Professional portrait of Tom Ashworth, outdoor education specialist

Contributing Author

Tom Ashworth

Outdoor Education Specialist

9 Articles Published
11+ years in outdoor education, forest school leadership, and nature conservation
BSc Environmental Science, University of Edinburgh
Children do not need to be taught to love nature — they need to be given the opportunity to experience it. When a child holds a ladybird on their finger, plants a seed and watches it grow, or splashes in a puddle after the rain, they are learning lessons that no classroom can teach.

— Tom Ashworth

About Tom

Tom Ashworth is a qualified forest school leader, outdoor education specialist, and lifelong naturalist. With a degree in Environmental Science from the University of Edinburgh and a Level 3 Forest School Leader qualification, Tom has spent over a decade helping children and families reconnect with the natural world through hands-on outdoor learning experiences.

Tom's career began as a countryside ranger for the National Trust, where he developed and led family nature programmes that attracted thousands of participants each year. He went on to establish one of the first urban forest school programmes in the UK, bringing nature-based education to children in inner-city communities who had limited access to green spaces. His innovative approach to outdoor learning has been featured in The Guardian, Countryfile Magazine, and on BBC Springwatch.

At Little Minds Magazine, Tom serves as our Nature & Outdoors editor, creating seasonal activity guides, wildlife exploration projects, and gardening adventures for families. He is a passionate believer that time spent outdoors is essential for children's physical health, mental wellbeing, and environmental awareness. His articles are designed to be accessible to all families, whether they have a large garden or just a windowsill.

Credentials

  • BSc Environmental Science, University of Edinburgh
  • Level 3 Forest School Leader (FSA)
  • Qualified Countryside Ranger
  • Member of the Institute for Outdoor Learning

Areas of Expertise

  • Forest school activities and philosophy
  • Family gardening and growing food
  • Bird watching and wildlife identification
  • Seasonal nature activities
  • Water play and outdoor science experiments

Articles by Tom Ashworth

Explore all 9 articles written by Tom for Little Minds Magazine.