Forest School

"Forest School is an inspirational process that offers ALL learners regular opportunities to achieve, develop confidence and self-esteem, through hands-on learning experiences in a woodland or natural environment with trees.

Forest School is a specialised learning approach that sits within and compliments the wider context of outdoor and woodland education."

Forest School has 6 key principles:-

1. Forest School is a long- term process with frequent and regular sessions rather than a one-off visit. Planning, adaption, observations and reviewing are integral elements of Forest School.

2. Forest School takes place in a woodland or natural wooded environment to support the development of a relationship between the learner and the natural world.

3. Forest School aims to promote the holistic development of all those involved, fostering resilient, confident, independent and creative learners

4. Forest School offers learners the opportunity to take supported risks appropriate to the environment and to themselves.

5. Forest School is run by qualified Forest School Practitioners who continuously maintain and develop their professional practice.

6. Forest School uses a range of learner-centred processes to create a communityfor development and learning.

The focus of our Forest Schools is to develop children’s self-esteem, confidence, resilience, wellbeing and practical skills, which can then be transferred to the classroom. We aim to make learning fun and enjoyable so that children develop a positive attitude towards school and learning. To abide by the rules and standards of behaviour. To work cooperatively in groups and to respect each other. To develop a growing awareness of their emotional needs and the needs of others, to learn to cooperate and work with their peers and adults and develop strategies in order to take risks within the boundaries of safety. In addition to Forest schools we encourage outdoor cross curricular learning throughout the year and the enjoyment of an “outdoor” classroom.

“There is no such thing as bad weather, just bad clothing.” Forest School runs in all weathers if rain, snow or sunshine. Before entering our Forest School area, the leader will do an appropriate risk assessment of the site and the weather and make sure the pupils are correctly dressed for the session. A list of preferred clothing will be attached to the parent permission letter; any child that is not appropriately dressed will be unable to participate in that session.

"There is no such thing as bad weather, just bad clothing."