Forest School

What is Forest School?

Mr Holland teaches Forest School on a Tuesday morning (alternating terms with Antrobus St Marks) on the field in our new and improved Forest School area.

Forest School is based on the principle that children of all ages can benefit greatly from the learning opportunities inherently present in an outdoor environment. Forest School provides opportunities in an outdoor setting for children to develop a variety of skills: particularly PSHE skills such as independence, self-discovery, communication, self-esteem and confidence building. Children learn to take risks, use their initiative and co-operate.

Teachers can use the outdoor environment as a vehicle for art activities, key science concepts, developing physical skills and a whole lot more! In a typical session there may be an adult-led activity, but the ethos of Forest Schools also allows time for children to follow their own learning pathways and interests and adults then support them in their learning. 

Every pupil has at least one Forest School session per week – in all weather!

• So far pupils have:
• Built dens
• Made bows and arrows
• Climbed trees
• Built their own rope swing and zip wire
• Enjoyed nature watching and bug hunting

Feedback

“It’s great to have outdoor learning time where children can explore risks sensibly. The children look forward to it every week”

“My children love Forest School whatever the weather. They usually hope for rain so they can build a shelter!”

 “It’s fun at Forest School because you can build whatever you want”

“I love making dens. It’s fun to learn and use the skills from Forest School”

“I like that it’s not a certain subject and I can choose my own learning. I like to climb trees, make zip lines and build rope swings”