Outdoor Learning and Forest School
What is Forest School?
Forest School offers children regular opportunities to achieve and develop confidence and self-esteem through hands-on learning experiences in a natural environment.
In Forest School we place the emphasis on the journey rather than the outcome, providing emotional and physical space for child-led learning to come alive.
Children are nurtured to:
- Explore and discover at their own pace
- Initiate and drive their own learning
- Experience regular success
- Develop positive relationships with themselves, others and their natural surroundings
- Learn practical skills in a safe environment.
When and where does Forest School take place?
With our large outdoor space, we are lucky to be able to utilize an area of our school field and transform it into an exciting new Forest School site. This is very much a ‘work in progress’ however, the vision is clear; create a space where children can allow their imagination to run wild, explore their creativity, take risks in a safe environment and explore the natural world.
Currently, Forest School is held on Wednesday afternoons. At present, sessions have been opened to a small group of children however, as our site grows, we aim to offer this to more children and classes.
Forest School runs all year - whatever the weather!
What do the children do?
Children can be found exploring through self-led play, storytelling, role playing and discovering their natural world. Children safely learn practical skills using a range of tools and delight in mastering these skills week on week. Swings are made, bug houses explored, dens designed, hot chocolate and popcorn cooked on the open fire.
Taking turns, co-operation, sitting and listening are all skills you will witness if you join us in Nature and Nurture.
The children's responsibilities include:
- ensuring they are 'ready' to visit the Forest with appropriate clothing for the weather
- thinking about what equipment they may want for the session depending on what activities they want to do
- returning the site as they found it, ensuring all rubbish is collected and tools are safely stored away.
The entire process helps children to take responsibility both for themselves and their actions.
Who leads Forest School?
All sessions are currently led by a Forest School Level 3 Trainee Leader. The leader is responsible for the overall safety of all participants, including volunteers, and carries out risk assessments of the site and any activities.
Sessions are planned by the leader to cater for all the children's needs and are adapted by the children's interests. The leader is assisted by a Forest School Assistant, who is First Aid trained.
