The different settings within the school grounds offers a range of opportunities; sessions take place in the woodland, pond, willow area or on the large fields.

These natural green spaces provide a less structured learning environment and is an opportunity for children to enhance their knowledge and skills.

As well as building motivation, confidence and self-esteem, Forest School makes links with the classroom curriculum and enables practical and nature-based learning to take place beyond the classroom.

Children’s hands on experiences with nature has many benefits.

Activities are adapted to meet the individual needs and interests of each child. Forest School supports different learning styles and encourages children to make discoveries using all the senses.

Sessions use a child centred approach, which is an empowering process for children. It allows them to take responsibility for their learning and development and evaluate risks for themselves.This can raise aspiration, motivation and inspire creative thinking.

Children are encouraged to use a broad vocabulary to describe the natural environment and the different activities helps extend their language. Speaking and listening opportunities occur through incidental conversation and opportunities to talk and share ideas through circle times, games and team building activities to encourage collaboration with peers. Children learn about their surroundings from information books and their imagination is fostered through exciting fictional stories.

It is easy to see how Forest School supports knowledge and understanding of science especially as sessions takes place outside in all weathers all year round. The encounters children make with the different elements allows them to experience the seasons and changing weather patterns. Children learn about the diversity of the living world in their woodland and pond. They learn how to identify plants, birds, animals and other living organism s and how to support the local wildlife.

Children are taught how to use tools safely and develop practical skills with equipment they would not normally have access to. As well as learning woodland craft, their skills are linked to focused topics, such as building bird boxes.

Children learn how to use loppers, secateurs, peelers, hand drills, bow saws and an axe as well as lashing and how to tie different types of knots. They can apply their skills in mini self-directed projects. These activities help children build strength and co-ordination supporting physical development.       

Art projects take on many forms at Forest School. The woodcraft products they create with tools can capture children’s imagination and have multiply uses as ideas evolve. A whittled stick can become a magic wand then be used to cook marshmallows. A mallet a child makes can be used for making Leaf Print art. Children can design and create sculptures out of naturally found objects or make charcoal pencils and natural paint. They can use their self-made art materials to produce observational sketches and drawings of their environment.

This is a great way to capture and record their experiences. Children enjoy representing their favourite fictional characters as stick men, learning to weave and making sticky weed crowns.

Working in the outdoors and with the natural environment can be an inspiring process for children and give them the freedom to imagine, design, construct and think creatively.

Children support each other and work together as a forest school community. They follow rules and understand how these keep them safe. They work together using tools like the bow saw. Children collaborate in projects such as building dams, den building, and making play equipment. Group activities support social communication skills; children negotiate, share ideas and listen to others.