Forest school is an outdoor programme, which involves a long term approach of the benefits of learning outdoors. 

Sessions take place outdoors and will involve an active use of woodland area, with each session aiming to develop, self-esteem, confidence and a growing knowledge and respect for the outdoors. Through their exploration of appropriate risk, children’s curiosity of the outdoors grows and allows them to appreciate their potential and courage.

During the sessions, the children will learn a variety of bush crafts, such as; whittling, cooking with fire, shelter building, knot tying and flora and fauna identification. The application of these skills are fully supported by a qualified forest school practitioner

Benefits

‘Research now backs up what forest school practitioners have known all along – that children and young people are stimulated by the outdoors and typically experience, over time, an increase in their self-belief, confidence, learning capacity, enthusiasm, communication and problem-solving skills and emotional well-being.’ https://www.forestschooltraining.co.uk/forest-school/the-benefits/

Forest school learning allows children to enjoy and achieve; trying out practical activities in the form of small, achievable tasks independently or as part of a team. The sessions encourage a healthy lifestyle as the children are active for a large section of the time, as well as the growth in confidence and self-esteem encouraging positive mental health.

The ‘wild’, and yet controlled, safe environment of Forest School ensures that children taking part naturally learn to assess risk and are encouraged to make sensible and informed decisions about how to deal with unfamiliar and unpredictable situations. Within this page, you can view examples of the forest schools session that have taken place.