The Nethersole
CofE Academy and Nursery
Inspire, Enjoy and Achieve, in the love of Jesus Christ
Forest School
What is Forest School?
Originating in Scandinavia, Forest School is a method which uses the natural environment to promote participants social, emotional and physical development. Forest School offers children a fun, practical way to learn in a woodland environment. Through regular sessions in the same area of woodland with a Forest School Leader children can develop:
- personal confidence, self-esteem, independence, communication and social skills
- their natural motivation, concentration and a positive attitude to learning
- their creativity and imagination
- the ability to recognise and manage risk
- a wider range of physical skills than those developed indoors
- a greater understanding, awareness and appreciation of the natural environment
Where is Forest School?
Forest School takes place within our school grounds; we have an excellent woodland/pond area which we are continually developing to enrich the children’s experiences whilst learning outside.
What happens at a Forest School session?
A Forest School session lasts around two hours. The session starts in base camp where safety rules are discussed and a starter activity usually encourages the children to explore the site and boundaries. Structured activities are planned for Forest School but each session is unique as unstructured play is encouraged so that sessions can be guided by events and the children’s interests. The session always ends with a time to reflect and celebrate.
Examples of structured Forest School activities are listed below:
Shelter/den building
Tying a range of knots
Learning to use a range of tools e.g. bow saws, knives, loppers, hand drills, gimlet, bill hook and mallet
Fire lighting/Campfire Cooking
Natural artwork/crafts
Growing plants, fruit and vegetables
Pond dipping
Mini beast/Wildlife identification activities
Bird watching/animal tracking
What does my child need to wear?
“There is no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothing”
Forest school will be able to go ahead in almost all weathers so long as your child is suitably dressed.
Please ensure that your child wears:
Long sleeved top
Full length trousers
Wellies /walking boots
Waterproof coat/trousers when wet
Additional layer, warm socks, hat and gloves if cold
Sun hat/sun cream when warm
Reception 2020/2021
Year 1/2 Forest School Block 2020/2021
Year 3/4 Forest School Block 2020/2021
'Forest School for Grown Ups' February 2020
Hawthorn - January 20 /February 2020
Elderberry December 19 /January 2020
Hazel Forest School November 2019
Alder October 2019 Stone Age
Year 2 Pine Class June 2018
Birch Class Year 1/2 May 2018
Maple Class Year 1 April 2018
Year 3/4 Willow Class March 2018
Year 3/4 Alder Class January/February 2018
Year 4/5 Hawthorn Class December 2017
Year 5/6 Hazel Class November 2017
Sycamore Class Year 5/6 - September 2017
Forest School After School Club - July 2017
