Forest School 

INTENT

Forest School is a child-centred inspirational learning process, that offers opportunities for holistic growth through regular sessions. It is a long-term program that supports play, exploration and supported risk taking. It develops confidence and self-esteem through learner inspired, hands-on experiences in a natural setting.- Forest School Association

Within the Forest School sessions we will provide opportunity for outdoor experiences such working with nature, den building, roasting marshmallows, making shelters and creating habitats. Forest School explores the outdoors and the natural environment with practical, useful activities all year round. It is essential that child’s interest will be at the heart of any activity. Forest School encourages children to become independent, use their imagination, take appropriate risks within boundaries and initiate learning for themselves.

At Holy Trinity, we aim to encourage the development of:

• The holistic approach to learning, incorporating children’s individuality and develops their skills for lifelong learning.

• The six areas of learning, including the emotional and spiritual aspects of learning where self-esteem and self-confidence can grow and positive relationships with peers can be formed

IMPLEMENTATION

Aspects of Teaching and Learning

At Holy Trinity the Forest School Leader is still ongoing with the training and every week is embedding new knowledge into the woodland site.

Forest School Leader will have a level 3 Forest School Leader qualification and a first aid qualification.

Forest School Leader will have the overall responsibility for:

• pre-visit site checks and continuous safety monitoring.

• Planning for sessions, differentiation for individual children’s needs.

• Ensuring necessary equipment is taken into woodland.

• Administration of first aid and first aid kit.

• Supervision of tools use, cleaning and storing.

• Organising emergency procedures.

Staff/ students / volunteers: will model good practice throughout the session, carry out delegated roles and responsibilities, extend children’s learning where appropriate by asking extending questions, support children to manage their own risk, remind children of rules and boundaries, be aware of dangers within Forest School and monitor levels of safety at all times, support the Forest School leader to run the sessions.

Timetabling and planning at Holy Trinity ensures that:

EYFS- weekly sessions at Forest School.

KS1- weekly sessions at Forest School

KS2- Each year group alternates every week to enable the children to have the opportunity to access the Forest School site.

BE PREPARED FOR A WHOLE LOT OF FUN & MUD!!!!!

An ask from us to you.....

Forest School sessions will be happening come wind, rain or shine. 

Before the session, I will observe the weather and assess whether it is suitable and safe for the session to still go ahead. The only type of weather when Forest School will be cancelled is extreme heat or thunderstorms. There is plenty of shelter in the woodland for the children to be kept away from severe down poor however, they could still get wet.

So my ask is that children come into school with ideally boots or wellingtons ( anything you don't mind getting ruined) & an all in one waterproof suit with old clothes. Please can the children also come into school wearing their Forest School clothing rather than their uniform as it saves time and we get to have more fun at Forest School.