Where learning grows naturally
A small, Finnish-inspired outdoor learning space for children from birth to 11 years old.
Nestled within the peaceful Dunton Community Garden near Biggleswade in Bedfordshire, Avara offers a calm, nature-led approach to early learning inspired by Scandinavian principles.
Seasonal garden-to-table learning, including sowing seeds, caring for fruit and vegetables, as well as harvesting and preparing produce provides children with an important, life-long understanding of where food comes from. Alongside this, they become young naturalists, observing, investigating and caring for the plants, animals and habitats that make the garden a living ecosystem.
From shared experiences outdoors in the early years, children move gently towards a small, nurturing group where home-educated children explore literacy and maths through time in nature, supported by a friendly experienced Primary teacher.
About Avara
Is Avara the same as Forest School?
No. Avara is an outdoor classroom where children learn through food growing, nature study, group projects and meaningful experiences in the garden. While a qualified teacher thoughtfully guides the children to observe, question, investigate and apply new skills, a child's discovery of a cool minibeast or fungus might transform our session and become an extension of the group's interests.
A place where children (and parents) love to be
From the moment you walk through the gate, Avara feels like a world away from everyday life. Our beautiful, enclosed community garden offers a safe, peaceful space where children learn by growing, creating, investigating and exploring the natural world around them.
Working alongside others, children develop friendships, learn to cooperate, take turns and feel part of something together.
At the heart of the garden is our open-sided outdoor classroom, with cosy rugs and cushions overlooking the vegetable beds, wildlife areas and open countryside beyond. Whatever the weather, it's the perfect place to gather for stories, songs, projects and shared learning before heading off to explore.
Every session is led by a warm, qualified and experienced teacher who is passionate about helping children develop confidence, curiosity and a lifelong love of learning through the world around them. Families are welcomed with tea, coffee and a friendly face, while practical facilities, including fresh running water and a compost toilet just beside the barn, help make your visit comfortable and easy.
There really is nowhere else quite like Avara.
Avara Literacy & Maths (4-11)
Small, welcoming groups where reading, writing and maths come to life through growing, exploring and investigating in the garden. A qualified primary teacher experienced in SEND adapts learning to each child, helping them make friends, grow in confidence and enjoy those proud “I did it!” moments.
Our two-hour parent-supported session offers learning with you nearby. The four-hour extended class gives children more time for focused teaching and developing projects, while building independence, cooperation and confidence.
Each child captures their discoveries and achievements in a personal scrapbook to share with you.
Both sessions welcome children from age four with a parent staying. Four-hour drop-off is available from age five, with parents welcome to stay if preferred.
Avara Phonics & Early Maths
A fun, active class for younger children new to phonics and numeracy, and older children still developing confidence. Children learn through doing, with the garden bringing letters, sounds and numbers to life.
Writing in the mud, following word hunts around the garden and counting potatoes we’ve harvested turn learning into an adventure. Songs, movement and sensory experiences give children meaningful ways to explore, practise and remember new skills.
Children practise decoding and blending for reading, and segmenting for spelling, alongside developing a secure understanding of number that supports more complex maths.
A qualified primary teacher experienced in SEND adapts teaching and learning outcomes to each child, helping them enjoy learning, experience success and feel proud of their progress.
Avara Family Spanish
A shared outdoor adventure for families from babies to grandparents. Children and their grown-ups learn Spanish side by side, sharing discoveries and enjoying time together in nature.
Spanish becomes part of planting seeds, caring for our vegetable patch, tasting the harvest and exploring colours, weather and seasons. Songs, games and movement bring language to life, connecting useful words and phrases with things we can see, touch and do.
Inspired by my experience of living in Spain, we learn through real experiences and natural conversations, with activities adapted for different ages.
There is no pressure to speak. Understanding comes first, with opportunities to listen, join in and grow in confidence, enjoying the discoveries and little achievements together.