Forest School
The Forest School Ethos
Forest School is a unique educational experience and process that offers children the opportunity to succeed and develop confidence and self-esteem, through hands-on learning experiences in a woodland or other natural environment. Within our Forest School, we want our children to further develop their social, emotional, spiritual, physical and intellectual abilities through working and playing in nature. We want the children to feel safe and develop a connection with the world around them by providing a nurturing environment where they can be free to play and learn, to have a go at new things, learn to take risks and become more independent learners, taking charge of their own choices.
The 6 Principles of Forest School
The six key principles of forest school are:
1. Forest School is a long-term process of regular sessions.
2. Forest School takes place in a natural or woodland environment to support the development of a lifelong relationship between the learner and the natural world.
3.Forest School aims to promote the holistic development of all involved, fostering resilient, confident, independent and creative learners.
4. Forest School offers learners the opportunity to take supported risks appropriate to the environment and to themselves.
5. Forest School is run by qualified Forest School practitioners, who continuously maintain and develop their professional practice.
6. Forest School uses a range of learner-centred processes to create a community for being, development and learning.