Forest School

At Flora Gardens, all children have weekly Forest School lessons. Our lessons take place in our Wildlife Garden where we are surrounded by trees, bushes, planters, a pond making it the perfect environment to discover, explore and learn about nature and the outdoors.

Forest School uses the outdoors to build independence, teamwork, problem solving skills and self-esteem. All children have the opportunity to develop a wide range of skills that they wouldn’t otherwise have a chance to do inside the classroom. This includes appropriate risk and challenge by using tools such as peelers, bow saws, loppers and fire making equipment. Example activities include self-portraits using natural resources, bug hunts, whittling sticks to make magic wands, planting seeds, toasting marshmallows, and lots more! Whilst Forest School offers a different style of learning, our approach is very cross curricular and has many links to the National Curriculum.

Children are also encouraged and supported during exploration time to challenge themselves by climbing trees, den building, and other child-initiated activities. Adults support children to risk assess and keep themselves safe. Children show resilience through learning new skills and undertaking activities that they may find challenging.

Our aim at Flora Gardens is that through the Forest School experiences, children become environmentally conscious citizens for the future.

Forest School at Flora Gardens -

Intent, Implementation, and Impact.

Intent

Forest School is a unique method of outdoor learning. At Flora Gardens Primary School our aim is to encourage and inspire children through positive outdoor experiences. Children participate in weekly Forest School lessons and will have the opportunity to learn about the natural environment, how to handle risks and most importantly to use their own initiative to solve problems and co-operate with others. Our aim is to give children the opportunity to take supported risks, and develop into resilient, confident, independent, and creative learners through exploring and experiencing the natural world.

Implementation

At Flora Gardens Primary School, children across the whole school have weekly Forest School lessons. Forest School lessons take place in our outdoor wildlife garden, home to many different plants and creatures! Forest School is about exploring and experiencing the natural world through practical activities. The children go out in all weathers, all year round, exploring and learning from the seasons and environment changes.

Our curriculum is based on developing knowledge and skills including using tools, fire making, science and nature, and creating – all whilst developing the children’s soft skills too. The children’s interests along with the varied natural resources in our wildlife garden are used to stimulate creative thinking, problem solving and skill development. Examples of lessons including making bug hotels, creating tribal weapons, building dens, nature art and toasting marshmallows on a fire.

Children also have the opportunity to engage in ‘exploration time’ towards the end of each lesson. Children are supported during this child-initiated time to take supported risks for example climbing trees and using an array of tools.

Impact

The impact of our Forest School has allowed children to grow in confidence as a result of the freedom, time and space they are given during the lessons. Children develop their soft skills such as teamwork and communication through activities such as sharing tools, communicating ideas, and participating in play as a group.

Our children are able to understand, assess and manage their own risk and safety. This allows the children to become more independent.

The review time at the end of each session allows time for this self-reflection, peer assessment and for all children to share their successes.

Children also develop an interest in the great outdoors and respect for the natural world around them.  The changing seasons and weather offer a wealth of interest and opportunities.

We measure the impact of our curriculum through the images and videos of the children’s practical learning which we share for parents to see on our ClassDojo pages. Pupil voices also show the impact of our Forest School lessons – children enjoy fire making and taking risks. They enjoy their lessons and have grown in confidence.