Introduction

Forest School is an inspirational experience that offers ALL children regular opportunities to achieve and develop their confidence and self-esteem through hands-on learning experiences in our woodland environment.

Forest School is a specialised learning approach that sits within and complements the wider context of outdoor and woodland education. The ethos is shared by thousands of trained practitioners across the UK and beyond. Its roots reach back to early years pioneers in outdoor learning and across the sea to Scandinavia.

During 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, and to 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 natural world through the seasons to fill every Forest School session with discovery and difference. Every session however shares a common set of principles, aimed at ensuring that all learners experience the cumulative and lasting benefits that quality Forest School offers.

    Principles of Forest School These principles were first articulated by the Forest School Community in 2002. They were reviewed in 2011 and sent out for a 5-month consultation to Forest School networks and practitioners in all UK nations. They were published on the Institute for Outdoor Learning Forest School SIG page in Feb 2012, and in the minutes of the GB trainers’ network:

     

  • Forest School is a long-term process of regular sessions, rather than a 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 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 those involved, fostering resilient, confident, independent and creative learners.

  • Forest School offers children 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.

    Our Forest School is led by Ms Nikki Prosser, our Early Years Leader.  At Rose Green Infant School, all children get one Forest School session of 1 hour as part of a whole afternoon of outside learning, once a fortnight, in groups of no more than 15.