Forest School is an approach to education that reveals the exceptional outside classroom. The natural environment becomes a unique learning vehicle that drives children’s learning forward. Through endless outdoor opportunities, a special relationship is nurtured between children and their outdoor world. It believes in children’s right to play; the right to access outdoors in a woodland environment; the right to access risk; the right to experience the natural world around them; the right to experience a healthy range of emotions, through all challenges of social interaction, to build resilience that enables continued and creative engagement with peers.
Our children are at the heart of our Forest School education where all learning styles and behaviours are provided for. Forest School at Allerton aims to protect, nurture and support children’s learning and development through hands on practical experiences in a natural environment. Regular experiences with the natural world supports our children on their journey towards becoming confident, healthy, active and imaginative individuals. This holistic approach we believe, works alongside our language for learning philosophy where children foster resilience, confidence, independence and creativity. For our Year One children, this is an extension to the outdoor learning provision already in place. Children across school have the opportunity to take part in Forest School and different outdoor activities in the woodland environment supporting their social, emotional and physical development.
We do things that are not possible indoors
We can be relaxed and inventive
We move around in a bigger space
We experience the wonders of nature
| We are resilient learners… | We are challenged in weather differences and the changes in the seasons allows use to become resilient to these changes We try new things through courage and risk… we take a step into the unknown We show determination with new skills, tools and challenges We explore new activities We have opportunities to practise new skills and techniques which helps us become resilient learners. We have physical challenges within the woodland We always work in new teams with unfamiliar children We have regular contact with the natural environment We take part in decision making |
| We are confident learners… | We develop social relationships with others We make our own decision making and child led learning We develop individual voice using talking sticks, talking log, and speaking posts We learn through practical hands on activities We are risk takers and these new challenges develops confidence A learner-centred pedagogical approach is employed developing the confidence and interests of the learner. We respect others and our outdoor surroundings We have equal, unique and valuable experiences We are provided with a safe and supportive environment We develop friendships and foster a new sense of belonging We are encouraged through praise and recognition of success |
| We are independent learners… | We are responsible for our own milk, fruit, kit and tools at forest school We are responsible for own safety with new tools and skills We have opportunities to discover and explore independently We set tasks to be completed individually which develops drive and independence We use thinking skills for new ways of learning We choose and initiate and drive own learning and development We develop a strong, positive relationship with their natural world We initiate our own ideas |
| We are creative learners… | We begin to view the environment in different ways We play and use the woodland with creativity and imagination We create natural and woodland art work We use woodland and natural materials in imaginative play We use woodland rich texts and are exposed to literature and stories that can be used as role play We become creative and imaginative woodlands characters adopted as part of the woodland We make use of the mud kitchen to support creativity We use expressive arts and use of props |