About The Scaip Project
The Scaip Project was started by a group of staff, parents and Forest School Leaders from within the Dalkey School Project N.S. community in 2024. Our school was celebrating 10 years of providing Forest School to its students and we wanted to create a space where we could share that learning with other schools across Ireland and the world. "Scaip" is the Irish word for scatter, and our project aims to scatter the “Forest School seed” we’ve grown in our school far and wide.
Meet Our Team
Our team has many years of experience working with children in outdoor learning environments, as well as lots of passions, skills and talents from our diverse backgrounds!
Jennifer Dungan
Primary Teacher, Nature Based Learning Specialist
Yuuki Blakeney
Forest School Leader, Environmental Specialist
Sarah Sheeran
Forest School Leader, Communications Specialist
A primary teacher for over 20 years, Jenny introduced Forest School to Dalkey School Project in 2015 and has been collaboratively developing it ever since. She has become a leading facilitator in Nature Based Learning in Ireland and delivers training for new Forest School leaders through the QQI Level 6 Forest School Leadership course with Environmental Education Centre, Brigit’s Garden. She also works with teachers to develop confidence and competence in Nature Based Learning. Her background includes community facilitation, gardening, foraging and using creativity to learn about our interconnected world and how to make it a better place for all. She is a founding member of the Irish Forest School Association.
Liz McMahon
Artist, Forest School Leader
Liz studied Fine Art in Limerick College of Art and Design, graduating in 1981. Since then she has been working with children in and out of school on creative long-term programmes. She has been working both as a facilitator and been on the steering group of Creativity in the Classroom for the past 20 years. She has worked as a Forest School Leader with DSP since 2015.
Yuuki previously worked as an environmental consultant in Tokyo, worked as a researcher, and published papers on the ecological and cultural value of the natural environment.
In 2015 she qualified as a Level 3 Forest School leader and founded Sense of Wonder Forest School. She has also served as Chairperson of DSP Parent Teacher Association.
She currently works with a number of school and community groups to deliver Forest School programmes in Dublin and teaches in the Dublin School for Japanese children.
Miriam Hurley
Former School Principal, Education Policy Advisor
Miriam was the Principal of Dalkey School Project (DSP) for 15 years and previously worked as a teacher in Monkstown ETNS. She is currently a member of the Board of Directors of the Educate Together network. Miriam brings a broad range of educational knowledge and community-building skills.
Sarah has over 15 years experience as a Digital Strategy Lead and Project Co-ordinator for leading video and TV agency indiepics. She has served as a board member of indiepics and as Chairperson of the DSP Parent Teacher Association. In 2023 she completed a degree in Botanical Cuisine in TUD Dublin including modules in horticulture and sustainable food and she qualified as a Forest School Leader in 2024. She currently works as a Forest School Leader with Sense of Wonder Forest School and DSP and coordinates the DSP School Garden Club.
Our Goal
Our goal is for all children in Ireland to have the opportunity to lead their play and learning in nature as an integral part of their education and healthy development. We are working towards this goal through advocacy, communications, support and training for teachers and principals.
Who is supporting us?
To date the work of The Scaip Project has been carried out by a team of very dedicated volunteers from within the Dalkey School Project community. In 2024 the project received some funding from the Department of Education's Education for Sustainable Development fund and the Féilte fund. The patron body Educate Together and the Irish Forest School Association have also given their support to the project. We are currently seeking sponsors and funding partners to help us continue to the next phase of this exciting project.