Forest School within the UK has been in development since the 1990’s based on the Scandinavian lifestyle. In 1993, colleagues from the Early Years Department at Bridgewater College travelled to visit nurseries in Denmark to see how they care for and support young children in their early years of development. In Denmark, educators have been working with children in outside environments since the 1900’s, they call this ‘Kindergarten’. The colleagues from Bridgewater witnessed children appropriately dressed in snowy cold weather, enjoying and engaging the outside environment. They returned to the UK inspired. Since this visit, the forest school ethos has been created and continues to grow and develop.

Forest School aims to provide children with high quality and regular access to outdoor learning with the intent to enrich the curriculum wherever possible, using a holistic mindset. 

Our Forest School site is at the rear of the school site. This piece of land is situated behind the school buildings and is a short walk from the school grounds. The land was gifted to Harrietsham Church of England Primary School many years ago by the local authority, with the aim to allow children to experience more outdoor learning and to explore nature. Until now, this area has been used on an ADHOC basis for short outdoor activities and tasks.

Forest School follows six key principles to support each child to make the most of their Forest School experience:

1. Forest School is not a one-off and is conducted over a long period of time and covers at least two seasons.
2. Forest School takes place in a natural outdoor environment, such as woodland.
3. Forest School is learner centered, allowing for development and learning.
4. Forest School promotes resilience, confidence, independence and creativity through holistic learning.
5. Learners have the opportunity to take risks with support and encouragement to manage themselves and their environment.
6. Forest School is run by qualified staff who partake in continuous professional development.

Research demonstrates that Forest School benefits children in many ways, including improving their physical health and well-being, improving self-esteem and reducing anxiety. Children are active during sessions and use gross motor skills to improve their health and mobility. Children learn new practical skills and how to work as a team.

Fresh air and physical activities also provide significant benefits to confidence, social development, communication, motivation and concentration.

Our Forest School ethos encourages children to have uninterrupted time to play, explore and be ‘in the moment’.  For example, if a child chooses to sit quietly under a tree, then we allow them to do so for a reasonable period of time before intervening to encourage engagement in other activities.  This intervention is undertaken by the Forest School Leader and not volunteers or parent helpers.

Forest School aims to be inspiring, allowing for more child-centered learning where curiosity, creativity and imagination can flourish, to promote emotional, social and physical development. By building on social and emotional development, each child can improve their own wellbeing.

The Forest School Leader,  plans, observes, assesses and reviews sessions for our children. Sessions are planned appropriately to the children’s ability, year group and curriculum. 

School adults and volunteers are supported by the Forest School lead to encourage and nurture children with their learning as they explore their natural environment. Adults are a positive role model when allowing the children time to have uninterrupted learning. Adults identify success and give positive feedback appropriately.

Our Forest School sessions encourage:

• Resilience
• Physical development – enhancement of gross and fine motor skills
• Confidence building
• Team building
• Cooperation
• Imagination
• Self-regulation
• Initiative
• Responsibility
• Respect and care for others and our environment
• Taking risks
• Managing our own risks (with adult support)
• Freedom to learn in nature
• Child centered learning
• Curiosity
• Social development
• Creativity
• Problem-solving
• Fun

At Forest School, we have lots of fun, but, we also learn lots of important skills too...

• Metacognitive Development & Child-led Enquiry - Adventurous Play / Exploration Skills
• Confidence & Self-esteem
• Teamwork and Problem-Solving
• Risk Management – Boundaries, Risk Taking, Safety
• Tool Use – Using Tools & Equipment safely
• Shelter Building and Knots
• Fire Craft and Fire Safety
• Environmental Awareness, Science and Nature knowledge – Connection with Nature
• Creative Projects – Art and Design Skills
• Cooking
• Physical Development / Healthy Lifestyles
• Planting and Growing
• Global Citizenship / Understanding of the World