Forest School
Ethos
The ethos of forest school is based on respecting how young children investigate the world around them.
Forest school gives the children the right to play and access outdoors, taking risks and understanding the natural world, giving the children the right to experience their emotions ,social interactions and enable them to continue their creative engagement with their peers.
Forest School is planned through children and young peoples learning. It requires a Forest School Leader to observe the children and guide them in their experiences from learning out-side. Being in a woodland environment is important in supporting their learning it is- a source of smells, textures,sounds for all to discover and learn.
Clothing
Children will need to wear the right clothing at forest school.
Autumn/Winter - Woolly hat, Scarf, Gloves, Water proof trousers and jackets, Wellies.
Spring/Summer - Long sleeves/ trousers, Water proof trousers, Wellies, Hat, Sun cream.
We do have a limited supply of spare waterproofs, clothing, hats and gloves in an emergency. Children with long hair it is advisable for it to be tied back.
Session Routine
The children will start off the session walking to forest school then sitting down on wooden logs around the base camp. We will talk about the rules of "No picky, no licky, no licky, no picky", this means not picking things that are growing and putting in their mouths. The Forest School Leader has a puppet friend called Lucy who also at times needs reminding of the rules.
The children start by playing hide and seek and Lucy has the job of trying to find them, maybe behind trees or in a house made of sticks, before exploring digging in the mud, bug catching, making dens, constructing with wood and sticks, looking at different species of birds in the area and planting.
A well earned drink is also available during the session.
Forest School Dates