What is Forest School?

"Forest School is an inspirational process that offers ALL learners regular opportunities to achieve, develop confidence and self-esteem, through hands-on learning experiences in a woodland or natural environment with trees. Forest school is a specialised learning approach that sits within and compliments the wider  content of outdoor and woodland education."

Forest School has 6 key Principles:

1. Forest School is a long-term process, with frequent and regular sessions other than a one-off visit. Planning , adaptation, observations and reviewing are integral elements of Forest School.
2. 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.
3. Forest School aims to promote the holistic development of all those involved, fostering resilient, confident, independent and creative learners.
4. Forest School offers learners the opportunity to take supported risks appropriate to the environment and to themselves.
5. Forest School is run by qualified Forest School Practitioners who continually maintain and develop their professional practice.
6. Forest School uses a range of learner-centred processes to create a community for development and learning.

https://forestschoolassociation.org/

What to expect at St Mary's CE Primary School Nursery we offer a broad and balanced curriculum to develop the whole child. Forest School will offer the same broad range of experiences designed to develop the whole child; physically, intellectually, emotionally, socially, spiritually and morally.

We aim to challenge and support the children to become independent resilient learners who enjoy trying out their ideas, working together with their peers to solve problems and conquer challenges.

Some of the challenges might include:

• Shelter building
• Using tools
• Fire lighting
• Forest art
• Planting and harvesting
• Carving and whittling
• Sculpture with natural materials
• Looking after wildlife
• Building bird boxes
• Group games  and Drama
• Looking closely at wildlife
• Cooking on an open fire
• Learning knots
• Physical challenges
• Building bug homes
• Rope and string work
• Bug hunting
• Traditional woodland craft
• Team games
• Telling and listening to stories
• Free play