What is Forest School?
The following is taken from the Forest School Association website
“Forest School is a child-centred inspirational learning process, that offers opportunities for holistic growth through regular sessions. It is a long-term program that supports play, exploration and supported risk taking. It develops confidence and self-esteem through learner inspired, hands-on experiences in a natural setting.”
Quality Forest School for all!
Quality Forest School is delivery which holds to all six key principles that shape and govern the Forest School ethos. There are many forms of outdoor education and all have enormous value, however, Forest School is unique in its reach, delivery and effect. These six principles are:
• Forest School is a long-term process of regular sessions, rather than one-off or infrequent visits; the cycle of planning, observation, adaptation and review links each session.
• Forest School takes place in a woodland or natural environment to support the development of a lifelong relationship between the learner and the natural world.
• Forest School uses a range of learner-centred processes to create a community for being, development and learning.
• Forest School aims to promote the holistic development of all involved, fostering resilient, confident, independent and creative learners.
• Forest School offers learners the opportunity to take supported risks appropriate to the environment and to themselves.
• Forest School is run by qualified Forest School practitioners, who continuously maintain and develop their professional practice.
https://forestschoolassociation.org/what-is-forest-school/
Why Forest School at St. Paul’s?
I am passionate about our natural environment and the benefits it has for our mental health and well-being. Children love playing outside and in recent times, evidence informs that these opportunities have reduced for some. The following outlines why we have decided to invest In Forest School at St. Paul’s.
• Increase in Social, Emotional & Mental Health (SEMH) needs
• It is inclusive and all our children will take part.
• Learners with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD) – a less noisy and stimulating environment calms the restless mind
• To improve resilience following the pandemic
• To take risks safely – Do all our children do enough of this?
• Overcoming fear
• Holistic development – Social, emotional, spiritual, physical and intellectual.
• Improvements in communication, language and building self-discovery opportunities
• We have seen the benefits from the one-day Forest school sessions delivered by Mr Seddon in recent years
• Passionate staff – We are investing in our pupils’ future
Our Forest School grounds have been developed over the course of 2022 and is now part of our curriculum offer from September 2023. The site covers all of the school field and has a purpose built shelter zone with fire pit, two sheds for storing equipment and dirty wellies, a log store and over 20 newly planted trees of elm, oak, hazel, cherry, & plum. We also utilise the established trees for building shelters and climbing carefully!
Mrs Parker and Mrs Almond are Level 3 Forest School trained and have the outdoor first aid qualification. They lead the sessions supported by Mrs Braddock (Level 2 Forest School trained and outdoor first-aid qualified) and other Teaching Assistants who also support the leaders under their direction and supervision. The timetable for this academic year 2023-2024 is as follows:
Autumn: Year 1 (Mrs Parker), Year 4 (Mrs Almond)
Spring: Year 2 (Mrs Parker), and Year 5 (Mrs Almond)
Summer: Year 3 (Mrs Almond), and Year 6 (Mrs Parker)
If you have any questions or queries regarding any of the above or want further information about Forest School, then please get in touch with the Forest School Team:
Mr Eccleston, Mrs Parker, Mrs Almond and Mrs Braddock.
You are vigilant in ensuring that pupils are safe and well cared for.
