Forest School and Nature Garden
Forest School offers children the opportunity to develop an inquisitive and positive relationship with the natural world as well as instilling a love of the great outdoors.
We have our own Nature Garden onsite with a variety of habitats including two ponds, and access to public and private woodlands as well as nearby streams to bring learning to life. The children learn to use real tools and natural resources, explore natural habitats and grow food, which builds an understanding of the balance of nature and the finite resources within it.
Weekly Forest School sessions are run all year round by our qualified Forest School Leader. Forest School is now offered to ALL children, including KS2. Early Years and KS1 enjoy Forest School every week. KS2 children have block sessions.
Children engage in motivating and achievable tasks and activities, at different times of the year and in almost all weathers! They work with tools, play, learn boundaries of behaviour; both physical and social, grow in confidence, self-esteem and motivation whilst developing an understanding of the natural world. Working through practical problems and challenges helps children build confidence in decision-making and evaluating risk, whether this be designing a den, lighting a fire or making blackberry jam! Forest School is all about developing children’s characteristics of effective learning which are so vital for future success.
What are the Characteristics of Effective Learning?
The ‘Characteristics of Effective Learning’ are ways in which the child engages with other people and their environment. These underpin all areas of a child’s learning and development.
Playing and Exploring (Engagement) | Active Learning (Motivation) | Creating and Thinking Critically (Thinking) |
Finding out and exploring
Playing with what they know
Being willing to 'have a go'
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Being involved and concentrating
Keeping on trying
Enjoying achieving what they set out to do
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Having their own ideas
Making Links
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