Nottingham’s Wild Days Lodge Scoops Platinum Award and “Teaching Oscar” Nomination
Wild Days Lodge Forest Pre-school in Mapperley, Nottingham, is celebrating a double victory this week. The pre-school has secured the Woodland Trust Platinum Award and also been named a national finalist for Early Years Team of the Year in the 2026 Pearson National Teaching Awards. These coveted awards mark a major milestone for the team, who have transformed a once-derelict ruin into a thriving haven for outdoor learning.
The school has gained national recognition by being shortlisted for the Pearson National Teaching Awards, known in education circles as the “Teaching Oscars,” The final winners are set to be announced on National Thank a Teacher Day this June 17th. This honour follows the team’s achievement of the highest Platinum tier from the Woodland Trust, a reward for their deep-rooted commitment to nature, sustainability, and environmental education.
The success is a testament to the school’s physical and educational foundation. Once declared too dangerous to enter in 2020 – complete with a collapsed floor and a tree growing through the roof – the Lodge was meticulously restored by the team using salvaged original materials to preserve its history.
The awards come at a time of intense national debate regarding school phone bans and the impact of social media on children. Wild Days Lodge has gained significant attention for its belief that the resilience, problem-solving, and “supported risk-taking” learned in a child’s early years provide the essential mental tools to combat digital addiction in later life.
“Our team creates exciting experiences every day,” says Abi Reddish, Founder and Director of Wild Days Lodge Wild Days Lodge. “We equip children with the confidence, creativity and teamwork skills necessary for success at big school. These awards tell us that we’re doing a good job.”
