Forest School
At The Richard Clarke First School, the implementation of Forest School is deeply rooted in the conviction that it offers fantastic opportunities for the holistic development of our pupils. By providing a long-term commitment to nature-based education, we ensure that children forge lasting connections with the natural world, fostering a sense of stewardship and respect. Through child-led exploration and play in outdoor environments, guided by trained professionals, students not only deepen their understanding of the environment but also develop essential life skills such as risk assessment, problem-solving, and teamwork. Within the safe yet adventurous setting of Forest School, children are encouraged to take safe risks, building resilience and self-confidence while engaging in hands-on learning experiences that cater to their individual interests and needs. Forest School sessions at The Richard Clarke First School seamlessly integrate with the national curriculum, enriching subjects such as science, geography, and physical education through real-world, experiential learning opportunities as well as cultivating not only academic excellence but also a profound sense of well-being, environmental responsibility, and lifelong curiosity.
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Forest school is defined by 6 core principles
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Long-term principle | Forest school takes place weekly, each set of children experience forest school every year throughout their school life over different seasons. Children have access to the same space during playtime and lunchtimes when they are not having specific Forest School sessions. The progression of knowledge and skills highlights the progression of learning across the year groups. The first sessions focus on establishing boundaries and making initial observations of the group. |
| Nature principle | Our sessions are run in the rainbow garden, the environment is made up of a mixture of ‘in woodland’ and in a natural area with trees and plants. The Forest School lead ensures that the impact of regular Forest School sessions do not impact the area negatively by establishing rules and boundaries and the children work to care for the area by gardening and learning how to respect the space. The Forest School sessions foster relationships with the children and the environment and develop positive attitudes towards environmentally sustainable practices. Forest school sessions make good use of the natural resources available and plan in activities to enhance these. | |
| Community principle | Play is integral to the forest school sessions. The staff are responsive to the learner’s needs and interests and they provide the resources and the scaffolding needed to support their ideas. Support and modelling is given to other members of staff who come out to support. Every child can access the forest school programme at their own level through self guided learning. Practitioners are reflective and discuss observations and needs of the cohort to help them plan for future sessions. | |
| Risk principle | Tool and fire use has been planned into the progression of skills and will only be used when the learners are deemed capable of following safety rules. Fires and tools will only be used by trained level 3 Forest School practitioner who also has a suitable first aid qualification and has reviewed the suitable risk assessments. Informal risk assessments will be made on a session by session basis to determine the activities used. The rainbow garden environment has different levels and opportunities for taking safe risks like climbing, balancing and jumping. | |
| Holistic learning principle | Forest school activities can be linked to experiences and learning in the curriculum or home and through observation, can develop physical, social, cognitive, linguistic, emotional and spiritual aspects. | |
| Leadership principle | Forest School sessions are run by a level 3 qualified Forest School practitioner. There are always 2 members of staff out with the children, especially when more risky activities like tools and fires are being run. These staff are other members of the school team like teachers and TAs or suitable checked volunteers. The Forest School lead holds an up to date paediatric first aid certificate. All the relevant policies and risk assessments are reviewed annually and when required. |
