One Heart Tribe and Forest Based Learning

Before I even stepped out of the car, I already had a feeling this wasn't going to be a typical school visit. No gates, no uniforms, no rows of classrooms — just trees, open land, and that quiet kind of stillness you don't usually associate with education. And somewhere between following a slightly questionable dirt road and arriving at a group of children completely at ease in nature, I realised… this wasn't just different. It was the kind of place that makes you pause and ask yourself some slightly uncomfortable questions about what we've come to accept as "normal" schooling.

🌿 Location

Tucked away in a truly breathtaking Quinta, One Heart Tribe feels like stepping into another world — one where learning unfolds quietly among trees, hills, and open skies.

From the moment you arrive, there is a sense that this is not just a place of education, but a space intentionally created for children to feel safe, seen, and connected.

And within a few minutes, you may also find yourself quietly wondering how "normal school" ever became the default.

🌿 Overview

Located deep within nature, One Heart Tribe sits on expansive land that feels entirely immersed in forest life. The journey there is part of the experience — a scenic, slightly rugged drive that gradually pulls you away from the pace of everyday life.

(It's the kind of drive where Google Maps becomes more of a suggestion than a guarantee.)

This is a fully sustainable setting, with its own water source and a strong emphasis on living in harmony with the environment. It feels remote in the most beautiful way — like a hidden pocket of calm and intention.

🌿 The Environment

Nature is not an addition here — it is the foundation.

Children spend their days surrounded by trees, open land, and fresh air. There is a working farm where they can harvest vegetables, collect eggs from chickens, and even take part in selling produce, giving them a real sense of responsibility and connection to the land.

It's the kind of hands-on learning that makes you realise how little most of us actually knew about where our food came from growing up.

There are spaces for quiet moments too — areas for meditation, learning about herbalism, and simply being still. Alongside this, there is endless opportunity for movement, exploration, and play, from climbing trees to roaming through their own forest.

(And yes, getting dirty is very much part of the curriculum.)

🌿 Learning Spaces

The classrooms are based in yurts, which immediately create a feeling of warmth and safety. Inside, the atmosphere is soft and calming — natural light, cushions, low tables, and a sense of ease rather than rigidity.

It's the kind of space that naturally slows you down — even as an adult.

Class sizes are intentionally small, with up to around eight children per group. Currently, there are two mixed-age groups, generally ranging between 7 and 10 years old.

The structure allows for flexibility. Children move between focused learning and outdoor play naturally. If they complete their work earlier, they are free to step outside, play, or engage in movement — supporting independence and self-regulation.

A simple idea, but one that feels surprisingly rare.

🌿 Educational Approach

One Heart Tribe follows a blended, flexible approach to learning.

The core is rooted in inquiry-based and project-led learning, inspired by the IB framework. Alongside this, elements of the Cambridge curriculum are introduced for certain subjects to provide additional academic structure.

There is also a strong emphasis on enrichment. Specialist teachers are brought in for areas such as science, arts, mechanics, and even music recording — giving children exposure to a wide range of skills and experiences.

It creates a rhythm of learning that feels both grounded and expansive — structured, but not restrictive.

It is important to understand that One Heart Tribe operates as a learning hub rather than a formally registered school. It partners with Clonlara Online School in the United States to support academic progression.

🌿 Emotional Wellbeing

Emotional wellbeing sits at the heart of everything here.

There is a clear and intentional focus on helping children understand their emotions, express them openly, and learn how to regulate themselves in a supportive environment.

The founder created this space from a desire to move away from fear-based learning — particularly the fear of making mistakes, which so many children carry.

Here, mistakes are part of the process, not something to avoid.

(A concept that, if we're honest, many adults are still learning.)

Children are encouraged to speak, reflect, and grow emotionally alongside their academic learning, creating a more balanced and confident sense of self.

🌿 Community & Parent Involvement

Community is a central part of the experience at One Heart Tribe.

Parents are encouraged to be actively involved — whether through joining trips, supporting activities, or sharing their own skills within the learning hub.

It's not a completely hands-off environment — but for many families, that's part of the appeal.

There is an openness in communication between families, teachers, and the founder, with challenges and conflicts addressed directly and constructively.

For many families, the transition into this environment can feel like a reset. Some parents describe the first month as a kind of "detox," as both children and adults adjust to a different rhythm of learning, connection, and priorities.

(And like any reset, it can feel unfamiliar before it feels natural.)

🌿 Important Considerations

🌿 A New Chapter — Meeting Vanessa in Malveira da Serra

Alongside my visit to One Heart Tribe, I also had the pleasure of meeting Vanessa, who will be opening an additional hub linked to One Heart Tribe in Malveira da Serra.

Vanessa is a deeply passionate person with a beautiful, considered vision for the younger years — and that warmth comes through almost immediately when you speak with her.

(The kind of energy that makes you feel your child would be in genuinely caring hands.)

Her pod is currently in the process of being designed and built, with the hope of becoming operational from September, or January at the latest.

The location offers easier access than One Heart Tribe, while still sitting within equally beautiful grounds — surrounded by nature, open space, and even a few friendly goats to greet the children.

(Because no alternative learning experience feels quite complete without at least one curious goat.)

Her vision aligns closely with Karina's, and the two hubs will operate in close connection — supporting one another, sharing ideas, and drawing on Karina's established network to bring in experienced teachers, several of whom have already been shortlisted.

This is very much a project in progress, and one I will continue to follow closely. I'll share more updates as it develops — so stay tuned.

🌿 My Honest Reflection

One Heart Tribe is a space that will deeply resonate with families looking for something more personal, nature-led, and emotionally grounded.

Children who thrive here are often those who benefit from smaller groups, freedom of movement, and a learning environment that values emotional safety as much as academic growth.

It is not a conventional path — but it doesn't try to be.

For the right family, it can feel not just different, but deeply aligned.

🌿 Final Thoughts

Alternative education is a beautiful, and at times complex, journey.

Spaces like One Heart Tribe remind us that learning can look very different when we slow down, reconnect with nature, and place the child at the centre of the experience.

And sometimes, it gently invites us to reconsider what we once thought was the only way.

🌿 Feeling Unsure What This Actually Means for Your Family?

Reading about schools is one thing — figuring out whether they're the right fit for your child is something else entirely.

Every family I speak to is navigating slightly different questions:

And this is often where things start to feel overwhelming.

I work with families to bring clarity to that process — to help you understand not just what a school offers, but whether it genuinely aligns with your child, your values, and your plans.

If you are exploring alternative education and need guidance, reassurance, or simply someone who understands the journey — I'm here to support you.

Kasia,
Founder of Roots & Pebbles
Alternative Education Guidance.