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Forest School

We are very excited that our Forest School sessions are now provided by Be Free Forest School and all our children will have the opportunity to explore our very own ‘Elmwood Forest’ area.

What is Forest School?

Forest Schools is all about getting out into the woods to explore and learn. It was developed in Scandinavia in the 1950s using a woodland setting as an ‘outdoor classroom’ as a way of helping young people learn about the natural world.

Forest school is an opportunity for your child to experience nature and the outdoor environment in a safe, secure and hands on way. Children are encouraged to develop their independence, improve their decision making skills, and raise their self-esteem through small achievable tasks and new learning opportunities that require perseverance and team work. The activities help children to take risks safely, take care of themselves and others and take responsibility.

What happens in Forest School?

Forest school sessions will take place in ‘Elmwood Forest’ which is situated on the school site (to the left of the driveway into the site). This is a private forest area which is accessible only to the Infant School.

Each class will have weekly forest school sessions for three half terms a year which are led by Jude Vinton from Be Free Forest School. Children will also be supported by their Class Teacher, Teaching Assistants and Learning Support Assistants during these sessions.

The children will begin each session in our story circle area where the activities for the session will be explained to them. Activities might include den building, tree / minibeast identification, team games, fire building, crafts such as clay sculptures, making willow crowns as well as stories and sharing. The session will end back at the story circle where the children will be able to reflect on their learning.

Forest School aims for children:

  • To build their self-esteem and confidence
  • To become independent learners
  • To stay safe and establish their own boundaries for risk taking
  • To show creativity, innovation, motivation and problem solving
  • To be able to explore at their own pace