FOREST SCHOOL
Freeman CP School are pleased to be able to offer Forest School to the children as part of our normal curriculum.
What is Forest School?
Forest School, which originated in Scandinavia in the 1950s, was introduced to the UK 30 years ago and has grown rapidly since then. It aims to be an inspirational process that offers children and others, regular opportunities to develop in a holistic way, developing self-awareness, self-motivation, empathy and social skills, through interaction in and with the natural environment in a local woodland experience.
What are the benefits of Forest School?
Forest School, covers all aspects of the curriculum and builds a sense of community and a connection to nature, but Forest School’s main principle is that it is child-led. Children are encouraged to explore, problem solve, build shelters, tie knots, use tools, light fires and be creative with natural resources.
Where do you hold Forest School?
Sessions take place in the woods running alongside and within the school field. There is ample space here for children to explore and learn within nature and a log seating area for children to relax between all of the fun activities of the lesson.
Who teaches the children at Forest School?
Mrs Kydd, ‘Dragonfly’, one of our Year 4 teachers, is a certified Forest School Leader who leads the sessions with the assistance of 'Jackdaw' and 'Red Squirrel', two of our Teaching Assistants.
What does Forest School involve?
At their first session the children choose their Forest School name which they then use at Forest School throughout their time at Freeman.
The children learn about conservation at Forest School through activities which promote taking care of the flora and fauna that we already have in the woods and encouraging new wildlife.
The children have oppurtunities to do many things during Forest School, including plant saplings and bulbs, make bird feeders, bird boxes, bug hotels and create log piles to encourage hedgehogs. Some areas are also left wild to preserve insect habitats. Children get the oppurtunity to make various food items via natural methods, like on an open fire aswell as using their imagination and getting creative with all that nature has to offer.
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