Mission statement
Founded in 2011, Grow to School CIC exists to give children and families greater access to the outside for learning, exploration, and discovery.
Based in Huddersfield, we operate in the education sector providing products, services and support that create sustainable pathways to increasing access to the outdoors and enhancing educational experiences and outcomes for children. The organisation works with schools and their communities across Yorkshire to:
- Deliver outdoor learning programmes in schools as a means of enhancing the curriculum and increasing access to outdoor environments
- Deliver food growing programmes that support schools to grow, cook & eat fresh healthy food & engage with the natural environment
- Deliver continuing professional development training for teaching staff
- Provide lesson plans and resources that help schools take pupils learning outside
Established by Ama Chaney and Zana Wood, we now have a team of experienced practitioners, including trained teachers. We deliver sessions in primary schools with children and staff.
The Team
Ama Chaney
Executive Director of Development, Strategy and Operations
Ama has a degree in Environmental Science and worked in environmental conservation for many years. She loves growing her own food and engaging with the environment and biodiversity.
“As a parent of two children, I know first-hand the important role the outdoors plays in cultivating curious minds, healthy bodies, and environmental stewardship in children.”
Zana Wood
Executive Director of Creative & Educational Strategy.
Outdoor Learning Practitioner
Zana has worked in schools for over 25 years. She takes a creative practical approach to learning outdoors and specialises in developing curriculum sessions that are informative, enjoyable and enrich learning.
“The outdoors and nature were my classroom and friend as a child. What I do now allows me to share the joy of being outside with the joy of learning, even for those children, who like I did, find it difficult to learn in school.”
Vashti MacLachlan
Executive Director of Horticulture. Outdoor Learning Practitioner
Vashti has a drama and creative writing background. She is a qualified horticulturalist with garden design experience and an allotment holder of 20 years.
“I enjoy supporting children to learn and make discoveries out in the vegetable garden. Children’s wonder at the natural world is a reminder to live each day as it comes. A moment can reveal the unexpected and beautiful.“
Beckie Earnshaw
Outdoor Practitioner
Beckie is a qualified teacher with a particular interest in active learning and continuous provision.
“I love being able to incorporate both my training and my interests. The sessions we deliver will be remembered by the children in the future for being that bit different from the usual school day.”
Rachel Chambers
School Support
Rachel has worked in administrative support for over 10 years and has a degree in Graphic Design, Communication and Digital Media. She is keen to offer support to schools with their Grow projects.
“Growing is a big part of my life, I love to be outside with my little ones, showing them how amazing nature is and helping them to learn where their food comes from. I want to be able to share this joy and make it possible for others to enjoy too!”
Bethany Matthews
Outdoor Practitioner
Bethany has been a primary school teacher for 18 years and a Level 3 Forest School Practitioner for 12 years. She also runs an outdoor playgroup for under 5s.
“Being outdoors always enables me to better connect with myself, others and the environment – nature is a great healer, transformer and leveller. It’s become my goal to facilitate that powerful experience for others.”
Kat Woolley
Outdoor Practitioner
Kat has been working in wildlife and outdoor education for 16 years and has been a Forest School practitioner for 10 of those. She grows a variety of vegetables and fruit in her own garden. As a parent of a child with SEND, the therapeutic aspect of being outdoors is really important to her and her family.
“I absolutely love to share nature and see children and adults develop their connection with it and the outdoors through gardening and outdoor activity. Its an absolute joy to be doing this and working with the Grow to School team! ”
Rachel Hopson
Outdoor Practitioner
Rachel has been a primary school teacher for 18 years. She recognises the value in active learning and enjoys seeing children thrive in an outdoor environment.
“Being outdoors and connecting with nature has so many benefits. I love sharing my passion for the outdoors with the children I work with, providing children with experiences that they might not otherwise access.”
Stuart Rothwell
Non Executive Director
Stuart has over 25 years experience working in leadership positions in the fields of data and marketing in both the private and public sector. He works with organisations to provide strategic guidance and practical plans to achieve goals.
“As a parent, I have experienced the vital impact of outdoor activities on my own children’s wellbeing, fueling my passion to support Grow To School’s work to create similar opportunities for as many children as possible.”
Amelia Hunt
Non Executive Director
Amelia is an experienced university leader with a demonstrated history of working in the higher education sector. Skilled in operational management, research, staff development, data analysis, Higher Education, and Leadership. Amelia has a Ph.D. in Microbial Ecology and Environmental Chemistry from Lancaster University.
“I’ve loved nature and gardening since childhood—mud pies, tiny veg plots, and now an allotment. That passion shaped my studies, career, and values. Joining Grow to School feels like coming full circle: being part of a team helping children discover the joy and growth that being in nature gave me”.
Marie Lindsay
Marketing & Communications
Marie has extensive experience in marketing and sales including 6 years with Collins Education. She has a degree in Public Relations and Marketing.
“I love working for a company that has such a positive impact on children, families, communities and the environment, with fun, health and wellbeing at the forefront”.
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