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Forest School at Leigh Academy Milestone
Forest School has been proven to support the holistic development of children through child-led learning in an outdoor environment. Forest School at Leigh Academy Milestone aims to support emotional, social and physical development of students through providing opportunities to take supported risks, work and play in social groups and explore nature through child-initiated activities. The use of tools and natural resources encourages creativity and imaginative skills. Forest school at Leigh Academy Milestone promotes independence, problem solving skills and communication skills, which in turn boosts confidence and self-esteem. Forest School encourages principled learners, who care about the environment and are aware of the changing world around them. Being in nature has been proven to have a positive impact on mental health and Forest School provides students with time outdoors, away from technology and the structured and directed classroom environment. Transdisciplinary learning will be brought from the classroom into Forest School making cross-curricular links to the IB topics students will be studying each term.
As part of our Outdoor Learning curriculum, students will attend Forest School sessions led by a trained Forest School leader, the class teacher and the class teams. Students will have the freedom to guide their own learning, with activities such as exploring the woodland environment, building dens, finding minibeasts, climbing trees and erecting temporary shelters. Where appropriate, students shall be taught to use hand tools to create woodland crafts, building on skills they have learnt with each session. A key part of the Forest School experience is a campfire and completing campfire cooking, following safety procedures with adult supervision. Students will be supported in cooking a range of foods using different techniques.
Forest School is held in a secure area within the grounds of Leigh Academy Milestone main site in New Ash Green. It shall be held whatever the weather so students should be dressed appropriately. We recommend students wear layers, with a waterproof coat and wellington boots for cold weather and removable layers, boots and sun protection in warm weather.
The Principles of Forest School
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. Planning, adaptation, observations and reviewing are integral elements of Forest School.
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.
5. Forest School is run by qualified Forest School practitioners who continuously maintain and develop their professional practice.
6. Forest School uses a range of learner-centred processes to create a community for development and learning.
Modules 4, 5 & 6
Learning Objective: I can mark make using different media.
Learning Objectives: I can climb a tree, thinking carefully about my actions in order to keep myself safe.
Learning Objective: I can choose a book and share it with an adult.
Learning Objective: I can use a microscope to observe the minibeasts I find.
Learning Objective: I can cook over a campfire, using the 'respect' position.
Learning Objective: I can explore textures of natural resources through art.
Learning Objective: I can mark make using different mediums.
Learning Objective: I can explore cause and effect when working with water.
OCbuildingx.MOV.mp4Learning Objective: I can use my fine motor skills to build a tower.
Learning Objective: I can build a den using resources I have found.
Learning Objective: I can listen to a story that is read to me.
Learning Objective: I can explore the textures and smells of herbs which are grown in my school grounds.
cx.MOVLearning Objective: I can explore sounds in a new environment.
Learning Objective: I can build a pretend fire, following a process I have observed.
Learning Objective: I can create and share a story with an audience.
Learning Objective: I can explore textures of natural materials during role play.
Learning Objective: I can explore natural materials to create patterns.
ebv.MOVLearning Objective: I can explore textures of natural materials during role play.
Learning Objective: I can attach items to a weaving frame.
Learning Objective: I can attach items to a weaving frame.
Learning Objective: I can use my communication skills during imaginative play.
Learning Objective: I can find use a shelter or tent.
Learning Objective: I can follow instructions and use different art media, to celebrate World Bee Day.
Learning Objective: I can follow instructions and use different art media, to celebrate World Bee Day.
Learning Objective: I can use natural resources to create games which use my gross motor skills.
Learning Objective: I can create artwork from natural materials (charcoal).
Learning Objective: I can explore water and its properties
Learning Objective: I can explore the Forest School area with adult support, choosing activities I wish to engage in.
Learning Objective: I can hunt for, identify and discuss minibeasts.
Learning Objective: I can hunt for, identify and discuss minibeasts.
Learning Objective: I can hunt for, identify and discuss minibeasts.
IMG_9347.MOVLearning objective: I can lead a group in play, giving instructions.
Learning Objective: I can explore 'sinking' and 'floating'.
Learning objective: I can share a space with a peer in a different environment.
Learning Objective: I can take turns and follow instructions when playing a shared game.
Learning Objective: I can take turns and follow instructions when playing a shared game.
Learning Objective: I can take turns and follow instructions when playing a shared game.
Learning Objective: I can follow instructions to create a piece of art.
Learning Objective: I can follow instructions to create a piece of art.
Learning Objective: I can participate in den building activities with a small group of peers.
Learning Objective: I can use a magnifying glass to look at items in nature in more detail.
Learning Objective: I can explore mass with balance scales.
Learning Objective: I can explore mass with balance scales.
Learning Objective: I can explore cause and effect, changing my actions to achieve different outcomes.
Learning Objective: I can explore cause and effect, changing my actions to achieve different outcomes.
Learning Objective: I can use a saw with support.
Science Week. Learning Objective: I can observe mini-beasts with support.
Science Week. Learning Objective: I can find and observe mini-beasts and discuss their features.
Learning Objective: I can use natural resources to create a freestanding structure with support.
World Book Day. Learning Objective: I can take part in a treasure hunt in Forest School.
World Book Day. Learning Objective: I can suggest craft ideas, using natural resources.
Learning Objective: I can use a mallet with support.
Learning objective: I can explore different textures and materials.
Learning Objective: I can show preference for Forest School activities.
Learning Objective: I can sit appropriately around a campfire and try new foods.
Modules 2 & 3
Module 3
Students in Phase 2 have been wrapped up warm and enjoying a wide variety of wintery weather this module. We have had rain, wind, snow and hailstones, as well as some sunny days too! Students have been building on their communication and social skills through shared experiences and activities, including campfires, team den building and group games. We have also benefited from a donation of a larger mud kitchen, which has provided lots of opportunities for fine motor skills, turn taking and imaginative exploration.
Learning objective: I can order numerals 1 to 10, in different contexts.
Learning objective: I can begin to explore length and measure in different contexts.
Learning objective: I can experience and understand cause and effect.
Learning objective: I can communicate my preferences during a shared experience.
Learning objective: I can communicate with peers and staff during a chosen activity.
Learning objective: I can communicate my ideas and feelings when playing group games.
Learning Objective: I can mark-make using different media.
Learning Objective: I can explore balance using natural resources.
Learning Objective: I can make requests for a preferred food or drink.
Learning Objective: I can begin to use a mallet with support.
Learning Objective: I can use a hammer for crafts.
Learning Objective: I can participate in den building as part of a small group.
Learning Objective: I can search for and explore mini-beasts.
Learning Objective: I can explore natural phenomena, wearing appropriate clothing for the weather.
Learning Objective: I can share a story with an adult in different environments.
Module 2
LO: I can engage in stories for pleasure.
Pupils have been sharing their love of reading, in different locations; enjoying stories during Forest School.
LO: I can choose natural resources to express myself creatively.
Students in Phase 2 have been expressing themselves through art and culture, creating decorations.
LO: I can take risks whilst following rules in a new environment.
Students have been fantastic open-minded risk-takers this week, climbing trees, using tools and learning about fire safety.
LO: I can explore a new environment using all of my senses.
Phase 2 students have explored sights, sounds, smells and textures in the Forest School area, with herbs in the sensory tray, musical items in the woodland and lots of mud!
LO: I can explore natural phenomena.
The cold weather has brought ice to Forest School this week. Students have enjoyed exploring its feel and texture, breaking it to explore how fragile it is, melting it and even investigating what it tastes like!
LO: I can explore different resources in a new environment.
Phase 2 are celebrating Nursery Rhyme Week with a teddy bears' picnic! Lots of furry friends have joined the woodland this week, with music, sensory trays and play picnic food too! Students are showing they are caring, curious communicators.
LO: I can choose new materials to create artwork.
To mark Bonfire Night, students made bonfire pictures using sticks and beautiful autumnal leaves. They were reflective and curious learners.
LO: I can communicate with my peers, sharing resources.
During Forest School sessions, students have been building on their social skills, showing that they are open-minded, principled communicators.
Can you help?
During Forest School, students have the opportunity to express their creativity and use problem solving skills in a range of different activities, using lots of different resources. We would gratefully receive any donations of the following items for use within our Forest School and outdoor learning areas:
Tree stumps
Long branches (4 to 8 cm in diameter)
Clean guttering
Tinder and kindling
Cotton sheets, table cloths or pillow cases (torn, ripped or holey, we don’t mind!)
Gardening forks or trowels
Metal pots, saucepans, baking trays, muffin tins etc
Wool or string
Forest School at Leigh Academy Milestone
Forest School has been proven to support the holistic development of children through child-led learning in an outdoor environment. Forest School at Leigh Academy Milestone aims to support emotional, social and physical development of students through providing opportunities to take supported risks, work and play in social groups and explore nature through child-initiated activities. The use of tools and natural resources encourages creativity and imaginative skills. Forest school at Leigh Academy Milestone promotes independence, problem solving skills and communication skills, which in turn boosts confidence and self-esteem. Forest School encourages principled learners, who care about the environment and are aware of the changing world around them. Being in nature has been proven to have a positive impact on mental health and Forest School provides students with time outdoors, away from technology and the structured and directed classroom environment. Transdisciplinary learning will be brought from the classroom into Forest School making cross-curricular links to the IB topics students will be studying each term.
As part of our Outdoor Learning curriculum, students will attend Forest School sessions led by a trained Forest School leader, the class teacher and the class teams. Students will have the freedom to guide their own learning, with activities such as exploring the woodland environment, building dens, finding minibeasts, climbing trees and erecting temporary shelters. Where appropriate, students shall be taught to use hand tools to create woodland crafts, building on skills they have learnt with each session. A key part of the Forest School experience is a campfire and completing campfire cooking, following safety procedures with adult supervision. Students will be supported in cooking a range of foods using different techniques.
Forest School is held in a secure area within the grounds of Leigh Academy Milestone main site in New Ash Green. It shall be held whatever the weather so students should be dressed appropriately. We recommend students wear layers, with a waterproof coat and wellington boots for cold weather and removable layers, boots and sun protection in warm weather.
The Nineveh Charitable Trust
The Nineveh Charitable Trust has generously granted Milestone £1500 to go towards resources to improve our outside spaces and learning opportunities. We were able to purchase a wide selection of wellington boots and waterproof clothing for the wet weather, a portable sink to ensure hygiene procedures can be followed outdoors, weather and emotion identification boards and a wide range of learning resources. We are very grateful for this kind donation and are excited to use them to support out students' outdoor learning.
The Nineveh Charitable Trust RCN 256025 www.ninevehtrust.org.uk
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