Forest School
Intent
‘Forest School is an inspirational process that offers ALL learners regular opportunities to achieve and develop confidence and self-esteem through hands-on learning experiences in a woodland or natural environment with trees’. (Forest School Association)
At Hareside Primary School, through our Forest School sessions, we hope to encourage independent, enthusiastic and creative learners who develop holistically through a well-planned and interesting child-centred approach.
Implementation
The Forest School Principles and how they link to our setting:
- Forest School is a long term process of frequent and regular sessions and aims for children to visit in blocks of six week each season. Planning, adaptation, observations and reviewing are all integral parts of the Forest School process.
- It takes place in designated forest school area on school site. The area is under development to encourage more biodiversity and learning opportunities for the learners.
- We aim to promote the holistic development in all of those involved, fostering resilient, confident, independent and creative learners.
- We will offer learners the opportunity to take supported risks appropriate to the environment and themselves.
- It will be managed by a qualified Forest School Practitioner and supported by teaching staff who will also undergo Forest school CPD sessions so that they can support effectively.
- We will use a range of learner centred processes to create a community for development and learning.
Impact
At Hareide Primary School we are committed to the ethos of Forest School and aim to:
• Fulfil every child’s potential
• Develop a love of learning that creates independent and confident learners
• Promote a secure, exciting and fascinating learning environment
• Support a positive relationship with home and the wider community
• Promote children’s self-esteem
• Encourage independence
• Promote positive behaviour to ensure the safe running of Forest School sessions
• Provide appropriate adult:child ratios
• Plan sessions that contribute towards a safe environment
• Support the wider ecological goals of the school community
Forest School Clothing
Forest School sessions will take place in all weathers unless the safety of the participants is in question, due to high winds or ice.
‘There is no such thing as bad weather, just bad clothing’
Suitable clothing is essential for everyone participating; we need to be adequately dressed in order to gain the full learning potential of the session.
In their kits, children should have:
• Long sleeved t-shirt
• Trousers, to reduce the risk of bites, stings and scratches
• Waterproof over trousers or dungarees and jacket
• Long socks, wellies or old trainers (in very hot dry weather)
• During the summer, a sunhat and sunscreen should be supplied
• During the colder months, extra layers such as a fleece, leggings, tights, hats and gloves etc. are required.
Children should arrive at school in their Forest School clothes on the day they take part in forest school.