Where the forest is our classroom and nature is our greatest teacher.
A British curriculum school where children explore freely, think creatively, and learn deeply - rooted in the coastal forests of Watamu.
Gede Forest School is a nature-immersive learning community positioned on the edge of Watamu, Kenya - where the ancient Gede forest meets the Indian Ocean coast. We follow the British National Curriculum, offering the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) and Lower Primary programmes.
We believe children learn best when they're connected to the world around them. The world is changing, so our forest-based approach enriches the British curriculum with exploration and creativity, teaching logic, critical reasoning and inspiring curiosity. Farm experiences offer children hands-on learning and emotional development, fostering responsibility, curiosity, and strengthening their connection to nature. We teach a deep respect for the environment, whilst building the strong academic foundations every child needs to thrive.
From forest playgroups for babies and toddlers, through EYFS and into Primary - our programmes are enriched by nature at every stage.
All age groups benefit from our beautiful 25-acre forested site. With a working plant nursery and small farm, the school offers exceptional opportunities for outdoor, experiential and environmental learning.
Our outdoor learning approach allows children to access the well-documented health benefits of being outdoors, helps pupils develop valuable life skills like problem-solving, self-sufficiency, teamwork and practical skills, and boosts social mobility, helping children to develop confidence and resilience.
It's never too early to start your journey with us. Forest environments benefit babies and toddlers (and parents too!). We run a forest playgroup for under 3s three days per week. Little ones can attend with parents or ayahs to access our safe outdoor play and exploration space. Or join us for baby walks in the forest, microsafaris - little people looking for minibeasts! - and sensory sessions in nature.
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A play-based, exploratory programme following the EYFS framework. Children learn through nature, storytelling, and sensory discovery across the seven areas of learning - from Communication and Language to Understanding the World - all within our forest setting.
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A rigorous yet creative programme covering Key Stage 1 of the British National Curriculum. Children build strong foundations in English, Maths, and Science, enriched with forest-based learning and hands-on projects.
Learn more →From forest trails to open-air classrooms, discover the spaces where learning comes alive.
Gede Forest School is situated on 25 acres. We are committed to caring for nature, but also enabling the local community to sustainably benefit from it. Our site enables students from near and far to engage in environmental learning, whilst breathing fresh air and listening to the birds in the trees.
Our impact is felt far beyond our classrooms. Onsite, we propagate more than 40 native tree species, as well as economically important agroforestry species, that are provided to farmers alongside training, to enable them to improve farming methods - no longer struggling with failed maize yields, but instead prospering from shade, fodder and food.
We work in partnership with local NGOs, such as the Friends of Arabuko-Sokoke Forest, international NGOs, such as Botanic Gardens Conservation International, and other plant nurseries in Kilifi County to restore connectivity of remaining forest fragments, our own patch of forest being a remnant of the Eastern African Coastal Forest biodiversity hotspot, which we are protecting and restoring. Our forest is home to a small population of the Golden-rumped Elephant Shrew, an Endangered species. We work in collaboration with the Watamu Snake Farm to run snake safaris onsite, but also to rehome species found that would be better placed in a larger forest.
Sustainability runs through our core and we teach the importance of nature conservation, community collaboration and conscious living to our students. The cups they drink from are metal not plastic, their food is sourced locally and sustainably, school resources are made from natural and recycled materials, we use environmentally friendly cleaning products - the school's sustainable approach is gently but intentionally taught to children through each step of their day with us, fostering a new generation of environmental stewards.
We collaborate with organisations that share our commitment to education, conservation, and community development.
We're looking for passionate Early Years and Primary educators who believe in the power of nature-based learning. If you're ready to inspire young learners in one of the most beautiful settings on Earth, we'd love to hear from you.
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