Forest School
Forest School is a unique educational process offering hands-on experiences in a woodland setting.
It provides learners with the freedom to explore, play, manage risks, create and collaborate, whilst developing essential physical, social, emotional and communication skills and increasing in confidence and self-esteem.
Regular sessions help learners to extend their skills as part of a supportive community, facilitated and guided by qualified Forest School leaders.
This flexible approach supports all learners, including those with additional learning, behavioural or emotional needs. A classroom without walls creates new opportunities and experiences each time a group visits. The Forest school ethos mirrors growth mindset ideas, helping to create self-aware, resilient, resourceful, reflective learners who have the ability to work alone or with others.
A Forest School programme offers the following benefits:
- Motivation and engagement
- Opportunity to assess and manage risk
- Emotional intelligence and wellbeing
- Confidence and self-esteem
- Social skills and teamwork
- Resilience and perseverance
- New skills and interests
- Fresh air and physical activity in all weathers
- Connection and understanding of our place in nature
- Knowledge of local plants and animals
Types of activity at Forest School include:
- Campfire cooking
- Bushcraft skills e.g. shelters, fire-lighting, knots
- Using tools
- Social games
- Imaginative play
- Problem solving, building
- Map reading, treasure hunts, navigation, tracking
- Nature ID- flora and fauna
- Nature connection e.g sit spots, journey sticks, gratitude
- Reflection and review