What is Forest School?

1. Forest School is a long-term process of frequent and regular sessions in a woodland or natural environment

2. Forest School takes place in a woodland or natural wooded 

3.Forest School aims to promote the holistic development of all those involved, fostering resilient, confident, independent and creative learners environment to support the development of a relationship between the learner and the natural world.

4. Forest School offers learners the opportunity to take supported risks appropriate to the environment and to themselves.

5. Forest School is run by qualified Forest School practitioners who continuously maintain and develop their professional practice.

6.Forest School uses a range of learner-centred processes to create a community for development and learning

• "If you regularly take children outside to play or learn then its the same"

Outdoor Learning is a fantastic opportunity for children to learn outside, however this is usually structured by an adult and is not child led and does not follow the forest school philosophy. 

• "Anyone can run a forest school session"

In order to deliver a forest school session you must have a level 3 Forest School accreditation . The level 3 training contains assessments of the practitioner’s practical skills and awareness of health and safety, as well as their leadership of groups in the outdoors and ability to facilitate the Forest School ethos.

• Promotes Self confidence
• Promotes resilience
• Helps a child develop perseverance
• Encourages children to independently risk assess
• Encourages children to care about their environment by connecting with nature
• Encourages empathy for others and nature
• Supports physical fitness
• Improved mental health
• Better sleep
• Improves motivation and concentration
• Encourages children to develop positive relationships with others and with the environment
• Teaches biodiversity and habitats

and much much more!