Welcome to the children’s zone

We’re so happy you’re here!

Children feeding baby lambs in a pen with straw bedding.

Meet your teachers, watch videos, and see what we do‍

New Leaf Learning is a fun, safe place where you can explore, learn, and grow through nature.

Six children standing in woodland on a New Leaf Learning course with their backs to the camera, raising their arms in celebration or excitement amidst fallen branches and tall trees, sunlight filtering through the leaves.
A young boy holding a flower and a group of three adults and a child in a garden with greenery and flowering plants, on New Leaf Learning course in Northamptonshire.
Two young girls playing with toy construction vehicles in an outdoor sandbox and on grass, on New Leaf Learning course in Northamptonshire.
A fried breaded item cooking in a black cast iron skillet outdoors over an open fire, at New Leaf Learning course in Northamptonshire.
Kids' hands planting or mixing soil in a gardening tray on New Leaf Learning course in Northamptonshire.
Four children sitting on a wooden bench in an outdoor park, watching a person behind a fence in the background, on New Leaf Learning course in Northamptonshire.
A young boy petting a black horse over a wooden fence in a rural setting with trees in the background, on New Leaf Learning course in Northamptonshire.
Child climbing a small makeshift fort made of sticks in a wooded area with fallen leaves, on New Leaf Learning course in Northamptonshire.
Three people, including a young boy, an elderly woman, and a young woman, gather around a tree stump outdoors. They are examining something on the stump, possibly a small insect or plant, in a natural, wooded setting on New Leaf Learning course.
Person holding a small white flower plant on New Leaf Learning course in Northamptonshire.
Two children climbing a tree in a wooded area on New Leaf Learning course in Northamptonshire.
People browsing items for sale outdoors near a creek in a park surrounded by trees on New Leaf Learning course in Northamptonshire.
Children standing in front of a black animal enclosure celebrating or observing something on New Leaf Learning course in Northamptonshire.
Two children gently holding a small yellow chick in their hands, on New Leaf Learning course in Northamptonshire.
Children caring for baby sheep in a straw enclosure, bottle-feeding them on New Leaf Learning course in Northamptonshire.
Person in a pink jacket, blue pants, and a purple knit hat standing in front of a large, hollowed, and weathered tree stump in a forest during fall.
Close-up of hands with rings creating a dreamcatcher with a circular wooden frame, wrapped with white thread and decorated with feathers and black fabric.
Children playing drums and dancing in a room with wooden floors and piano in the background.


Hear from a child your age who has already been on the course

They’ll tell you what they did, how it felt, and what made it fun!

Read more with your grown up

  • A picture of children and teachers in the walled garden exploring vegetables on the New Leaf Learning course

    Growing at Courteenhall

    Once upon a time, a tiny seed was planted in the soft soil at Courteenhall.
    With water, sunshine, and care, it slowly grew tall and strong.

    When you come to Courteenhall, you can grow too — in your body, your heart, and your mind.

    You’ll play outside, listen to nature, try calm yoga, and enjoy happy drumming in a safe and peaceful place.
    You’ll learn to grow your courage, kindness, calm, strength, and how you care for others.

    We call this growing TRUST — Trying, being Resilient, Understanding others, staying Calm, and working as a Team.

  • A happy teacher playing a drum on the New Leaf Learning course

    Caring for yourself

    Each day will bring something new to try.

    You might explore the walled garden, plant seeds, paint an oak tree, play the drums, and make friends.

    Some things will feel easy, and some might feel a bit wobbly — and that’s okay!
    That’s how you grow resilience, by trying again and believing in yourself.

    There will be quiet moments too — time to sit, breathe, listen to birds, and feel calm.
    Just like a plant resting in the shade, stillness helps you grow strong.

  • children playing in woodland on the new leaf learning course at courteenhall

    Caring for others and growing together

    You won’t grow on your own — you’ll grow with friends, teachers, and the world around you.
    You’ll learn to care for others, just as they care for you, noticing when someone needs help or a kind word.

    When you make music together, build things outside, or share ideas, you’ll learn teamwork — how everyone brings something special, like each petal on a flower.

    By the time you finish at Courteenhall, you’ll have strong roots of confidence and branches full of kindness.
    You’ll know how to stay calm, try your best, and help others grow too — because when we care for ourselves and each other, everyone blossoms.

Meet your New Leaf teachers

  • A smiling woman with blonde hair and blue eyes standing outdoors in a garden with lush greenery and flowers, wearing a navy blue shirt with a logo that says 'New Leaf' and arms crossed.

    Alex Preston | BA Hons, PGCE, SQC Psychology

    Lead Teacher

    Meet Mrs Preston our Lead Teacher at New Leaf Learning. She helps make sure everyone feels safe, happy, and ready to learn. She’s worked in schools for over 20 years, helping teachers and pupils do their very best.

    Mrs Preston cares deeply about New Leaf and every child who comes here. She created The TRUST Programme — a special way of learning that helps children build confidence, understand their feelings, and work well together.

    Mrs Preston loves seeing children grow, try new things, and believe in themselves every day.

  • A woman with short gray hair smiling outdoors in a garden with green foliage, wearing a navy blue shirt with a logo.

    Preety Sidhu | BA Hons, QTS, MSc Integrative Counselling

    Teacher

    Meet Ms Sidhu, a teacher for twelve years, working with lots of different year groups in primary schools. She always cared deeply about her pupils’ feelings and wanted everyone to enjoy learning in a way that felt right for them.

    Now, Ms Sidhu helps children and families at New Leaf Learning understand and manage their feelings when life feels tricky — for example, when someone is sad, worried, or going through a big change.

    When she’s not working, Ms Sidhu loves taking her dog for walks, going to the gym, and baking tasty cakes!

  • A woman with glasses and long curly hair smiling while holding a small drum in an outdoor setting with trees.

    Trudie Pape | BSc Paediatric Nursing, PGDip Specialist Community Public Health Nursing

    Yoga and Drumming Teacher

    Meet Mrs Pape who has been helping children and families for over 20 years. She first worked as a nurse and a health visitor, supporting mums, babies, and children.

    She then started her own business called The Zen Den, where she teaches mindfulness and meditation — helping people feel calm, happy, and confident.

    At New Leaf, Mrs Pape leads drumming and yoga sessions where you’ll have fun, try new things, and learn that it’s okay to feel however you feel.

See where we are and what makes our course so special

Courteenhall is a beautiful countryside estate where New Leaf Learning takes place. It’s full of trees, fields, and friendly animals — and even has an old Grammar School where we do some of our learning.

You can watch the video below to see the lovely nature, the buildings, and some of the animals you might meet when you visit!