We are the only school in the local area that has a dedicated Forest School teacher!
The forest school concept originated in Scandinavia and enables children to develop their confidence, self-esteem, independence & social skills during child led and curriculum linked activities in our own (on site) woodland setting.
All key stages have weekly sessions and the children are actively involved in developing & maintaining our site plus contributing to the planning of their sessions
Activities:
Story telling & singing, using senses to explore, campfire cooking, den building, wild arts/crafts, wood crafts, site conservation & tool use (pen knife, bow saw & bill hook). These are just some of the experiences children will enjoy!
Principles of Forest School
- Forest School is a long-term process of frequent and regular sessions in a woodland or natural environment, rather than a one-off visit. Planning, adaptation, observations and reviewing are integral elements of Forest School.
- Forest School takes place in a woodland or natural wooded environment to support the development of a relationship between the learner and the natural world.
- Forest School aims to promote the holistic development of all those involved, fostering resilient, confident, independent and creative learners
- Forest School offers learners the opportunity to take supported risks appropriate to the environment and to themselves. (FSA)
Our Forest School is run by a qualified Forest School practitioner who continuously maintains and develops their professional practice.
As a school we have recently been awarded by the Woodland Trust the Gold award in the Green Tree Award which all of the children have worked hard together to achieve.
We can measure our Forest School achievements using our progressive plan which children can earn certificates when they have completed age appropriate activities for example-
Nursery/EYFS - Identifying mini beasts, making an obstacle course
YEAR 1/2 - Recall fire safety rules, whittle safely
YEAR 3/4 - Create a group game, Identify local trees
YEAR 5/6 - Identify habitats, Use tools safely
To promote the benefits of Forest School and to create community links we hold termly community sessions for pre school age children and their carers.
Sessions
Every class has a weekly session.
Nursery - One morning per week
EYFS - One afternoon per week
Year 1-6 - One-hour session per week
Every half term, children in years 1-6 will receive (in addition to their weekly hour session) a whole afternoon session.
- Create a face on a tree or on the floor with natural materials
- Take a photo of signs of spring that you find
- Try some natural weaving
- Build a fairy house
- Make a recycled bird feeder or bug hotel
- Map your garden use steps for your scale & create a key, try to name as many trees & plants that you can
- Create pebble art
- Paint or draw a view in your garden
- Practice your knot skills
- Build a den
- Go on a bug hunt
- Be a nature detective looking for animal tracks on a walk
- Write a nature story or poem
- Find out interesting facts about a mini beast or woodland creature & make a fact sheet for display at school