FOREST SCHOOL
Subject leader - Mr Walton
Aims /intent
Forest School is a child-centred inspirational learning process that focuses on reconnecting (or in some cases ‘connecting’) children with their local outdoor environment, giving them the space and freedom to discover, play, explore and learn within a natural, outdoor setting. It is a long-term programme that supports play, exploration and supported risk taking. It develops confidence and self-esteem through learner inspired, hands-on experiences outside of the classroom which can be achieved in our very own well equipped Forest School setting.
Forest School can now be delivered alongside conventional education methods to provide children with the ability to transfer their skills they learn into everyday life. Forest School is popular with children of all ages as well as helping to support those children with specific emotional and behavioural needs. Improved social skills, greater peer interaction, stronger relationships and better problem-solving abilities are just some of the many benefits that can be gained through Forest School. Forest School sessions at St Andrew’s provide our pupils with increasingly diverse opportunities to benefit from a supportive curriculum that can help them build positive values and attitudes about themselves, about learning and the environment in which they live. Our pupils are invited to participate in challenging and achievable tasks that build their confidence, skills and independence. This time and reflective practice develops inter- and intra-personal skills, which are well-documented as being directly linked to learning skills.
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How do we do it? / Implementation
Every year group at St Andrew’s will take part in Forest School at some point during the academic year. Each half term, the year group for Forest School will rotate meaning that every class will be given an opportunity to take part in Forest School. Forest School will take place for one morning during the week. At Forest School, our pupils get to tackle a range of fun challenges and activities. Below are just some examples of what our children get up to in Forest School;
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Outcomes/Impact
Successful outdoor education allows children to:
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