Inspiring excellence in craft, design and education using home-grown timber
About Us
The Wood School bridges the gap between education and the wood industry. It is inspiring and educating the next generation of designers, makers, consumers and woodland owners in the value of home-grown timber.
our student experience
Sylva has supported me in connecting my values around the integrity of materials and land use with the reality of how I might build a career, through its emphasis on responsible resource use and the realities of local material availability.
Working within that framework has shifted my perspective from seeing these concerns as largely theoretical, to understanding them as active, everyday decisions within the making process.
The Foundation’s broader network- linking woodland management, education, and commercial practice- demonstrates how furniture making can remain viable, relevant, forward-thinking and responsible.
Molly 2026
Joe and Phil have brought their wealth of experience to creating an exceptional environment for learning and practising furniture making.
The deliberate thought and work put into fostering the community at Sylva is something that I really enjoyed being part of, and is something I will take with me, as much as the practical skills development.
The variety of wood related knowledge that you are able to access on the course, and the way that it is blended into the learning journey, and the thought provoking conversation that it inspires, made my time at Sylva a very rich and rewarding experience.
Andy 2024
The Sylva Summer School experience is a transformative journey where craftsmanship meets creativity, empowering women and non-binary individuals to shape not only wood but also their skills and confidence in a supportive environment. Over a short period, we learned a vast array of techniques and gained invaluable knowledge on forestry. I feel incredibly lucky to have been part of this wonderful project and profoundly recommend it to others!
Franky 2024
