Forest School is an innovative educational approach to outdoor play and learning.  It's philosophy is to encourage and inspire individuals of any age through positive outdoor experiences.  By participating in engaging, motivating and achievable tasks and activities in a woodland environment each participant has an opportunity to develop intrinsic motivation and sound emotional and social skills.  These, through self awareness, can be developed to reach personal potential.

Forest Schools has demonstrated success with all children who visit the same woodland on a regular basis and who have the opportunity to learn about the natural environment, how to handle risks and most importantly to use their own initiative to solve problems and co-operate with others. 

Our Forest School sessions run throughout the year.  Children use full sized tools, learn boundaries of behaviour; both physical and social, establish and grow in confidence and self esteem and become self motivated.

Forest Schools will aim to develop:

• Self Awareness
• Self Regulation
• Intrinsic motivation
• Empathy
• Good social communication skills
• Independence
• A positive mental attitude, self esteem and confidence

We follow the 6 principles of Forest Schools, these are:

• Principle 1: Forest School is a long-term process of frequent and regular sessions in a woodland or natural environment, rather than a one-off visit. 
• Principle 2: Forest School takes place in a woodland or natural wooded environment to support the development of a relationship between the learner and the natural world.
• Principle 3: Forest School aims to promote the holistic development of all those involved, fostering resilient, confident, independent and creative learners.
• Principle 4: Forest School offers learners the opportunity to take supported risks appropriate to the environment and to themselves.
• Principle 5: Forest School is run by a qualified Forest School practitioner who continuously maintains and develops their professional practice.
• Principle 6: Forest School uses a range of learner-centred processes to create a community for development and learning.

Mrs Williams is our Forest School leader. She delivers sessions to all classes throughout the academic year.