Forest Schools

What is Forest School?

Forest School is a system of learning in an outdoor classroom – usually a woodland – through a range of practical skills and achievable tasks which build confidence, self-esteem and independence. Weekly sessions with the same group of children take place over a 6 – 10 week period. Developed in Sweden in the 1950’s, Forest School is an intrinsic part of the education system in Denmark and is growing in popularity across the UK.

What do you do at Forest School?

Explore the natural world.
Use tools to make things.
Shelter building.
Fire lighting.
Campfire cooking.
Arts and crafts.
Storytelling.
Music making.
Learning through ‘risky’ play.

What our parents think of Forest Schools

What do you feel your child has learned/gained from their Forest School experience?

Confidence and Independence
He has learned to tie a knot! He talks about his experience a lot
After each session he has been so animated in talking about his activity, he has gained lots of skills and loved using tools
His confidence has rocketed and he plays better with others
Lots of opportunities to gain confidence through outside play/adventure
Come out of himself more, he has gained a lot
His confidence at home and at school has improved dramatically since he started Forest School
He has absolutely loved his experience and has always come home excited about what he has achieved

What has your child enjoyed about Forest School?

Enjoyed zipwire and everything
He enjoyed doing the gutters and mud kitchen
Everything, he loves being outside and enjoyed learning new skills
Mud kitchen, food/drinks, fire, sawing
Most of it but mostly getting wet and being allowed to do it
Sawing and drilling necklaces
Toasting on the fire
He has enjoyed all of it. He has spoken in great detail about each week, about all of the activities
He has thoroughly enjoyed himself, building fires and being outdoors
Making food on the fire
Making fires, being outdoors and learning
Every bit of it regardless of weather. He didn’t want it to end; a great opportunity that I would love for him to repeat

Please comment on any differences in your child’s confidence or approach to learning that you have noticed during the Forest School project:

Seems more confident
He is more willing to do things on his own
He had lost his confidence completely when he started year one and Forest School has brought it back. He’s so much happier again.
Confidence in playing with other children and independent play
Come out of himself more and will try new things
He talks to people that he hasn’t met, interacts much better with everyone. Stood in front of the whole school yesterday and spoke lines.
He is willing to work together and help out more and he is listening and concentrating much more.
Trying new and different things without thinking too hard
He has gained better listening skills and enjoyed expressing his creativity. Building different friendship circles.

What would you say to the parents of next years Year 1/2 children if they asked for your views about this year’s project?

Really good experience for children, helps with their learning and will enjoy it
They will love it!
To definitely do it – He has loved every minute
Excellent opportunities for outside play and adventure in safe, structured environment
It was good and my son enjoyed it very much
Do it!
It’s 100% worth your child taking part, I couldn’t recommend it any more
May it continue and give others the chance to have an amazing experience
Definitely take your child, you will discover a new child
It is worth the effort to take/pick up on a Thursday
Best thing for your children to do – they will love it