About Forest School
What is Forest School?
Forest school is an inspirational approach that offers ALL learners regular opportunities to achieve and develop confidence and self-esteem through hands-on learning in the natural environment. It is a place of trust, a place of belonging, a place of wonder and a place of power. (The Forest School England Network).
Everyone, everywhere, everything has potential.
Why do we run forest school at Moorlands Primary and what are the benefits?
Forest school is a type of outdoor education that enables children to further develop personal, social, technical and physical skills. Our primary goals are to:
- Encourage exploration, curiosity and imagination.
- Empower children in the natural environment.
- Encourage spatial awareness and for children to take measured risks.
- Develop physical, social and emotional skills to promote the health and well-being of everyone.
We believe forest school stimulates children’s intrinsic desire to learn, explore, discover and communicate with adults and one another.
What OFSTED said about our forest school
Children in the early years and Year 1 benefit greatly from their learning outdoors. They rapidly develop personal, social, emotional and behavioural skills as they learn to respect, explore and enjoy the natural world. (Feb 2015)
How do we keep children safe?
Our forest school leaders are fully qualified forest school practitioners and are also qualified in outdoor first aid. The site is carefully assessed and the children and adults review the rules and boundaries for keeping everyone safe at the beginning and during each session.
Part of forest school is teaching children about risks and how to evaluate them. So the children will be taught about fire, tool and pond safety, tree climbing, and how to identify and respond appropriately to bees and wasps, also plants such as fungi, nettles, etc.
If you have any questions please contact our forest school team.
What about the weather?
Forest school will be able to go ahead in almost all weather however, if there are high winds, thunderstorms or a weather warning issued for our area, forest school will be cancelled for that session.
“There is no such thing as bad weather, just bad clothing!”
How can you help?
Talking with your child about the weather on the morning of their forest school session, will help them with their decision of what to wear on that day. Also chat with your child about their day at forest school and their likes and dislikes, we are always keen to hear what they have to say.
What clothes are good to wear at Forest School?
The school provides waterproof trousers and jackets to protect children’s uniform if no outdoor clothing has been provided.
During cold weather, we suggest:
a pair of warm trousers or joggers, a long sleeved top, a warm jumper/fleece, warm hat, gloves, wellingtons and extra socks (wellingtons are great at keeping feet dry but not warm).
During warmer weather, we suggest:
light cool clothing, a top with long sleeves, trousers or joggers, sun hat and wellingtons or trainers.
They will need to bring this each week on their forest school day.
Who runs forest school?
We are fortunate to have 3 qualified Forest School Leaders – Mrs. Turner, Mrs. Roebuck and Mrs. Underwood who run the sessions on a daily basis.
Where do we go?
We are very lucky to have our own woodland environment which has a pond, fire pit and an enchanted cottage, amongst other exciting places.
A place of freedom, mental and physical
When do we go?
A session runs from 9.30am to 12 noon once a week for a term in reception and then again in year one, where we hope they will be able to experience a different season.
The children also have an opportunity to revisit forest school again in Key Stage 2, where they will attend for a term in Year 3 and half a term in Year 4 on an afternoon 1.20pm —3pm.
You can wash away the mud but you can’t wash away the experience!