Forest School

News!

The next Forest School Leader course (BTEC level 3) for schools in the GWCF is being run in Swindon by Bridgwater College from 12th to 16th May 2008. Cost: £300 pp for schools within the Great Western Community Forest, £700 pp external. The course is sponsored by Active Swindon and the Great Western Community Forest. To book a place or for more information please contact Gesa Reiss email: greiss@swindon.go.uk or Nan Pratt email: npratt@swindon.gov.uk.

What is a Forest School?

Forest School is an inspirational process offering children, young people and adults, regular opportunities to achieve, and to develop confidence and self-esteem through hands on learning experiences in a local outdoor environment.

What happens at a successful Forest School?

The whole school culture embodies the Forest School ethos. There is a desire to inspire individuals to develop positive attitudes and dispositions, and to encourage risk-taking so that he / she grows in confidence and develops a feeling of self-worth.

The focus is on the ‘whole child’ (not just their academic ability) and how they can develop their own learning styles at their own pace whilst maximising the benefits from each experience they discover for themselves.

A Forest School leader initially talks to the parents/carers about Forest School and leaders get to know the participants and gain their confidence before taking them to the woodland.

There is an appropriate, local outdoor site, e.g. a local woodland, which the group visits on a regular basis (once a week or fortnightly) ideally throughout the year, except in extreme conditions.

There is always a high adult to pupil ratio.

Each session is learner-led, based on the skills and needs of the individual child.

Games are played and small, achievable tasks are set such as hide and seek, building shelters, learning how to use appropriate tools, lighting fires, cooking. The participants learn to use natural materials and develop practical and intellectual skills.

Each session is linked with the National Curriculum.

Learning schemas and styles are fully considered so each child gains maximum benefit from Forest School.

The Forest School model is suited to people of all ages and has been found to be particularly successful with children and young people who may struggle to achieve in the more formal classroom setting.

How do I set up a Forest School?

Contact Gesa Reiss email: greiss@swindon.gov.uk or Nan Pratt email: npratt@swindon.gov.uk at the Great Western Community Forest. They will provide information on Forest School delivery and leader training with opportunities in and around Swindon. They will support you through a package selected from Forest Fun days, Family learning, Story Sacks, Forest Schools and the Woodland for Activity Network.

Useful links

For further information on the national Forest School Initiative visit the Forest Education Initiative website.