Ep 235 - PARS Playworking with Dr Shelley Newstead
From The Forest School Podcast by Lewis Ames and Wem Southerden
December 12, 2025 · 1h 3m · Season 2 · Episode 235
About this episode
Lewis and Wem discuss playwork with Dr Shelley Newstead, exploring its history, the PARS model, and its relevance to Forest School practice.
In this lively, idea-packed episode of The Forest School Podcast, Lewis and Wem chat with Dr Shelley Newstead about the roots and reality of playwork. Shelley traces adventure playgrounds from Sorensen in Denmark to Lady Allen in post-war Britain, then explains her PARS playwork model that helps adults articulate what they are doing and why. Expect thoughtful links to Forest School practice, clear language for talking to schools and parents, and practical insight on when to step in and when to stand back. They also tackle funding priorities, teens and play, and how to keep practice reflexive rather than nostalgic. Sponsors TENTSILE — Tree tents for educators and explorers. Listeners get 10% off with code ForestChildren10. Chris Holland — Nature connection resources including his 54-page plant guide. Use our affiliate link: https://chrisholland.myshopify.com/?ref=ForestSchoolPodcast ⏱ Chapter Timings 00:00 – Cold open and the promise to keep it normal 01:06 – Meet Dr Shelley Newstead and what playwork is really about 03:18 – From practitioner to PhD and why articulation matters 07:15 – A playwork perspective explained 11:44 – Sorensen, Lady Allen, and the rise of adventure…
People in this episode
Hosts: Lewis Ames, Wem Southerden
Guest: Dr Shelley Newstead
Topics covered
- playwork
- Forest School
- adventure playgrounds
- PARS model
- funding priorities
- teens and play
Keywords
- playwork
- PARS model
- Forest School
- adventure playgrounds
- funding
- teens
- community play
Sponsors
TENTSILE, Chris Holland
Mentioned in this episode
Places: Denmark, Britain
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