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Forest School
"The best classroom and the richest classroom is roofed only by the sky."
Margaret McMillan
Forest School is a unique educational approach that utilises natural spaces, like woodlands, to facilitate learning and personal development. It's a long-term, learner-led process that encourages exploration, risk-taking, and hands-on experiences in a natural environment. Unlike traditional classroom settings, Forest School emphasises holistic development, boosting confidence, self-esteem, and social skills alongside academic learning.
Intent
During Forest School, we strive to give all of our children the opportunity to build their own self-esteem and self-confidence within an environment outside the classroom.
We aim to:
- Ensure an understanding of our beautiful environment and how we can protect and sustain it.
- Develop independence.
- Encourage a healthier lifestyle and body.
- Have a positive impact on children's behaviour.
- Create pride in the school, it's setting and the local community.
- Develop children as responsible citizens who make a positive contribution to society.
Children learn knowledge about the natural world and an understanding of the impact people can have on this. They develop their communication and teamwork skills through exploring, collaborating, working and playing with others. Children show resilience through learning new skills and undertaking activities that they may find challenging. They develop their problem-solving skills through tasks they are set and outcomes they are asked to deliver. Finally the children have the opportunity to further their diligence by working to the best of their ability.
Implementation
All children take part in a sequence of Forest School sessions each year, delivered by members of staff who are suitably trained and accredited.
Forest School is based on the field in a woodland area, which has been set up specifically to support the effective delivery of forest school.
All sessions are tailored to meet the needs, abilities and age of every child. Each session contains a range of activities through which the children learn knowledge and skills, and includes a time for free play. As the site becomes more developed, Forest School will be carefully linked to other areas of the curriculum.
Impact
Through the delivery of our curriculum children are equipped with knowledge and understanding about the natural world and how they can enjoy and protect this. They learn skills to use a variety of tools safely. They grow in confidence and self-esteem by meeting challenges and facing new experiences. They are enthused to play an active role in protecting and sustaining the environment in their own homes, community, nationally and globally.
Downloads
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| Forest Schools progression of skill |

