Forest School
“Nature is a tool to get children to experience not just the wider world, but themselves.”
– Stephen Moss
We place high importance on outside learning and recognise that learning does not always have to take place within the classroom. We provide our children with many opportunities to learn in the natural environment and apply their learning in real life and practical contexts. We aim to provide a varied, engaging and ambitious Forest School curriculum that is child-centred, its starting points being the needs of our most vulnerable learners. We recognise that our children’s needs are not simply academically based, but also involve their emotional and pastoral wellbeing. This helps to drive our approaches to our children’s learning. We strive to offer opportunities to all children, regardless of ability or background with the aim of developing the whole child and we encourage every child to identify and attain the skills necessary in order to further their potential. Within Forest School our children are encouraged to become courageous and independent people and to take ownership of their learning.
How does Forest School help mental health?
Creating a forest school environment and ethos for children in their early years and primary school setting helps children to develop the strength and resilience needed to cope with emotional difficulties. Children taking part in forest school sessions quickly show evidence of a greater emotional maturity. Great empathy for the living environment may emerge, with much tree hugging and care taken not to disturb animals and growing plants. The children frequently show concern for each other and take responsibility for ensuring each other’s safety, they may remind each other of areas of risk or spontaneously use familiar safety games to ensure everyone remains within hearing.
Forest School sets learning in a different context for children where they can undertake a range of practical activities and carry out small achievable tasks. At Forest School children can develop their team working skills and also learn to become more independent.
1. Confidence Forest School helps children to grow in confidence as a result of the freedom, time and space they are given in their learning. This allows them to demonstrate independence at each individual child’s rate.
2. Social skills Activities such as sharing tools and participating in play help teach the children to work together as a group, which strengthens their bonds and social ties.
3. Communication The sensory experiences provided by Forest School’s helps prompt language development. Improving communication skills has a positive effect on a child’s self-esteem and is a crucial part of their development.
4. Motivation and concentration High levels of interest lead to high levels of attention. Spending time in the woodland is exciting for a child. It tends to fascinate them which develops a strong will to participate and concentrate over long periods of time.
5. Physical skills The increase in outdoor activity is bound to have a positive physical impact. Not only does the development of physical stamina improve but also gross and fine motor skills.
6. Knowledge and understanding Children develop an interest in the great outdoors and respect for the environment. Encouraging children to develop a relationship with the natural world will help in protecting the environment for generations to come.
7. New perspectives Forest School isn’t just beneficial to children it is also beneficial to teachers. Observing their class in a different setting allows them to gain a new perspective and understanding of their class.
8. Ripple effects When children really engage with Forest Schools they will take their experiences home to share with friends and family. This will often encourage families to visit their local woodlands more frequently.
9. Levels the playing field Taking children outside of the classroom removes the pressures of academia and allows them to play to their strengths. This is beneficial to children who struggle in the classroom because there is more of an opportunity for them to learn at their own pace.
10. Enjoyable for the children Forest Schools are fun! It is educational whilst also allowing children to play, explore and discover. Children who participate in Forest Schools are generally observed to be happier. The fresh air, the excitement, getting mucky – it doesn’t get child friendlier than that.
Our Forest School curriculum enables pupils to:
• Identify boundaries, manage risks, make informed decisions, collaborate, lead and support peers and develop positive attitudes.
• To identify and use the correct tools for all tasks and situations.
• To build, start fires, boil water and cook simple dishes which they have prepared.
• To gain a better understanding of nature and the environment around us.