Forest Schools

Forest School is a holistic educational process - a way of developing and teaching someone in a non-classroom environment. It doesn't need a forest and the leaders do not teach in the traditional sense.

 

The Forest School Ethos

· Children participate in small achievable tasks, which boost confidence and lead to larger goals and outcome

· Physical skills are developed and new opportunities introduced using the natural resources found at the setting

· Children learn about the effects they can have on the environment and how to lessen their impact

· The development of self esteem, behaviour modification and a sense of group cohesion

· Have fun outdoors, giving a positive relationship to learning and meeting new people

 

What happens at Forest School?

A programme of sessions are attended over half a term, some programmes may be longer. Each session may have a theme but are flexible enough to allow for child led learning. The programme may start off as quite structured but becomes less so as the children become more independent.

Activities can be curriculum linked to most subjects.

Numbers are restricted to 12 children so that each child gets the attention they need, and practitioners make sure that all learning styles and schemas are catered for.

Staff work with children on an individual, small group or whole group level. This ensures a nurturing environment where participants can learn at their own pace, as a result their skills and confidence accumulate over time.

We go out in all weathers, making sure that all children are suitably dressed and that conditions are safe.

Participants are also encouraged to take care of themselves and their peers, and are given responsibility, such as supervised use of tools and fire lighting. This gives a sense of ownership over their achievements and their impact on the Forest School environment.  All activities are thoroughly risk assessed, staff encourage safe risk taking.

 

Benefits for your children

· Increased confidence and self esteem

· Heightened self awareness and behaviour modification

· Group cohesion and a sense of community

· Understanding risk and how to stay safe

· Understanding own and others needs, developing empathy

· Knowledge of the natural environment

· Understanding of healthy choices

· Lots of new skills

· Loads of fun!

 

 

How to get these amazing outcomes:

- We can run a Forest School in your setting

We have recently finished running a two-year FEI Forest School programme in Tamworth, a programme with a primary school in Burton and with a grammar school in Sutton Coldfield and are looking to extend into other areas in the county. Our Forest School leaders work with a range of ages and can help you to achieve targets for your children.

Our qualified and experienced Forest School Leader can work with a group in your setting, either independently or alongside existing teaching staff.

FS session (half day)  £175 (1 leader) or £275 (2 leaders)

If a block of six or more sessions is booked then costs will be £150 (1 leader) and £250 (2 leaders).

Taster Days                         £250

 

- Train your Own Staff to become Forest School Leaders and Assistants

Our training team have years of Forest School experience and are OCN approved Forest School trainers, qualified in both the area in which they teach and in teaching and assessing adult learners. Please visit our Forest School Training page, download our leaflets or contact us if you are interested in finding out more; email Shelley Arnold or call her on 07971 046820.

Forest School programmes are well suited to deliver curriculum targets, and most programmes can be tailored to offer a broad range. However, the focus of Forest School is to develop the person.  Small groups are used (ideally 12, no more than 16) and the trained leaders plan every session to develop the participants’ physical skills, self-esteem and social skills, through the use of curriculum or activity based sessions.  Forest school programmes suit all ages and have been well documented as improving academic performance as a by-product of the improvement of self-esteem, confidence and social skills and the transference of these skills to all other areas of life.

 

Staffordshire Wildlife Trust is also a member of the Staffordshire FEI Forest School Cluster Group.  For more information about Forest School and the Cluster Group log-on to: www.staffordshireforestschools.org or www.foresteducation.org

 

What teachers & parents have to say about Staffordshire Wildlife Trust Forest School Programmes

Children were visibly different back at school following their sessions, and as the weeks progressed it was evident that the experience was having a lasting positive effect on them. …. One boy, with poor attendance prior to attending Forest School, is now in school every day, this is a direct impact of attending Forest School. (Head teacher)

The pupil has made some steps of progress in class, participates well in groups if supported by an adult. He has become more responsive to adult instruction. (Yr 6 Teacher)

My child has enjoyed taking part in Forest Schools. It has given them an extra incentive to come to school and has returned home telling me what they have been doing such as building fires. (Parent)

The pupil has made great improvements in general behaviour and attitude and now able to work in groups and with others. (Y4/5 Teacher)

All pupils have appeared more confident and less self-conscious, with a significant improvement in one case. The pupils also seem more relaxed when talking to adults and older children (Yr 3 / 4 Teacher)

Forest Schools has got my children to open up more and enjoy being around new people. They liked the activities and found it a good experience overall. (Parent)

Please email Shelley Arnold or call her on 07971 046820 for more information.