top of page
What is Forest School?
An experiential learning process
Forest School is a child-centred learning process where learners spend regular, sustained time in a natural, woodland environment. Through exploration, play and risk-taking, they build confidence and self-esteem.
The story
A learning process,
not a lesson
Forest School isn't a one-off visit or an outdoor activity. It's a long-term, relational way of learning that grows over time.
We incorporate the principles of Forest School into all of our sessions. The majority of each session is devoted to free play. We share stories, eat together in the fire circle and have areas with different resources set up — but children are welcome to choose to interact with all, one or none of these.
Chapter 1
What Forest School means
Forest School is a child-centred learning process, where learners spend regular, sustained time in a natural, woodland environment. Through exploration, play and risk-taking they build confidence and self-esteem.
Chapter 2
The role of the leader
Forest School is a child-centred learning process, where learners spend regular, sustained time in a natural, woodland environment. Through exploration, play and risk-taking they build confidence and self-esteem.
Chapter 3
A typical Canopy Session
We incorporate the principles of Forest School into all of our sessions. The majority of each session is devoted to free play. We share stories, eat together in the fire circle and have areas with different resources set up — but children are welcome to choose to interact with all, one or none of these.
Chapter 4
Seasons & relationships
We incorporate the principles of Forest School into all of our sessions. The majority of each session is devoted to free play. We share stories, eat together in the fire circle and have areas with different resources set up — but children are welcome to choose to interact with all, one or none of these.
Chapter 5
The Scandinavian roots
Forest School is an experiential learning process. The roots of Forest School go back to the open-air Scandinavian culture of friluftsliv, or free air life. Forest Schools arrived in the UK in 1993 and have grown in strength ever since.
The six principles
The foundations of Forest School
The Benefits
What makes Forest School unique is the emphasis on outdoor learning and having the freedom to explore the ever changing environment during a long term programme.
​
Forest school can make a difference in the following ways:
​
-
Builds confidence, self-esteem and self-belief
-
Social skills
-
Communication
-
Connections and community
-
Motivation
-
Develops team working skills
-
Promotes independence
-
Physical skills
-
Provides opportunities to take risks in a wild yet controlled environment
-
Provides opportunities to develop thinking skills and solve problems
-
Knowledge and understanding
-
Learning new skills and fosters creativity
-
Complements classroom and workplace learning where skills can be transferred
-
It is lots of fun
There is plenty of research showing the positive outcomes from Forest School, nature play and spending time outside. Our sessions could be the perfect way for you and your little one to start to experience these benefits.
bottom of page