Forest School

What Does It Look Like?

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Forest school enriches our children’s learning and encourages them to be adventurous, imaginative and observant. Mrs Chisholm and Mrs Tuffley, Forest School Coordinators, work closely with the class teachers to link forest school with all areas of the curriculum and our school values. 

The children develop in confidence as they achieve new social skills; such as collaboration, and personal qualities, such as initiative and determination. These skills develop over the block of sessions through real life experience in our beautiful woodland and the journey to it. The children learn to care for themselves and develop trust in each other while playing. They are taught to use tools safely and respect the natural world.

We set off in almost all weathers which gives us opportunities to build shelters, get muddy, cope with walking up hills on hot summer days and occasionally build igloos. Whilst there are real challenges and adventures the children’s safety, enjoyment and well-being is at the heart of Forest School.

Intent:

Our intent is to give Brill children an opportunity for outdoor learning, linking classroom topics and experiences, within a natural, ever-changing local environment. We aim to develop skills in creativity, resilience, problem-solving, appropriate risk-taking, collaboration and self-confidence. We will extend children’s interests and exploration to gain greater depth of knowledge and enjoyment of learning, within an exciting environment, with less defined boundaries than the classroom.

Implementation:

We will liaise with class teachers to plan challenging and exciting activities, linked with the curriculum. There is a focus on meeting the needs of individual children, particularly those who find class based learning a challenge. In our planning for our sessions, there is a balance between free play and exploration, activities to facilitate interests and tasks to extend skills and knowledge in curriculum topics.

Impact:

We hope to inspire in our children, enthusiasm, confidence, curiosity and respect for their natural surroundings. We would like our children to take everything they have gained from Forest School (resilience, confidence, problem-solving skills, team-work, effective communication, risk management) back into the classroom and into their lives outside of school to share with their families.

Mrs Chisholm
Mrs Chisholm

Teaching Assistant, Year 1 / Forest School Lead

Mrs Tuffley
Mrs Tuffley

Teaching Assistant, Year 6 / Forest School Lead

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With the wind in our sails, we shall live ‘life in all its fullness’John 10:10