Forest School and Outdoor Learning Provision
Forest School
Our Forest School area is a much-loved part of our school environment, and an important part of our curriculum delivery, in order to develop our children’s ‘Life Skills’ (in line with our school values). Working in collaboration with our Forest School Teacher and our wider staff team, children regularly access this provision both within lessons and at break and lunchtimes. Where possible, purposeful links to the curriculum are made and Forest School is used to enrich curriculum delivery, for example, to provide opportunities for geographical fieldwork and within science to study plants and animals in our local environment.
Forest School sessions have significant benefits for high quality outdoor learning experiences. They are proven to:
- develop reflective and inquisitive thinking as well as problem solving approaches
- encourage holistic development
- develop resilience and adaptability
- allow children to identify hazards and risks
- develop love, appreciation and respect for nature and a greater understanding of how we can look after our environment
- develop self-awareness, confidence and self-esteem
- develop collaborative working and communication skills
- promote positive health, both physical and mental
- assist with gross and fine motor skill development
- develop a lifelong love of the outdoors
