Forest School

The Study School Forest School

At The Study School we believe that Forest School forms a very important part of a child’s holistic development. We aim to give all children, practitioners and teaching staff a shared understanding of the ethos of Forest School, enabling all children to engage in valuable learning experiences in the natural environment at Green Lane Park Wood. We give all pupils the chance to explore and experience the natural world through practical activities using the outdoors to promote confidence, independence, risk-taking and self-esteem. We aim to promote positive relationships through cooperation with others, we want our children to be independent, self-motivated, courageous, considerate and respectful and set them up for lifelong learning.

“Forest School is an inspirational process that offers ALL learners regular opportunities to achieve and develop confidence and self-esteem through hands-on learning experiences in a woodland or natural environment with trees. Forest School is a specialised learning approach that sits within and compliments the wider context of outdoor and woodland education.” (Forest School Association)

The guiding principles of Forest School aim to:

  • Support the development of a relationship between the learner and the natural world.
  • Promote the holistic development of all those involved, fostering resilient, confident, independent and creative learners.
  • Offer learners the opportunity to take supported risks appropriate to the environment and to themselves.
  • Showcase learner-centred processes to create a community for development and learning.

Nursery and Reception will have a weekly session in the woodland. Children in Year 1 – Year 6 will attend Forest School at least once each half term. Children are gradually introduced to using tools such as bill hooks, knives and bow saws. They use these tools with adult supervision to create a range of things such as Christmas decorations, bug hotels, bird feeders. An important part of each session is snack time when the children sit around the camp circle discussing what they have been doing!  It makes fascinating listening.

The Study School
Upcoming Open Morning

Our next Open Morning is taking place on Wednesday 24th April from 9-10:30am! Book to join us here.