Forest School

Forest School

Our pupils are very lucky to engage in hands-on experiences in the natural environment in our much-loved Forest School, with 'Fox' our Forest School Leader, throughout their time at Old Mill. Forest School speaks directly to our core value of being ‘child centred’ and provides pupils with inspiring, creative experiences which improve confidence and a sense of well-being through activities involving problem solving, managing risk and life skills.

Forest School intent

At Old Mill Primary School, we believe all children should have the opportunity to experience exploration and play in a natural environment. Our Forest School aspires to provide stimulating and challenging hands-on learning experiences, which are child led and play based, supporting children to become curious, confident, creative, resilient and independent learners. We believe in the benefits that Forest School learning provides. Forest school sessions will provide opportunities for children to develop essential life and learning skills. Forest School will support children to develop knowledge, appreciation and respect for the natural environment around them. The experiences within Forest School are also intended to provide a relaxed learning environment that benefits both physical and mental health and well-being.

Implementation of Forest School

All our pupils will participate in Forest School sessions. Forest School will take place on our on-site woodland. Each class will have a block of five Forest School sessions per year. Forest School will take place in all weathers - with the exception of strong winds and stroms due to safety.  Sessions will be planned and delivered by our Qualified Level 3 Forest School Practitioner. Forest School sessions will be planned to involve a mixture of adult led and child led activities. Adult led tasks may involve the teaching and application of Forest School skills such as knots, shelter building, fire safety, fauna and flora identification and woodland crafts. Child led activities will support the holistic development of children and demonstrate the independent application of prior teaching and learning. Forest School sessions will encourage children to explore the world through their senses; connect with nature; build confidence in making choices and evaluating risks; work in collaboration with others; develop practical knowledge and skills; work with and experience natural materials; learn to use a range of tools and equipment; explore through practical problems and challenges; develop resilience; improve physical motor skills and contribute to maintaining and developing the Forest School site. The focus of Forest School activities will always be on the process rather than the end result or product. Repetition of activities and application of skills will be essential for metacognitive development. There will be opportunities for children to teach each other and to reflect on their learning experiences. Where possible, Forest School sessions will be adapted to ensure the specific needs of individual pupils are considered, enabling every child to fully participate and to succeed and thrive. Robust risk benefit assessments for activities will be completed by the lead Forest School Practitioner, identifying how taking considered risks contributes to each child’s personal, social, emotional, physical and cognitive development.  The Forest School Lead Practitioner will build reflection and review of activities into the beginning and end of sessions. Observations will be made to ensure that the Forest School Programme is adapted to support the development of interests and the progression of knowledge and skills through repetition, practise and application.

Special Educational Needs and Disability

A key principle, of Forest School, is child-led learning. Forest School allows children to direct and control their own play and learning. This enables them to challenge themselves at their own pace and in their own way, testing their abilities and discovering what they are capable of. This supports children with SEND to improve emotional regulation and develop resilience. The freedom of the woodland environment offers opportunities for exploratory play and learning, which is responsive to the interests and abilities of each child.  Forest School offers numerous practical hands-on learning and sensory experiences, which cater to the different learning styles of many children with SEND.

Impact of Forest School

The impact of Forest School is measured through observations of children’s learning experiences, conversations with the children about their learning and reflective evaluations of the sessions by the Forest School Lead Practitioner. Pupil and teacher evaluation will be conducted after each block of Forest School sessions across all year groups, to gain an insight into what is working well and what could increase the impact and effectiveness of sessions.                           

Our Forest School sessions provide curriculum enrichment, which contributes to enhancing the holistic development of children in the following ways:                                                               

• Spending time in nature and encouraging children to develop a connection with the natural world has a positive impact on physical and mental health and wellbeing. 
• Children develop environmental knowledge and awareness, through hands-on learning experiences and develop an understanding and respect for the natural world.  
• Children grow in confidence through engaging in new experiences, learning new skills and haing the time, space and freedom to explore.                                                                                                                                                                                         
• Engaging in achievable, stimulating and interesting activities and learning through play, supports children to feel success and enhances their motivation and concentration.
• Nature provides endless opportunities for children’s creativity and imagination.                                                                                                        
• Being outdoors increases children’s stamina and fitness and Forest School activities support children to improve their fine and gross motor skills.
• Children develop social and communication skills through sensory experiences, playing with and working with others, problem solving and sharing skills. This strengthens bonds and has a positive effect on self-esteem. 
• Children learn to assess and manage risk and have opportunities to test their own abilities in a safe environment.                                                                                                                                                     
• Children build resilience and independence through exploration, risk-taking and reflecting on their experiences and overcoming obstacles.