Forest School

We have a wonderful outside area which the children are given access to on a daily basis throughout the year. We are very fortunate to have a qualified forest school leader who delivers forest school to our Acorns and Preschool children every week.

The children are given the opportunity to explore and investigate the outside area. The children are given the opportunity to build, climb, dig, collect, paddle and splash when the opportunity arises. The Forest School experience is one that is spontaneous as the weather can present such wonderful challenges for the children. The need for waterproofs is a must in any weather as we will often come across an opportunity for getting muddy!!!

Forest school

The benefits of forest school are:

• it gives children ownership of what they learn and opportunities to experience success.
• It encourages curiosity and independent thinking, allowing children to explore and take risks in a safe environment.
• It gives teachers and adults opportunities to observe and become more aware of children’s interests in an outdoor environment.
• It provides children with opportunities to appreciate the natural world around them and learn to care and respect their environment.
• It encourages children to grow in confidence, form relationships with adults and peers and work cooperatively with others.
• It develops physical skills, both moving with control and co-ordination and handling small tools.

Each week your child will be given the opportunity in a safe environment to use different tools, learn how to knot ropes, build shelters, and cook on an open fire. This is an exciting opportunity for each child to take part. Each activity carried out by your child will be done using the correct ratio of staff to children to enable them to keep safe, take risks in a safe environment and make the most of their time.