Our Forest School Ethos
Forest School offers a unique educational experience, helping children build confidence, self-esteem, and valuable life skills through hands-on learning in a natural woodland environment. Activities are designed to be engaging and achievable, taking place year-round in all weather conditions!
Rooted in the Forest School concept from Denmark, the approach encourages children to develop social, emotional, and cognitive skills while gaining a deep appreciation of nature. Research shows that children who attend Forest School are better equipped for school, with strong communication skills, high self-esteem, and the ability to work well in groups, leading to improved academic performance.
Forest School Encourages Children to:
- Develop personal and social skills
- Tackle practical problems and challenges
- Use tools to create, build, or manage
- Discover their preferred learning styles
- Explore areas of knowledge that interest them
- Learn to manage setbacks and failures
- Build confidence in decision-making and risk assessment
- Develop practical skills and a healthy lifestyle
- Explore the relationship between humans, wildlife, and the earth
- Experience regular success and achievement
- Reflect on learning experiences
- Enhance language and communication skills
- Improve fine motor skills, concentration, and social skills
- Explore the world through all their senses
The Benefits of Forest School
Forest School is inclusive of all ages and abilities, with the aim of fostering the holistic development of each individual. It is especially beneficial for children who struggle with low self-esteem or have difficulty learning in a traditional classroom setting.
At Forest School, no child is set up to fail. Activities are adapted to suit individual abilities, ensuring that each participant gains confidence through small, achievable tasks, with plenty of positive reinforcement. This approach leads to improved attitudes towards learning, helping children discover that learning can be both fun and rewarding. This newfound enthusiasm often translates into increased motivation and focus in the classroom.
In addition, Forest School can:
- Develop physical abilities and promote an active, healthy lifestyle
- Improve emotional and social skills
- Encourage teamwork and cooperative learning
- Foster a sense of care for self and others
- Cultivate appreciation and respect for wildlife and nature
- Expand knowledge of the natural world
What Happens at Forest School?
Each class participates in a series of activities throughout the year. These hands-on, practical sessions aim to progressively build participants’ skills, confidence, and abilities.
Each session is carefully planned by our Forest School practitioner, but as the weeks progress, children are given more freedom and responsibility to explore their own interests. This approach promotes self-directed learning and sparks creativity through the use of natural resources.
Activities may include:
- Sensory exploration
- Wild art and mud kitchen
- Scavenger hunts and trails
- Invertebrate and animal tracking
- Tree studies and woodland crafts
- Tool use and shelter building
- Team-building games and rope swings
- Fire lighting and outdoor cooking
Most activities are curriculum-linked, incorporating subjects like Mathematics, English, Design & Technology, Science, Music, and Art.
The Forest School Site
Our Forest School is located in a small, mixed woodland area adjacent to the school field, primarily consisting of mature Scots Pine, Silver Birch, and Oak. The site is managed by its owner, the MOD, and will be further developed to increase habitat diversity as the Forest School evolves.
Situated just outside the school grounds, the site includes a footpath running through the middle, which is carefully monitored. To ensure safety, we actively assess and address potential tripping hazards and poisonous plants.
Children are encouraged to minimize their environmental impact, ensuring respect for the natural surroundings. This includes:
- Learning about the plants and animals in the woodland
- Respecting animals’ habitats
- Observing live creatures with care
- Leaving deadwood in place
- Taking all materials and litter with them leaving the site as they found it