What is Forest School? 

Forest School is an inspirational process, that offers ALL learners regular opportunities to achieve and develop confidence and self-esteem through hands-on learning experiences in a woodland or natural environment with trees.

At Forest School all participants are viewed as:  equal, unique and valuable

• competent to explore & discover
• entitled to experience appropriate risk and challenge
• entitled to choose, initiate and drive their own learning and development
• entitled to experience regular success
• entitled to develop positive relationships with themselves and other people
• entitled to develop a strong, positive relationship with their natural world

This learner-centred approach interweaves with the ever-changing moods and marvels, potential and challenges of the natural world through the seasons, to fill every Forest School session and programme with discovery and difference.

Yet each programme also shares a common set of principles, aimed at ensuring that all learners experience the cumulative and lasting benefits that quality Forest School offers.

The six Principles are:

1. Forest School is a long-term process of frequent and regular sessions in a woodland or natural environment, rather 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 continuously maintain and develop their professional practice.

6. Forest School uses a range of learner-centred processes to create a community for development and learning 

Information retrieved from: https://www.forestschoolassociation.org/what-is-forest-school/ 

Please visit the website for more information centred around Forest School and its history.

What does Forest school look like at Anthony Curton Primary?

During your child’s time at school, they will receive a minimum of a term of Forest school. Each term a class will receive 1 hour a week of Forest School with Mrs Burch (Level 3 Forest School Leader), and a teaching assistant. This is rotated each term to allow children to experience Forest School within the changing seasons.

 

Reception class experience Forest School for a whole afternoon each week during the whole year.

Within our ever-developing forest school area, there is already present a range of flora and fauna. Over the next few years we are hoping to improve this site to allow for all our children to be able to experience as much as they possibly can within their own school environment. As the site is within school grounds, there is no access for the public to enter whilst we undertake our Forest school sessions. This maintains the safety of our children at all times.

Alongside the children gaining a wealth of new skills within Forest School, we want them to become a big part in the changes of our site and allow for them to care and protect their environment. Allowing for it to continue to be a habitat for birds and animals; and to encourage the children to immerse themselves in nature as explorers and protectors.

In addition to Forest School, outdoor learning is highly encouraged within both our partnership schools and each year group is encouraged to complete one lesson a week outside.

Want to see what fun things we have been doing?

Check out our school Twitter page for weekly Forest School updates!

www.twitter.com/anthonycurton