Forest School aims to give children an outdoor learning experience which benefits the whole child; emotionally, socially, intellectually and physically. The Secret Garden at Whitehouse Primary School offers endless learning opportunities for children without them even realising they are learning! Come rain or shine the children will explore, innovate, investigate and develop; all whilst having a lot of fun and fresh air! 

 

What is Forest School? 

Forest school is a long term educational process set in an outdoor (ideally wooded) environment. Forest School encourages children to develop an inquisitive and positive relationship with the natural environment. Forest School encourages children to direct their own learning with planned and unplanned activities and games that encourage the development of their social and emotional skills. Stimulating play enables children to scaffold their learning and to work as part of a team. Observations of the children during Forest School sessions enable the leaders to build on the children’s learning and development of confidence and self-esteem. Forest School is fundamentally about the process of learning a new skill rather than the product of that skill.  

 

Forest School Principles  

Forest School in the UK is based around six guiding principles, as taken from www.forestschoolassociation.org. Our Forest School will adhere to all of these principles to ensure the children get maximum benefit from the sessions. 

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. 

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. 

Principle 3: Forest School aims to promote the holistic development of all those involved, fostering resilient, confident, independent and creative learners. 

Principle 4: Forest School offers learners the opportunity to take supported risks appropriate to the environment and to themselves. 

Principle 5: Forest School is run by qualified Forest School practitioners who continuously maintain and develop their professional practice. 

Principle 6: Forest School uses a range of learner-centred processes to create a community for development and learning.

 

Mrs Laura Fox and Mrs Serena Clark are our Forest School Leaders at Whitehouse Primary School.