What is Forest School?

 

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 is a specialised learning approach that sits within and compliments the wider context of outdoor and woodland education.

“Kids learn more in the great outdoors!”

— Amanda Newham, FOUNDER/ Primary school Teacher

 

At 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 moods and marvels, potential and challenges of the natural world through the seasons to fill every Forest School session. 

Contact Amanda to learn more →

Principles of Forest School

These principles were first articulated by the Forest School Community in 2002. 

  • FS 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.

  • FS takes place in a woodland or natural environment to support the development of a relationship between the learner and the natural world.

  • FS uses a range of learner-centred processes to create a community for being, development and learning.

  • FS aims to promote the holistic development of all those involved, fostering resilient, confident, independent and creative learners.

  • FS offers learners the opportunity to take supported risks appropriate to the environment and to themselves.

  • FS is run by qualified Forest School practitioners who continuously maintain and develop their professional practice.

  • We have risk assessments for every wood we use.


This ethos creates learning communities where deep-level learning and progression are the norm.