Forest School

During forest school we will be using the natural environment to provide a rich learning experience. Children can explore, experiment or follow whatever takes their interest with activities such as den building, bug hunting, cooking outside, mud sculptures, tree climbing, natural art, storytelling and much more. Some quotes regarding forest school education from Richard Louv who wrote a great book about nature being as important to children as food and sleep: “Nature inspires creativity in the child by demanding visualisation and full use of the senses” “When truly present in nature, we do use all our senses at the same time, which is the optimum state of learning.” “This principle holds that a reconnection to the natural world is fundamental to human health, well-being, spirit, and survival.” 

I will send reminders out by text so that you know when it is a forest school morning. If it is a forest school day and your child arrives at mine before 9am, everything will remain as normal. If your child arrives 9am please can you meet us at the entrance of the railway land near the Linklater Pavilion.  We will be in the railway land until 11.30am when (unless it is warm enough for a picnic) we will return to mine for lunch.

We will be going out, unless there are high winds (more than 25mph) or torrential rain forecast. During the second half of the summer term we will also be going to on other trips to Saunders Park swimming pool/the Level park fountains in Brighton, Ringmer Park and various walks.  We will stop before it gets too cold and then start again in the spring.

Please ensure that your child is appropriately dressed for the weather (especially as we won’t be coming home if it starts raining!) including

1. welly boots

2. Full waterproofs including waterproof trousers.

3. if it is summer and sunny please apply suntan cream in the morning and bring a sunhat and more suntan cream (labelled) for application during the day.

4. a change of clothes (or several if potty training).

If your child is over 2 these will be preferably in a small rucksack that they can carry themselves (with the wellys on their feet). 

If your child has nappies please remember to put in lots of spare nappies and baby wipes too. We will be bringing changing mats and nappy sacks down with us. I will be fully assessing any risks and benefits of forest school for the children to provide the best experience possible. Please let me know if you have any questions,

The Forest School approach to learning:

The forest school approach encompasses the following key criteria:

1.       Long term, repeated and regular sessions: so that children can continue their learning at their own pace, adding to what they have experienced on previous sessions.

2.       Natural outdoor space: so that children have access to real situations with real resources, children learn better if they actually experience/do things first hand, creating lifetime memories and skills. Children learn to respect the natural environment with first hand experience, gradually building up knowledge about the natural environment. The natural environment also allows the flexibility and freedom for child-initiated learning to take place, children are encouraged to develop their innate curiosity and motivation to learn. 

3.       Empowering children to take responsibility for their own learning and development and to take appropriate risks: “Part of the approach is to give children the time and space to make their own choices – and keep adult intervention to a minimum” (Reavey 2011). Strict safety routines and established boundaries within a low risk environment means that children can make more of their own choices about their tasks and learning. “Clear set of safety routines and boundaries that allows children to develop a responsible attitude to risk whilst becoming familiar and confident enough to explore and interact with an ever changing natural environment” (Murray and O’Brien, 2005). The Forest School

approach allows teachers to shape their teaching methods to suit each individual. (see more below). 4.       Facilitated by qualified Level 3 Forest School Practitioners with a high adult to pupil ratio “allows for children to undertake tasks and play activities that challenge them but do not put them at undue risk of harm. It also allows practitioners quickly to get to know the individual learning styles, abilities and characteristics of the children in their charge”. With child-minded children we have a 1-3 ratio of adult to child.

5.       Promotes holistic, individualised learning and development. (See more below)

6.       Encourages emotional growth, self esteem, confidence and independence. (see more below)

7.       Instils a deep respect and awareness for the natural world and reconnects participants to their environment.