What is a Forest School?
At St Mary’s Catholic Primary School, all children from Nursery through to Year 6, have the opportunity to participate in Forest School, a unique and enriching outdoor education experience. Forest School promotes holistic development, encouraging physical, emotional, and social growth by engaging children in hands-on learning within a natural environment. It fosters a deep connection to nature, enhances problem-solving skills, and builds resilience, confidence, and teamwork. Forest School supports mental wellbeing, creativity, and curiosity by allowing children to explore and interact with the outdoors, providing an important balance to classroom-based learning.
- Improved confidence and self-esteem
- Physical skills
- Communication and personal skills
- Positive attitudes towards learning
- Developing a love for nature
- The ability to recognise and manage risk
- Learning new skills
Inclusivity
Forest Schools provide play-based learning opportunities for all children in a woodland environment.
They tailor an educational curriculum to a participant’s preferred learning style and are holistic in approach.
Forest Schools engage children: Children of all ages and all abilities find special things to do in the woods. They find that each of them can succeed at something, and they learn new ways of co-operating and communicating. Forest School leaders are finding that this experience is making a big difference to the lives of children with low self-esteem and lack of confidence. Children with particular needs and children who find indoor schooling hard to take can develop new ways of coping through working in the woods.
Who is responsible for running the Forest School?
Mrs Harris and Mrs Smith are our qualified Forest School Leaders. They are responsible for the safe running of the Forest School and model best practice. They also hold a current Forest School First Aid qualification. They will carry out ongoing risk assessments and will follow a pre-established Emergency Action Plan if necessary.
Will my child be using tools and cooking around a campfire?
The safe use of tools and fire is an integral part of the Forest School experience. Children will always be closely supervised and will always be taught correct methods and how to keep safe.
Will sessions go ahead in bad weather?
Sessions take place in all weathers and seasons, Children will have new experiences over the course of the year. They will always be informed of what they need to bring in advance.
