acquisitions for a large international nursery group, however when my son was born, I soon realised that that was the real job I’d always wanted. 

Since having my son, and building on my experience in the early years sector, I have realised the absolute benefit of forest school, and providing children with the ability to be close to nature. I am in the early stages of training for my level 3 Forest School Leader qualification and love learning about how child development differs across countries, cultures and in different regions. However, you still can’t keep me away from a spreadsheet, so I’ll also be helping the team out with anything financial if needed!

Cindy Hedmann

I’m Cindy

I live in Warlingham and have always loved the beautiful countryside and nature that surrounds us. My professional background is in marketing and events, running my own consultancy that works mainly……

  • I’m Cindy

    I live in Warlingham and have always loved the beautiful countryside and nature that surrounds us. My professional background is in marketing and events, running my own consultancy that works mainly within the hospitality sector — particularly the fantastic club sector, from social to sports clubs, which I absolutely love.

    Being fortunate to have flexibility with my time, I was looking for ways to get more involved in the local community when I came across The Forest School. The ethos immediately captured me! I grew up in an era where we were always outdoors, and I love the idea of helping today’s children experience that same joy and freedom in nature.

    Over the years, I’ve had lots of involvement with children and am really looking forward to helping them explore, discover, and have fun outside. With my events background, I’m also excited to support the wonderful activities and events that The Forest School puts on throughout the year.

    I’m also a trustee for The Woodhouse Centre in Oxted — a fantastic social hub for companionship and crafts, which I became involved with during Covid.

    I live locally with my husband, and we have one grown-up daughter.  As a family, we’ve always loved being outdoors, especially in the mountains skiing!  More recently, I’ve taken up golf and continue to enjoy walking and travelling whenever I can.

Paul Turner

After 50 years service; 32 as a firefighter and officer, 18 as a fire safety consultant, why retire when I could provide some support to this fine group of volunteers? I enjoy the outdoors, always found helping others rewarding and seeing the children learning and laughing in the forest school environment is payment enough. It’s been great hearing from parents, teachers and the WFS team how the children develop different skills and enhance interpersonal relationships through the forest school. And thankfully there are no phones or screens anywhere!

Ashleigh Branson

Hello, I’m Ash a new volunteer at the forest school. I have previously worked with children with additional needs in both an educational and youth scheme setting.

I really enjoy spending time outdoors on long walks with my dog and have recently turned my hand to gardening.

I am looking forward to working with the team and getting to know the young people.

Aidan McAllen

Hi, I’m Aidan! I’ve grown up in and around Warlingham and am keen to inspire other young people in the area to enjoy nature.

I’m currently a student in London, where I’ve been working with another charity to support underprivileged school children with debating and public speaking.

Being in central London has made me appreciate our natural environment even more, so I’m looking forward to spending my free time outdoors whilst doing something I care about.

Lou Cox

Hi, I’m Lou, and I live just down the hill in Caterham. I’m excited to join the Warlingham Forest Schoolers team and get stuck into the sessions. I’ve previously worked in mental health and part of my current job involves supporting vulnerable people. I am a big believer in the positive impact that time outdoors/in nature can have on wellbeing.

I enjoy being active and you’ll often find me dragging friends and family around the countryside on walking routes I’ve tried to plan in advance (with mixed success!). I also like to try anything creative, even if the end result doesn’t match the idea in my head.

I hope to support the fantastic work WFS do in the community and help to make the sessions fun for the kids while they learn.