A reflection on the FSA National Conference 2026 by Emma Briscoe, Deputy Chair of Trustees for the Forest School Association
It has already been three weeks since we gathered together for one of my favourite weekends of the year. I’m still buzzing from the joy of meeting together (nearly 400 of us!) for a weekend full of connection, laughter, learning and magical moments. After missing it so much in 2025, it felt particularly special to be back!
There is something exciting and powerful about coming together as a community from all around the country, bringing our own experiences and practice to share, learn from and support one another. This year, it felt even more special to bring in the voices of those at the forefront of the wider playwork community, recognising how much we can learn from each other.
Thank you to Siôn Edwards for Return to Our Trees, and to Dr Chris Martin for Embers of Possibility. Making these connections, and developing our thinking and understanding of the crossovers between our worlds, feels particularly important as we all strive to support our learners, advocate for their right to play, and protect a childhood full of wonder and curiosity.
A new feature of this year’s conference was our panel discussions. Huge thanks to Jon Cree, Liz Edwards, Menna Godfrey, Dr Frances Harris, Mell Harrison, Sarah Lawfull and Jan White, and to Lily Horseman for hosting Why Play Matters and The Future Landscape of Play. It was wonderful to hear such different perspectives and experiences shared in the same space.
One of my personal highlights was the opening circle. We had the opportunity to sing the words of Elena Harris, written especially for the conference, while Chris Salisbury brought an ember to life using a bow drill to create a beautiful fire. Those who stayed to listen to Chris’s storytelling were in for a real treat as he shared a magical story of fire. I heard several delegates say they felt as though they were in the presence of a real-life wizard and I would have to agree! It was electric.
The weekend was jam-packed with fun, and we were so lucky to have such a huge range of exciting workshops on offer. It was almost impossible to choose! It was wonderful to wander through the woods and hear drumbeats, see sword fighting and spinning swings, and discover creations, conversations and peaceful moments happening all around us. Thank you to everyone who generously shared their wisdom, creativity, fun and play.
Matt’s quiz and the ceilidh rounded off Saturday night for me, bringing plenty of laughter, some wonderfully muddled dance moves and, somewhat inexplicably, me walking around with my head in a box, singing a song while others did the same with different tunes! The quiz teams then had to try to pick out the songs from the resulting cacophony. It was chaotic, ridiculous and absolutely brilliant exactly the sort of wonderfully bonkers moment that makes these weekends so memorable.
So, thank you to everyone who helped bring our community together and create such a welcoming, safe and special place. From the cosy crafty corners and welcoming spaces to sit and chat with a new friend, to the delicious cake and hot cuppas, the warm fire, and, of course, the woods, providing a canvas for both play and peace.
And finally, thank you to all of you.
We can sometimes get caught up in our tiny bubble of Forest School, particularly when you are a sole practitioner. I feel incredibly privileged to be part of this community of weird and wonderful people, each carrying their own kind of magic in their pockets. I always leave with a renewed sense of passion and purpose that I can bring back with me into my own little corner of Forest School.
These moments are special. They remind us that, together, we are stronger.
We’d love to hear how the weekend was for you.
If you haven’t already, please take a few minutes to complete our conference feedback form. What did you enjoy? What will you take away with you? What could we do better?
We would be so grateful for your reflections as we begin to think about the next conference.
