Forest School

Forest School is an inspirational process that connects children with nature and develops confidence, resilience and self-esteem through hands-on learning experiences in our woodland setting.

At Forest School our aim is to:

• Create an outdoor focused community where children are confident, happy, free-thinking and valued
• Present children with opportunities to use a range of tools as well as create and manage their own projects
• Facilitate child-led activities across a variety of seasons where children will experience risks and challenges
• Allow children time and space to reflect on learning, individually and collectively, and develop a strong, positive relationship with their natural world.

Our Forest School embodies Danesfield’s ‘Growth Mindset’ outlook where children are taught to love challenges, be intrigued by mistakes, enjoy effort, and keep on learning. This specialised learning approach which sits within and complements the wider context of outdoor and woodland education, enables every child to drive their own development amidst the wonder and magic of all the seasons. The ever-changing marvels of the natural world fill every Forest School session with discovery and difference. Yet each session shares a common set of principles, aimed at ensuring that all learners experience the cumulative and lasting benefits that quality Forest School offers.

Principles of Forest School

• Forest school is a long-term process of regular sessions, rather than a one-off or infrequent visits; the cycle of planning, observation, adaptation and review links each session
• Forest school takes place in a woodland setting which children cannot access during break times; this supports the development of a relationship between the learner and the natural world
• Forest School uses a range of learner-centred processes to create a community for being, development and learning
• Forest School aims to promote the holistic development of all those involved, fostering resilient, confident, independent and creative learners
• Forest School offers learners the opportunity to take supported risks appropriate to the environment and to themselves
• Forest School is run by qualified Forest School practitioners who continuously maintain and develop their professional practice