What is Forest School?
Forest School is a child-centred inspirational learning process which has roots in the Outdoor Life culture of Scandinavia and British traditions such as Scouting. It draws on the theories of educationalists such as Montessori and other advocates of child-led, holistic learning. By the 1950's outdoor learning was well established in Scandinavia, arriving in Britain in the 1990's.
There are Six Key Features that shape and govern the Forest School ethos. These are:
Forest School is a long-term process of regular sessions, rather than one-off or infrequent visits; the cycle of planning, observation, adaptation and review links each session.
Forest School takes place in a woodland or natural environment to support the development of a lifelong relationship between the learner and the natural world.
Forest School uses a range of learner-centred processes to create a community for being, development and learning.
Forest School aims to promote the holistic development of all involved; fostering resilient, confident, independent and creative learners.
Forest School offers learners the opportunity to take supported risks appropriate to the environment and to themselves.
Forest School is run by trained Forest School practitioners, who continuously maintain and develop their professional practice.
Benefits of Forest School
Forest School at Northlands Wood has a developmental ethos, that offers children regular opportunities to achieve and develop confidence together with self-esteem, through hands-on learning experiences onsite and in a local woodland environment.
We have created a safe, non-judgemental nurturing environment for children to try things out and take risks. This approach shows there are risks in everything we do, and that we grow by overcoming them.
It offers opportunities for learning across the curriculum, providing stimulating and challenging outdoor activities to develop essential skills and qualities such as resilience, team-work, confidence, risk management, independence and self-motivation.
Physical fitness and well-being are promoted, along with an appreciation and understanding of the natural world and a sense of place and belonging.
Testamonials
"Spending time outdoors is as important for children’s development as learning to read and write. Learning outside of the classroom engages and excites children in spectacular ways and is the key to improving children’s health, wellbeing and happiness. It is essential for children’s development.
When teachers take learning outdoors they report some powerful impacts: Children’s behaviour improves, whole classes are excited to learn, and individuals who feel inhibited by the curriculum often thrive in an outdoor environment.
When adults think back to their own happiest memories of childhood, they frequently recall the joy of playing outdoors. Play is not only central to children’s enjoyment of childhood, but teaches critical life skills such as problem-solving, teamwork and creativity. Individuals who feel inhibited by the curriculum often thrive in an outdoor environment."
For more information about the ethos of Forest School, please visit the website of the Forest School Association. The FSA are the professional body for Forest School in the UK, they promote best practice, cohesion and quality Forest School for all.