Forest School

 
 

We are so fortunate to have our own 'on-site' Forest School including a pond, and also a local community woodland area which we can use for activities such as shelter building. We want Forest School to provide children with the opportunity to spend time outside the classroom exploring and experiencing the natural world and to develop new skills to help to promote confidence, independence, self-esteem and resilience. We want to embrace and nurture their interests in the natural environment encouraging them to discover and become more aware and respectful of the flora and fauna, and to consider how we can take care of it. 

Activities will be predominantly practical and child-led with a structured adult-led activity at the core of the session, for example, using tools. The children will often work as a team encouraging cooperation and collaboration to solve problems, and will be guided to assess and manage risks. Our Forest School Charter will allow them to take ownership over some of these risks and ensure they know how to keep themselves and others safe.

 

 
 

“The more risks you allow children to make, the better they learn to take care of themselves.”

— Roald Dahl

What is Forest School?

“An inspirational process that offers children, young people and adults regular opportunities to achieve, develop confidence and self-esteem through hands-on learning experiences in a local woodland environment.” (FSA)

The Forest School Association (FSA) suggests that the term ‘Forest School’ describes a ‘child-centred inspirational learning process’ offering pupils opportunities for ‘holistic growth through regular sessions’. It is a long-term programme involving playing, exploring and risk-taking, helping pupils to gain confidence in a nurturing environment.

Forest School is underpinned by six main principles which outline its aims including when, where and how it should be delivered. It is these principles which make it unique to other outdoor education.

The Principles of Forest School

There are 6 principles underpinning Forest School and it has its biggest impact when these 6 principles work together:

  1. A long-term process with regular sessions in a woodland environment, rather than a one-off visit. Planning, adaption, observations and reviewing are all integral elements.
  2. Takes place in a woodland or natural wooded environment to support the development of a relationship between the learner and the natural world.
  3. Promotes the holistic development of all those involved, fostering resilient, confident, independent, and creative learners.
  4. Offers learners the opportunity to take supported risks appropriate to the environment and themselves.
  5. Run by qualified Forest School Practitioners who maintain and develop their professional practice.
  6. Uses a range of learner-centred processes to create a community for development and learning