The Embers Are Stirring…
Join us for the Forest School Association National Conference 2026 — a three-day gathering of practitioners, trainers, researchers and playwork voices from across the UK and beyond.
This year’s theme, Embers: The Power of Play, explores the quiet yet powerful spark at the heart of our work — where curiosity, connection and transformation begin.
Across the weekend, we will explore the many shapes and patterns of play — from the risky to the sensory, the creative to the reflective — and how we nurture and protect these experiences in our practice.
Our full FSA delegate informational pack complete with full schedule and map is being created and will be uploaded here soon. This will also be emailed to all delegates via eequ in the coming weeks. Thank you for your patience whilst we confirm a few more things.
Welcome tour
A huge thank you to Carl, Site Manager at Walesby Forest, for taking the time to show us around — we’re incredibly grateful and so excited to be bringing the conference here.
Tickets are live - book now!
👉 Book here: https://eequ.org/fsaconference
Your conference ticket includes:
- Opening & Closing Ceremonies
- Keynote Speakers and Panel Discussions
- Three Workshop Sessions from a programme of up to 50 workshops
- Community Craft Café with tea, cake and craft-alongs
- Saturday Night Ceilidh with Kettlehawk
- Stories by Fire and Moonlight with Chris Salisbury
- Friday Night Share Your Talent
- Matt’s Legendary Conference Quiz
- Conerence Raffle-all delegates are automatically entered
- The FSA Metre Market
- Full Access to the Forest School Show
- Networking, Meet-Ups and Community Gatherings
The Venue
Set within 250 acres of woodland and open space, Walesby Forest offers a rich and inspiring environment for learning, connection and community.
From woodland workshops and fire circles to quiet spaces for reflection, the site provides the perfect setting to gather, play, learn and connect.
Please find below maps of the site. Our FSA conference map is being developed. And will be released shortly once all sessions are confirmed. Thanks for your patience.
The FSA Conference will be located in sites 1-10
Accommodation
A range of accommodation options are available:
Camping tickets are availible here:
Self-catered: https://eequ.org/book/fsa-conference-2026-camping-self-catered-with-forest-school-association-23083
Campervan tickets are availible here:
Self-catered: https://eequ.org/book/fsa-conference-2026-campervan-self-catering-with-forest-school-association-23109
Shared glamping tents tickets are availible here:
https://eequ.org/book/fsa-conference-2026-glamping-tent-shared-with-forest-school-association-23090
Lodge accommodation tickets are availible here:
Kemp Lodge : https://eequ.org/book/fsa-conference-2026-kemp-lodge-with-forest-school-association-23089
Walesby lodge: https://eequ.org/book/fsa-conference-2026-walesby-lodge-with-forest-school-association-26708
Weekend Off-site options tickets are availible here:
Self-catered: https://eequ.org/book/fsa-conf-2026-wknd-day-ticket-self-catering-with-forest-school-association-23113
Saturday day tickets are available here:
https://eequ.org/book/fsa-conference-ticket-saturday-day-ticket-with-forest-school-association-3792
Dont forget to purchase your car parking ticket. Discount codes do not apply to these tickets so please book seperately.
Car parking tickets availiable here:
https://eequ.org/book/fsa-conference-2026-car-parking-ticket-with-forest-school-association-3573
What to Expect: Workshops
All FSA delegates will get to choose three workshops from a rich programme of practical, creative and thought-provoking sessions. workshops throughout the conference. From playwork and advocacy to storytelling, risky play, music, creativity, wellbeing, inclusion, leadership and Forest School practice, there is something for every stage of your journey.
Workshop slots are as follows:
Saturday am 10.00-12.00am
Saturday pm 14.30-16.30pm
Sunday am 10.30-12.30 pm
Workshop bookings open on Saturday 27th June 9am
What to expect: Meet ups
FSA Endorsed Trainer Meet up
Are you an FSA endorsed Trainer? Please contact Nell Seal about the FSA Endorsed Trainer meet up. More information to come.
📅 Friday 25th September
🕕07-30-17.30pm
📍 Robin Hood Suite
New Delegates & Lone Travellers Meet-Up
📅 Friday 25th September 2026
🕕 6:00pm – 6:30pm
📍 Robin Hood Suite
Are you coming to conference on your own? Is this your first FSA Conference?
If so, we’d love to welcome you to our informal New Delegates & Lone Travellers Meet-Up hosted by Matt Harder.
We know that arriving at a conference for the first time — or attending on your own — can feel a little daunting. That’s why we’re creating a space to meet friendly faces, make connections and get your bearings before the weekend really begins.
This relaxed gathering is a chance to:
• Meet other first-time delegates and lone travellers
• Connect with members of the FSA community
• Ask questions and learn the ropes
• Make new friends before the opening ceremony
• Start the weekend feeling welcomed and connected
This session was hugely popular in previous years and is open to anyone who would like to meet new people. Whether you’re attending your first conference or your fifteenth, you’re very welcome to join us.
After all, some of the best conference friendships begin with a simple conversation.
Come as a stranger, leave as part of the community.
FSA Recognised Provide meet up with Nell Seal
📅 Saturday 26th September 2026
🕐 13:00 – 14:00pm
📍 Robin Hood Suite, Walesby Forest
Are you an FSA Recognised Forest School Provider?
Join us for an informal opportunity to connect with fellow recognised providers from across the UK. Whether you’ve been part of the scheme for years or have recently joined, this is a chance to put faces to names, share experiences, exchange ideas and strengthen connections within our growing community.
Together we’ll explore the joys, challenges and opportunities of running Forest School provision, whilst celebrating the incredible work happening across the network.
Come along to:
• Meet other recognised providers
• Share practice and ideas
• Build connections and collaborations
• Celebrate successes and learn from one another
• Be part of the wider FSA community
This relaxed gathering is open to all current FSA Recognised Providers and offers a valuable opportunity to connect with colleagues who share your passion for high-quality Forest School practice.
We look forward to seeing you there.
Connecting people, sharing practice and strengthening our community.
FSA Local group meet up: Date and timings TBC
What to expect: Gathering Spaces
This year we are creating a dedicated gathering space at the heart of the conference, including:
- A community craft café with tea, cake and space to connect
- Quiet, sensory-friendly areas
- An interactive map and noticeboard showcasing local groups, Endorsed Trainers and Recognised Providers
- Opportunities to learn about projects, connect with others and share practice
There will also be:
- A hammock chill-out area for rest and reflection
- Informal spaces to meet, talk and spend time together
What to expect: Evening Programme & Entertainment
The conference continues into the evenings with a range of shared experiences:
- Opening Ceremony with Elena Harris and Chris Salisbury
- Stories by fire and moonlight with Chris Salisbury (Friday)
- Open Mic Night (Friday)
- Matt’s legendary Quiz Saturday night
- Saturday Night Ceilidh in the Main Meeting House
Featuring live music from Kettlehawk - Closing Ceremony
In Collaboration with The Forest School Show
This year, the conference is taking place alongside the Forest School Show, creating a vibrant and dynamic shared environment.
The Show will be located in the adjacent field, forming the marketplace area for the weekend. Between the Conference and the Show sits a shared field, where the Main Meeting House marquee will be located — a central space for gathering, connection and evening events.
The Show will run during the daytime across the weekend, offering opportunities to explore resources, connect with organisations, and engage with the wider outdoor learning and play community.
Thank you to the generosity of Mark Clarke Director of The Forest School show all FSA Conference delegates will receive full access to the Forest School Show across the weekend.
Together, the Conference and the Show create a unique space where practice, community and inspiration come together.
Please find below map of the show:
Join Us
This conference is more than an event — it is a gathering of a community that believes in the importance of play, connection and nature-based learning.
Come and be part of something special.
For more information and support about the conference please contact Mimi FSA Conference Coordinator
michelle.eastell@googlemail.com
Comments from previous FSA conferences
All round loved it. Not been before and it exceeded my expectations.
Enjoyed the workshops, hanging out around the marketplace and the opportunity to pay for mini workshops (willow weaving and shave horse flowers); the entertainment both evenings was great; food was fabulous and plentiful; staff and volunteers were all brilliant.
I enjoyed every second. The speakers were inspiring, the workshops were wonderful, the entertainment was fantastic and the food was heavenly.
What a great weekend, meeting Forest Schoolers and building on friendships from the last Conference. I learnt so many new ideas too, thanks FSA!”
As a Forest School Leader I feel energised in my practice, and proud to be part of such a visionary movement! Everyone I spoke to had an inspirational story to tell.
A fantastic weekend. Lots of new friends made. Lots of lovely food. The weather was fantastic. Thank you FSA and FSA Essex. I definitely want to be there next year