Forest School

“A Forest School is an innovative educational approach to outdoor play and learning.”

Forest Schools have demonstrated success with children of all ages who visit familiar local woodlands on a regular basis. Through play, children have the opportunity to learn about the natural environment, begin to understand how to handle risk and most importantly realise how to use their own initiative to solve problems and co-operate with others. Nationwide, Forest School programmes run throughout the year exploring woods in all weathers (except for high winds). Children have the opportunity to use full sized tools and learn both physical and social boundaries of behaviour. As confidence and self-esteem establishes and grows children become self-motivated to play and learn.

Honywood Preschool Forest School takes place at Marks Hall Arboretum and Gardens which is situated just outside of Coggeshall on the Earls Colne Road.

We normally run Forest School in the spring, April/May/June for 6 weeks on Senior Group afternoons. We have a trained Level 3 Forest School leader, Jo Cornell, and by Spring 2019 Angela Herod will also have completed the Level 3 training, and so will also be able to run Forest School sessions.

Honywood Preschool has been running Forest School sessions for over 10 years, and our staff have lots of experience and knowledge of what makes a great Forest School.

Forest School is one of our most popular activities, and we receive lots of positive feedback from parents of children who have attended our Forest School sessions.

Before Forest School commences, we will hold a ‘Parents Evening’ to give parents all the information they need.

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