What is Forest School?
Forest School is run by trained Leaders and aims to build up children’s skills, abilities and confidence through practical hands-on activities in the outdoors. It gives our children the chance to explore, learn and discover at their own pace in a safe and supportive space. The children have fun and play in their ever-changing outdoor ‘classroom’. Forest School uses natural resources to stimulate imagination, creativity and investigation.
Our Vision
Forest School sessions support a holistic approach to educating the whole child e.g. through physical, emotional, social, spiritual and intellectual development. It is a child centred approach to learning which facilitates a hands-on response to the children’s interests and needs. This includes developing practical skills, using tools to build and create, and improving physical motor skills.
Our Forest School is a very special place where children can feel safe to take risks and develop relationships with both adults and their peers. Sessions are an opportunity to inspire all learners through positive outdoor experiences in which they develop a respect and curiosity for their natural environment and recognise the connection between humans, wildlife and the earth. Throughout our Forest School sessions, children are given the opportunity to explore the world through all of their senses, with plenty of time to reflect on their learning and experiences. It is a positive road to mental well-being.
Children’s self-esteem, confidence and social skills are developed whilst learning essential, life-long skills such as perseverance, resilience and independence as well as learning how to deal with both challenges and successes.
Every child has the opportunity to participate in Forest School sessions every year. Our youngest children are fortunate to have more frequent sessions.
