Forest School

Intent - What do we want children to learn?

Quite simply, it is our intention that every pupil, irrelevant of needs, develops a real passion for the great outdoors and celebrates their local, natural environment.  We wish for every child to develop a knowledge and passion for their local habitat and how to look after and nurture it – the flora and fauna as well as embracing the physical and personal challenges that working outside can present.

Through Forest School we aim to support this philosophy by:

• Fostering the enjoyment of the great outdoors;
• Embracing the physical challenges that working outside can bring;
• Developing both fine and gross motor skills;
• Developing personal and social skills by working in pairs and teams to complete tasks;
• Developing a range of bespoke Forest School skills such as knot tying, frapping, fire lighting, lashing and whittling;
• Developing a knowledge of local common flora and fauna;
• Fostering an awareness of seasonal change;
• Encouraging children to take risks in a supported environment;
• Developing problem solving and resilience through practical tasks such as den building;
• Ensuring children develop an understanding of keeping safe;
• Encouraging children to be active and have a healthy lifestyle.
• Encouraging pupils’ personal involvement with practical tasks enabling them to improve their attention span, persistence and commitment.
• Ensuring that the learning is matched to the differing needs of all the children as well as specific groups, such as SEND, pupil premium etc. Extra support and additional/ adapted resources to be provided to those children where it is required.