Forest School

The Forest School Association summarises “Forest School is a child-centred inspirational learning process, that offers opportunities for holistic growth through regular sessions in the natural environment.  It is a long-term program that supports play, exploration and supported risk taking. It develops confidence and self-esteem through learner inspired, hands-on experiences in a natural setting.

Forest School has a developmental ethos shared by thousands of trained practitioners around the world, who are constantly developing their learning styles and skills to support new and imaginative learners. Its roots reach back to the open-air culture or free air life, seen as a way of life in Scandinavia where Forest School began. It arrived in the UK in 1993 and has grown from strength to strength since then.”

Forest School supports children’s development by encouraging them to investigate, risk, test and maintain curiosity around them. It is based on a fundamental rule of respect towards each other and nature.

Forest School supports holistic development of each child and believes that each child has the right to play and access the outdoors (particularly woodland) space. It is all about allowing children to learn in their own way and at their own pace in a natural setting. Giving them the independence to experiment, take some risks and achieve their own goals helps to nurture their self-esteem, independence, confidence and risk management skills. Social skills flourish as kindness and imagination are encouraged with the community in the woodland.

More information about Forest Schools can be found at:  https://forestschoolassociation.org/what-is-forest-school/

Lavenham Pre-school introduced Forest School in 2021 and recently extended and upgraded the site. The sessions are led by two qualified Forest School Leaders: Emma Appleby and Elzbieta Zlotek, who are responsible for safety and development of all the children. Our woodland area is fully risk assessed and checked before every Forest School session. All activities within the woods are risk assessed to make them as safe as possible while allowing the children the opportunity to play freely and build their self esteem, confidence and skills.

Our sessions usually run for up to 2 hours in the woodland depending on the weather. We start and finish every session with a community circle where we talk about what we might want to do. At the end of the session, reflect on what we enjoyed and what we would love to do the next time we visit. The Forest School leaders will have an idea for the session although these often change with the interests of the children on that day for example, we might chose to make bird feeders as the children have loved watching a resident robin. We sometimes have a camp fire to cook delicious snacks. There will be some tool work which is very closely supervised and helps the child to build their physical skills as well as the confidence from learning new skills.

The woodland environment supports children’s development on many levels. Starting from the general well-being of each child to supporting development of Specific Areas of Development (EYFS).

Children learn about the passage of time by observing the changing of the seasons. We might extend focus time by the contemplation of an ancient tree, relaxing and connecting with nature. Children have the opportunity to engage all senses on the journey through the forest in all weathers unless it is unsafe to do so.

There is an infinite source of smell, texture, sounds and tastes. There is a range of visual stimulation, layers of historical, cultural, spiritual and mythological significance that speak of our deep relationship with nature. This unique and prehistorical connection with nature which we all need to nurture. Throughout the Forest School session, we are expanding their imagination and teaching them how important is to care about our natural environment.