Forest Schools

Forest Schools originated in Scandanavia in the early 20th century as a as a way of teaching children about the natural world.  Children spend regular, planned time in a natural environment, discovering and learning at their own pace.  They build confidence and social skills as well as developing the ability to assess safety and manage risks.  Activities cover many areas of the curriculum, and above all, it's healthy and enjoyable!

 

 

An Introduction to Longford Primary Academy Outdoor Learning & Forest School

Longford Primary Academy Forest School was established in 2022. The Forest School idea grew from the staff’s desire to provide outdoor learning at Longford.

It utilises the woodland area situated within the school grounds and nature garden area which, until the introduction of Forest School, was underused.

The Aim of Forest Schools and Outdoor Learning at Longford Primary Academy, is for children to develop a lifelong love and understanding of the natural environment, whilst embodying the Forest School ethos; namely developing self-esteem, confidence, resilience, independence and emotional literacy.

This aim will be achieved through the following objectives:

• Forest School sessions delivered regularly, through all seasons.
• Outdoor learning / Environmental education lessons delivered as curriculum support to (all age groups)
• Outdoor play work delivered during play schemes/after school club.
• Sustainable management of the woodland & outdoor area.
•  Appropriate risk (physical & emotional) will be allowed for all participants, with Risk Benefit assessments underpinning this approach.

At Longford, we usually deliver our Forest School in the woodland situated within the school grounds and the nature garden. This has been sustainably managed and made suitable for Forest School activities by ………. We would like to express thanks to these people for their hard work.  The woodland environment allows children to experience an outdoor setting which is something new or unfamiliar for many of them.

Principles and criteria for good practice

The Forest School ethos has six principles, which were agreed by the UK Forest School community in 2011.

Principle 1:

Forest School is a long-term process of frequent and regular sessions in a woodland or natural environment, rather than a one-off visit. Planning, adaptation, observations and reviewing are integral elements of Forest School.

• Forest School takes place regularly, ideally at least every other week, with the same group of learners, over an extended period of time, if practicable encompassing the seasons.
• A Forest School programme has a structure which is based on the observations and collaborative work between learners and practitioners. This structure should clearly demonstrate progression of learning.
• The initial sessions of any programme establish physical and behavioural boundaries as well as making initial observations on which to base future programme development.

Principle 2:

Forest School takes place in a woodland or natural wooded environment to support the development of a relationship between the learner and the natural world.

• Whilst woodland is the ideal environment for Forest School, many other sites, some with only a few trees, are able to support good Forest School practice.
• The woodland is ideally suited to match the needs of the programme and the learners, providing them with the space and environment in which to explore and discover.
• A Forest School programme constantly monitors its ecological impact and works within a sustainable site management plan agreed between the landowner/ manager, the forest school practitioner and the learners.
• Forest School aims to foster a relationship with nature through regular personal experiences in order to develop long-term, environmentally sustainable attitudes and practices in staff, learners and the wider community.
• Forest School uses natural resources for inspiration, to enable ideas and to encourage intrinsic motivation.

Principle 3:

Forest School aims to promote the holistic development of all those involved, fostering resilient, confident, independent and creative learners.

• Where appropriate, the Forest School leader will aim to link experiences at Forest School to home, work and/or school education
• Forest School programmes aim to develop, where appropriate, the physical, social, cognitive, linguistic, emotional, social and spiritual aspects of the learner.

Principle 4:

Forest School offers learners the opportunity to take supported risks appropriate to the environment and to themselves.

• Forest School opportunities are designed to build on an individual’s innate motivation, positive attitudes and/or interests.
• Forest School uses tools and fires only where deemed appropriate to the learners, and dependent on completion of a baseline risk assessment.
• Any Forest School experience follows a Risk–Benefit process managed jointly by the practitioner and learner that is tailored to the developmental stage of the learner.

Principle 5:

Forest School is run by qualified Forest School practitioners who continuously maintain and develop their professional practice.

• Forest School is led by qualified Forest School practitioners, who are required to hold a minimum of an accredited Level 3 Forest School qualification.
• There is a high ratio of practitioner/adults to learners.
• Practitioners and adults regularly helping at Forest School are subject to relevant checks into their suitability to have prolonged contact with children, young people and vulnerable people.
• Practitioners need to hold an up-to-date first aid qualification, which includes paediatric (if appropriate) and outdoor elements.
• Forest School is backed by relevant working documents, which contain all the policies and procedures required for running Forest School and which establish the roles and responsibilities of staff and volunteers.
• The Forest School leader is a reflective practitioner and sees themselves, therefore, as a learner too.

Principle 6:

Forest School uses a range of learner-centred processes to create a community for development and learning

• A learner-centred pedagogical approach is employed by Forest School that is responsive to the needs and interests of learners.
• The practitioner models the pedagogy, which they promote during their programmes through careful planning, appropriate dialogue and relationship building.
• Play and choice are an integral part of the Forest School learning process, and play is recognised as vital to learning and development at Forest School.
• Forest School provides a stimulus for all learning preferences and dispositions.
• Reflective practice is a feature of each session to ensure learners and practitioners can understand their achievements, develop emotional intelligence and plan for the future.
• Practitioner observation is an important element of Forest School pedagogy. Observations feed into ‘scaffolding’ and tailoring experiences to learning and development at Forest School.

Forest School / Outdoor Learning staff.

Level 3 Leader – Melanie Byron

Forest School Assistant – Kylie Ellison