Intent

Forest School is a unique method of outdoor learning. At Arboretum Primary School, our aim is to encourage and inspire children through positive outdoor experiences. Children will have the opportunity to learn about the natural environment, how to handle risks and most importantly to use their own initiative to solve problems and co-operate with others. The children use full-sized tools, play, learn boundaries of behaviour; both physical and social, establish and grow in confidence, self-esteem and become self-motivated.

Implementation

Forest school sessions happen weekly and whatever the weather. Forest school allows the children the opportunity to test and maintain their curiosity about the world around them as they explore using multiple senses. All activities are linked to the curriculum using holistic and participative practice. The learning and teaching strategies foster independence, develop language and communication skills and increase levels of physical activity and emotional wellbeing. During a forest school session, time is given to explore their thoughts, feelings and relationships whilst they are also encouraged to understand, appreciate and care for the natural environment. Opportunities are provided to take risks, make choices, find new ways of learning, problem solve, initiate learning, develop practical skills and become confident and capable learners by giving the children challenging but achievable tasks and the time to reflect on this. Skills are carefully introduced overtime with a high level of support from the forest school leaders. The children use many forms of expressive and creative media such as painting, drawing, knot work, clay and many more. Children are encouraged to solve problems for themselves and work collaboratively with their peers through activities such as

• den/shelter building

• using tools for a purpose

• fire building,

• cooking on a campfire

• creating natural transient art

• outdoor role play, storytelling

• imaginative games

• exploring flora and fauna

• learning about habitats

• Monitoring wildlife within the area.

We nurture a culture based on collaboration and of embracing challenge so that we can allow, over time, for the blossoming of character, resilience, and respect, and for a greater sense of connection with nature.

Impact

The success of forest school allows the children to:

• Grow in confidence as a result of the freedom, time and space they are given during their learning. This allows them to demonstrate independence.
• Develop team work, strengthen their bonds and social skills through activities such as sharing tools and participating in play as a group. 
• Increase their vocabulary. The sensory experiences provided by Forest School helps prompt language development.
• Improve their communication skills
• Build self-esteem.
• Have high levels of interest, which leads to high levels of attention.
• Develop physical stamina and improve gross and fine motor skills as well as mental health.  
• Inspires children to gain a love of the outdoors, which encourages them to want to visit local woodlands more frequently and participate in general outdoor activities as they get older.

An inspirational process that offers children, young people and adults regular opportunities to achieve, develop confidence and self-esteem through hands-on learning experiences in a local woodland environment