Forest School

Intent

Forest Schools is a child-centred inspirational learning process that uses the outdoor environment. Our aim is to encourage and inspire children through positive outdoor experiences. Children will have the opportunity to learn about our natural environment, how to handle risks and most importantly to use their own initiative to solve problems and cooperate with others.  Our pupils will have the opportunity to develop socially, emotionally, spiritually, physically and intellectually in a real-world environment.

Implementation

Our Forest School embraces the 6 Principles of Forest School:

1. Forest School is a long-term process of regular sessions, rather than one-off or infrequent visits; the cycle of planning, observation, adaptation and review links each session.

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

3. Forest School uses a range of learner-centred processes to create a community for being, development and learning.

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

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

6. Forest School is run by qualified Forest School practitioners, who continuously maintain and develop their professional practice.

Our pupils will be able to choose, initiate and drive their own learning and development, with all participants being treated as equal and valuable. They will be able to explore and discover their place in the world as well experience appropriate risk and challenge.

Encouraging children to care for the environment is an essential part of our Forest School. We will actively promote environmental awareness and encourage sustainability, learning about respect and responsibility for the world around us.

Impact

Through having the freedom, time and space to learn and the opportunity to demonstrate independence, our pupils will develop their confidence as well as their social and communication skills, developing positive relationships with themselves and others. They will also have the opportunity to build their resilience and perseverance through self-motivated learning experiences, problem solving, and learning to cope with failures. Our pupils will also foster a greater interest in their natural surroundings and a respect for the environment.