We are extremely lucky to have 5 members of staff who have completed their Forest School leaders training (Mrs Jordan, Mrs Tsang, Mrs Wilkins-Campbell, Mrs Kerrison and Miss Beveridge). They have been working hard to set up our Forest School area in our Wildlife area on the field.
Forest School
Each class across the year will benefit from a block of lessons at Forest School, learning skills like den building, making tools etc whilst learning about keeping safe, building resilience and working as a team. Our EYFS children benefit from a weekly Forest School lesson all year round.
Our ’forest’ is a small redeveloped area within the school grounds. Within the ‘forest’ is an area known as the fire circle where children can socialise, and where we will have campfires. There is also a ‘bug hotel’ and mini beast area, a mud kitchen and digging area. There are two designated beds for planting. We have a tree stump friendship circle. There are established trees and shrubs and we have a plan to add to these by planting new trees and shrubs across the year. The children are encouraged to investigate & explore but also to respect all living things. We will also be using a range of tools in this area under 1:1 supervision for focused activities.
Research suggests that children learn best from first hand experiences. Exploring, playing and problem solving within the forest school aims to encourage learning using a range of activities both designed by the leader and instigated by the children themselves. Building a sense of independence, high self-esteem and team work are important parts of forest school, but health and safety considerations are always of paramount importance.
Being in nature promotes well-being- happier, healthier children are more open to exploring their world and problem-solving in positive ways. Our Ethos nurtures and fosters resilience creativity and independence in all learners.
Forest School builds on a child’s innate motivation and positive attitude to learning, offering them the opportunities to take risks, make choices and initiate learning for themselves.
We expose our children to small doses of risk, helping them to build resilience to significant risk and promoting positive development in all areas of the child’s personality.
The children’s interests along with the varied natural resources in our woodland are used to stimulate creative thinking, problem solving and skill development, all under the premise of ‘play.’
Our Forest school learning environment provide experiences that encourages an appreciation, awareness and knowledge of the natural environment and provides opportunities to:
- Form positive relationships with others
- Develop a growing awareness of their emotional needs and the needs of others
- Learn to cooperate and work with their peers and adults
- Develop self-esteem, independence and imagination whilst taking appropriate risks with set boundaries.
- Learn specific skills which link to the curriculum
- Develop knowledge and appreciation of the natural world and a forest environment
- To teach resilience and risk taking
For health and safety reasons children need to come to school dressed in their ‘forest school gear’ This will be long sleeves and long trousers in both winter and summer to protect them from insect bites, sunburn, stinging nettles and thorns. Bad weather will not put us off venturing outside so appropriate clothing is essential.
Winter clothing:
- Long sleeved top/jumper
- Long trousers
- Warm hat and gloves
- Wellies or trainers (no open toe shoes)
- Waterproof coat or other coat
Summer clothing:
- Light long sleeved top
- Light long trousers
- Sun hat/cap
- Sun cream
- Wellies or trainers (no open toe shoes)
The sessions will include a tasty snack sometimes made over our fire pit. If you have any questions or concerns regarding forest school please do not hesitate to contact Mrs Jordan or your child’s class teacher for more information.
