Our Aims in Forest School

To ensure each pupil attending our forest school and outdoor areas has the opportunity to develop an inquisitive and positive relationship with the natural world.

Increasing confidence, self-esteem and respect in preparation for an ever changing world, and for every pupil to have the opportunity to achieve their holistic, full potential.

• To provide an opportunity for individuals to develop, to learn and to enjoy themselves in the outdoors.

• To provide a safe and non-threatening environment in which children can take risks, make choices and initiate their own learning.

• To help children understand, appreciate and care for the natural environment.

• To provide ways of developing practical life skills in an outdoor environment.

• To develop self-esteem, confidence and a positive disposition to learning through the completion of small, achievable tasks.

• To develop social and team working skills

• To enable children to be independent, self-motivated and considerate.

• To develop a secure, happy and welcoming environment.

• To provide stimulation and varied learning activities appropriate to the child’s needs and stages of development.

Forest School Philosophy

The philosophy of Forest Schools is to inspire individuals of any age through positive outdoor experiences and provide them an opportunity to appreciate the wider, natural world to encourage a responsibility for nature conservation in later life. 

Forest school Involves

• Child initiated learning;
• Being outdoors;
• Integration with the National Curriculum;
• Delivery by a trained leader– Mrs Smith
• Fun

Forest School helps to develop:

• Confidence and self-esteem;
• Communication and social skills;
• Physical skills;
• Greater understanding and awareness of the natural environment;
• Natural motivation and a positive attitude to learning;
• The ability to recognise and manage risk;
• Healthier lifestyles.

Statement of Aims

It is a matter of principle that the Forest School personnel respect the policies of the school and Local Education Authority.  However, there are particular issues relating to the woodland, the specialist tools used there and with lighting fires which are not included in the standard Health and Safety policy and for which this document is an addendum. This document should be regularly reviewed, dated and signed along with the rest of the Health & Safety Policy.

Forest school sessions offer learning opportunities for children and young people. Part of their purpose is to encourage participants to face new challenges and to learn to take reasonable risks. In order to do that safely, the adults involved must know their role and ensure that the necessary risk assessments are carried out regularly and thoroughly.  Risks can rarely be eliminated entirely, but they can be reduced to a minimum without unduly limiting opportunities for children to explore and learn.