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Forest School

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Forest School's Leader

Alison, our Headteacher, qualified as a Level 3 Forest School's Leader in 2020. All children in their preschool year get an opportunity to attend Forest School, which is based in an area known as 'The Wilderness', a mere ten minute walk from the nursery school.

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Typically, children will attend Forest School in groups of 6-8 children, with a second member of staff supporting the session. Sessions take place in three week blocks, with one session, ~2h in length per week. We aim for each child to attend Forest School at least 6 times in their preschool year (typically this is in two blocks).

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Activities at Forest School

We have all sorts of adventures at Forest School. Some of the things we have done include:

  • Cooking on a Kelly Kettle > We have made soup, spring rolls, scrambled eggs, 'fakeon' butties and even flat breads!

  • We have gone on listening walks, using our sense of hearing to explore the woods.

  • We have gone fishing in the Wilderness Beck (where the woodland gets its name).

  • We have made snacks for reindeer.

  • We've built dens to shelter us from the rain.

  • We've created a map of the story of 'The Three Billy Goats Gruff', and accurately retold the story.

  • We've made hedgehogs out of clay and natural resources we've found in the woods.

  • We've been on minibeast hunts and build bug hotels

  • We have even hunted for elephant poo, as part of a nursery school project based on the story 'Handa's Surprise'.

  • We've looked for the colours of autumn and created 'Leaf Man' inspired sculptures.

  • We've played hide and seek, climbed 'the mountain' and rolled down the slope.

  • We've crossed the stepping stones, 'trip trapped' our way over the bridge and splashed in the beck.

  • We've told stories at every session and sung songs on every walk home.

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What Does Forest School Do For Us?

  • Provides opportunities of risk, challenge and adventure.

  • Develops team working and social skills.

  • Embraces child led learning.

  • Reconnects children to nature and place.

  • Provides opportunities for outdoor learning.

  • Opportunities for active and experiential learning through play.

  • The ethos of Forest School focuses on raising confidence and self-esteem, through the provision of small, repeatable tasks and nurturing their personal, social and emotional development through the development of their social and team-working skills

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Forest school is situated among contemporary movements in education and child development (Harris, F. (2018) Outdoor learning spaces: The case for the forest school area, Vol. 50, No. 2, pp222-231)

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