Learning to Love Learning for Life!
This is the eighth year that the Inner Peace Forest School has been supporting families who are looking to offer their children a more natural, small- scale, caring educational environment in their formative schooling years. Our emphasis on language and communication skills, outdoor farm and forest nature-based arts and science project activities, yoga, martial arts, meditation and lots more to give your children a positive socialisation experience with their peers. Our diversity policy brings together a multinational set of families who are seeking to bring up their children with the best of behaviours moral attitude and social skills to prepare them for their uncertain futures.
Once again the school offers three different age sets for age-apprpriate learning - 6 to 8; 8 to 13 and 13 to 18 in which you can enrol you child in a forest school education programme that is based on humanitarian Buddhist principles, bringing you and your children together with other families so our children can enjoy academic learning, physical movement and moral education in an holistic, activity based project learning system.
You can find information on this site regarding timetables, activities and costs so that you can make a decision to sign up your child for a super-positive life long learning experience.
INNER PEACE FOREST SCHOOL EDUCATIONAL SUPPORT SYSTEM
Our Mission
Our Learning Space
Our Mission
The INNER PEACE FOREST SCHOOL EDUCATIONAL SUPPORT SYSTEM provides an holistic outdoor-based and online learning support to families who have children in home school programmes or are frequently travelling and living more nomadically. Our online and in situ support system offers the teaching and expereince of: humanisitc moral values,
The INNER PEACE FOREST SCHOOL EDUCATIONAL SUPPORT SYSTEM provides an holistic outdoor-based and online learning support to families who have children in home school programmes or are frequently travelling and living more nomadically. Our online and in situ support system offers the teaching and expereince of: humanisitc moral values, self discipline and self confidence, social awareness, social communication skills, psycho-physical and emotional well-being, love of learning, enjoyment of nature, compassion and empathy, contentment and happiness - alongside academic qualifications and practical work skills. The forest-based outdoor education space offers a unique and beautiful natural location that first offers nature as the teacher through our wide range of outdoor activities (forest walks, camping, canoeing, climbing, biking etc... in the hill forests and beaches of the rural Algarve). Alongside learning lifelong knowledge naturally, we augment the experience with daily yoga, martial arts, minfullness and meditation sessions. This cutting edge learning curriculum prepares our students to cope with the stress of growing up with the pressure to make a success of their lives in this complex fast-changing modern world. With this mission we work with both the student and their families to foster a life-long love of learning with our commitment to every student that they learn to become the best that they can be - together with friends, family and community.
Our History
Our Learning Space
Our Mission
The INNER PEACE FOREST SCHOOL EDUCATIONAL SUPPORT SYSTEM grew out of the work of the International Yoga, Martial Arts and Meditation Knowledge Centre which was set up over 30 years ago to create a natural practice and study space for high level learnng and experience of Zen Buddhist,Taoist and Yogic personal development systems. In 2006
The INNER PEACE FOREST SCHOOL EDUCATIONAL SUPPORT SYSTEM grew out of the work of the International Yoga, Martial Arts and Meditation Knowledge Centre which was set up over 30 years ago to create a natural practice and study space for high level learnng and experience of Zen Buddhist,Taoist and Yogic personal development systems. In 2006 the need to cater for the educaiton of a rural poulation with young children in a remote locality led to the establshment of an EU-funded programme to establish a 'European Citizens' School' in Monchique as part of a wider European life long learning (LLL) network, bringing together nature activities, language learning and Information Technology training for local community re-skilling and rural development. The EU life long learning process was blended with the Knowledge Centre's personal development programmes. It was initially offered to graduate-level students interested in sustainable development. This was then further blended with the outdoor nature activities in the area and then offered to kindergarten, primary and secondary students in home school settings, providing local families with qualified educational support and the opportunity for children living in remote areas or schooling online to meet up with their peers in healthy nature-based guided learning experiences.
Our Learning Space
Our Learning Space
Our Learning Space
The INNER PEACE FOREST SCHOOL EDUCATIONAL SUPPORT SYSTEM is based in the remote Monchique foot hills overlooking the beautiful forests and beaches of the Algarve, Southern Portugal. A five hectare abondoned lemon farm has been restored using sustainable development principles to bring the farm back to life and help support conservation-l
The INNER PEACE FOREST SCHOOL EDUCATIONAL SUPPORT SYSTEM is based in the remote Monchique foot hills overlooking the beautiful forests and beaches of the Algarve, Southern Portugal. A five hectare abondoned lemon farm has been restored using sustainable development principles to bring the farm back to life and help support conservation-led local economic development across the region. In 2003 the property was burnt down in the biggest forest fires in Europe that year, but the Knowledge Centre was re-built as a 'Quina Florestal' (Forest Farm) as part of the regeneration of fire-affected rural areas of low population density. The forest farm model was based on organic agriculture, permaculture design, ecotourism, health and well being programmes and environmental edcuation programmes, offering a demonstation unit for other fire-affected landowners to rebuild their farms. The facilities include indoor and outdoor martial arts and yoga training spaces, accommodation, classrooms and camp site, a peace garden and agricultural terraces, fully self-sufficient with solar power, spring water, multi-level reservoirs, and on-site waste composting.
INNER PEACE FOREST SCHOOL EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMME
THE INNER PEACE FOREST SHOOL EDUCATONAL SUPPORT SYSTEM - MEETING THE CHALLENGES OF MODERN LIVING THROUGH LIFE LONG LEARNING
EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMME - AGE APPROPRIATE GUIDANCE
PRIMARY I 6 to 8 YEARS OLD
PRIMARY I 6 to 8 YEARS OLD
PRIMARY I 6 to 8 YEARS OLD
Update Sept 5th
Please note that there has not been sufficient in inscriptions at this point of the School registration process. The group needs another four students before it can be started. Parents in this group will be informed of the alternatives.
PRIMARY II -8 -13 YEARS OLD
PRIMARY I 6 to 8 YEARS OLD
PRIMARY I 6 to 8 YEARS OLD
This is a dynamic group and is already working near full capacity.
Please see the activities section to see what this group are up to on the farm ,in the forest, by the sea and in the classroom.
TEENAGE 13 -1 8 YEARS OLD
PRIMARY I 6 to 8 YEARS OLD
TEENAGE 13 -1 8 YEARS OLD
We have made major changes to the School offer for this group. Academic support for IGCSE qualifications is available in over nine subjects. Join our Exam Prep Club which gives: personalised study supervision online alongside after school clubs weekend workshops.and holiday learning camps .
Alongside the academic studies club, there is also a Life Skills and Small Business club in which teenagers can learn all they need to know to offer confidence and more clarity to them for living in their new digital economy before they join the adult world. Each teenager gets to practically learn skills and know-how to set up a business of their choice.
The third club is the Mind and Body Conditioning Club. A range of Yoga, martial arts and outdoor activities are structured for peer group participation. Counselling is offered for teenage issues around peer group relations IT usage drugs, family interaction, anxiety, depression, aggression, and self-esteem.
These teenage clubs will initially operate on Wednesday and Friday afternoons/evenings. Come and visit us with your teenager - who may already be in school or is being homeschooled on their own, or they may just wish to meet other teenagers to do things they like to do together with others.
POST -SCHOOL INTERNSHIPS
GUARDIANS OF THE PALESTINIAN CHILDREN
TEENAGE 13 -1 8 YEARS OLD
The teenage clubs link up with graduate Intern programs which are run from the retreat premises and feed back into the on premise schooling experience. The offer includes:
Sustainability courses on:
Biodiversity conservation
Eco tourism services
Sustainable resource management
Peace Studies
Hatha Yoga and Meditation mentoring
Yoga Teacher Training program
Martial Arts and Yoga massage
Martial arts mentoring program
Wado Ryu karate
Yang family Tai Chi Chuan
Zen Tai Ki Do
The Way of Tao
TEACHING PEACE & LOVING KINDNESS
GUARDIANS OF THE PALESTINIAN CHILDREN
GUARDIANS OF THE PALESTINIAN CHILDREN
The Inner Peace Forest School has always placed moral education as the most important and highest focus of our teaching and learning experience here. Our schools can stop the wars program has identified war and conflict as the Major threat to the secure future of our children and even currently to our families in line with humanitarian principles we highlight the problem of global apartheid and inequality that characterises the global economy in which we all live together often reduced to consumers workers and soldiers Our children deserve better. The school offers parents and pupils the chance to participate in our guardians of the Palestinian children program which has been running since the ethnic cleansing and genocide of Palestinian children restarted in October 2023. Since then we have developed an information pack that contains a list of alternative media sources so you may inform yourselves of the issue a teachers and parents educational pack that has followed the recent escalation of conflict as we move to the parks Judaica War economy educational freedom has been threatened at every level of society in every country around the world and if we in our own lives do not stand up for free speech and truth if we do not stand up for non-violence and non-stealing then what can we expect of our children’s future?
GUARDIANS OF THE PALESTINIAN CHILDREN
GUARDIANS OF THE PALESTINIAN CHILDREN
GUARDIANS OF THE PALESTINIAN CHILDREN
Please see how your family may be involved in our three pronged activities strategy
1. Courage & Communications - speak up for the truth wherever you hear lies and propaganda - at home and with friends and family .. openly. Support those who speak up if you are afraid to speak yourself. Find support at the retreat
2. Political voice - if you have a vote, please vote against any candidates who support war and support candidates who support peace beyond campaign rhetoric
3. Humanitarian action - join our Guardians of the Palestinian Children project to support 250 school children in Gaza. This is a direct contact project in which a group of young adults are being trained in video editing skills animation audiovisual equipment use theatre storytelling and counselling. Meanwhile 250 Gazan School children are being selected so that they may recount a story of one memorable moment in their lives the stories will then be turned into a series of short films, animations poetry theatre performances Etra and then brought together to showcase the lives of these children’s forever. Our School will imitate that project so our children will also be able to make their own videos, we will then facilitate the children to share their experiences share experiences from both Gaza and the Algarve. In the third phase we will disseminate all the work our children have done in the schools so that we may truly create a message of peace and justice through civil society international collaborative action action .
By participating in these activities we give families a chance to not be silent during the genocide and set an example for our children.
If you have skills or can help to fund these actions please contact us.
EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMME LIFE - LONG LEARNING THEMES
INTRODUCTION TO THE LEARNING PROGRAMME
INTRODUCTION TO THE LEARNING PROGRAMME
INTRODUCTION TO THE LEARNING PROGRAMME
The School Praxis- Life Long Learning – Natural Knowledge in the Age of AI
Students who participate in the system can do so through on-line, day attendance and boarding support to families who are looking for a forest-based outdoor school alternative to mainstream urban educational processes.
The Curriculum Five Key Study Areas:
1. Arts, Science, Humanities (IGCSE on-line tutoring and support)
2. Engineering, Construction (Site-based practical manual technical skills)
3. Information & Communications Technology (AI, Networking, Content Creation, Programming)
4. Natural Movement for Health and Fitness (Yoga. Martial Arts, Outdoor Activities)
5. Life Skills & Moral Values (Buddhism and Astanga, NLP, Communication. Teamwork, Life Management Skills, Business Skills, Gardening)
ARTS SCIENCE & HUMANITIES
INTRODUCTION TO THE LEARNING PROGRAMME
INTRODUCTION TO THE LEARNING PROGRAMME
Arts, Science, Humanities (Cambridge IGCE on-line tutoring and support)
Subject learning for Academic Qualifications:
· 8 Cambridge UK IGCSEs: English Language, English as a Foreign Language, Mathematics, Combined Sciences, Biology, Physics, Chemistry, Geography
· Foundation Courses:
o Learning and Research Strategies and Skills
o Communications Skills
o World History
o Working with AI tutors with teacher oversight for home study
o Forming Peer Study Groups with Tutor Oversight
INFORMATION COMMUNICATIONS TECHNOLOGY
INTRODUCTION TO THE LEARNING PROGRAMME
INFORMATION COMMUNICATIONS TECHNOLOGY
Information & Communications Technology (AI, Networking, Content Creation, Programming)
Technical skills acquisition through groupwork and project-based exploration of:
· Artificial Intelligence – Learning to learn and learning to work with GPT4o, Microsoft CoPilot and other Large Language Model systems.
· Online Networks – How the Internet Works, Building Online Communities.
· Content Creation- website, video, sound and story-telling production
· Programming – Learning to programme in HTML 5 and Python using AI and online courses.
Students will form teams who will work though the above subject areas and be expected to deliver their own programming projects by the end of the year.
ENGINEERING & CONSTRUCTION
NATURAL MOVEMENT, HEALTH & WELLBEING
INFORMATION COMMUNICATIONS TECHNOLOGY
(Site-based practical manual & technical skills)
Project- based learning and practical manual work experience for 14+ age g &roup:
· Building Maintenance
· Working with Concrete, Bricklaying
· Electrics
· Plumbing
· Working with Wood
· Working with Metal
· Alternative Energy Sources – Choosing and Using
· Combustion Engine and Vehicle Maintenance
· Bicycle Maintenance
Students will join project teams to go though the skill sets in practical project ongoing at the Quinta Florestal in Monchique, Southern Portugal, where all techniques will be adapted to dry Mediterranean landscape conditions.
NATURAL MOVEMENT, HEALTH & WELLBEING
NATURAL MOVEMENT, HEALTH & WELLBEING
NATURAL MOVEMENT, HEALTH & WELLBEING
Every day holistic health & wellbeing activities based on:
· Yoga
· Martial Arts
· Outdoor Activities
The School yoga program follows though on the work of Yogachayra BKS Iyengar, in which students are led though a comprehensive hatha yoga learning and practice program.
The Martial Arts brings together the Japanese Art of Wado-Ryu and the Chinese System of Tai Chi Chuan into the natural movement practice of Zen Tai Ki Do (The Way of Zen Body Energy). Students have the option to train in the school programmes offered in each of these disciplines.
LIFE SKILLS & MORAL VALUES
NATURAL MOVEMENT, HEALTH & WELLBEING
NATURAL MOVEMENT, HEALTH & WELLBEING
Life Skills & Moral Values (Buddhism and Astanga, Neuro Linguistic Programming- NLP - , Teamwork, Business Skills)
The educational support system offers students two ‘Life Compasses’ for guidance to find our own Way though:
1) The ‘Four Noble Truths and the Eightfold Path’ in Buddhism
·2)The Yoga Astanga Limbs of Yama and Niyama
With application and focus on student exposure to:
· Buddhist Transpersonal Psycho-therapeutic Skills – Learning to Manage our Mental Health
· Social Communication Skills – Richt Speech, One-to -One and One-to-Many Communications Skills; Team Work and Finding your Sangha
· Living in Contentment and Happiness - the Practice of ‘Loving Kindness’ (Meta Bhavana)Meditation .
· Life Skills – Growing food, Cooking, Cleaning. Money management,
· Business Skills – Following ‘Right Livelihood’ to help you find out what you want to do in life to make a living.
· Business Skills – Preparing Action Plans and Business Plans to bring your Ideas to life.