Rationale and Vision Statement for Forest School at Brinsworth Manor Infant School

At Brinsworth Manor Infant school we are dedicated to building a sense of care and connection between our children and the natural world. We strive to instill a lifelong dedication to environmental stewardship and a sense of community through caring for our surroundings. We want to grow children who can be independent, imaginative and able to take risks. We want our children to grow holistically as individuals connected to themselves and others  through experiences in the outdoors.

What is Forest School?

Forest School is a unique educational experience and process that offers children the opportunity to succeed and develop confidence and self-esteem through hands-on learning experiences in a woodland environment. Children engage in motivating and achievable tasks and activities throughout the year and in almost all weathers, with the appropriate footwear and clothing. Children will work with tools, play, learn and begin to understand the boundaries of behavior, both physical and social They will grow in confidence, self- esteem and motivation whilst developing an understanding of the natural world. The Forest School concept originates in Denmark, originally aimed at pre- school children, where it was found that children who had attended forest school then arrived at school with strong social and communication skills, having the ability to work in groups effectively, generally had high self-esteem and a confidence in their own abilities. These foundations helped them to raise their academic achievements.

Forest School Principles

The Forest School ethos and principles The Forest School ethos has 6 principles (reviewed in 2011 and published by the Forest School association https://www.forestschoolassociation.org/what-is-forest-school/)

 and these are:

 • FS is a long-term process of regular sessions, rather than a one-off or infrequent visit; the cycle of planning, observation, adaptation and review links each session.

 • FS takes place in a woodland or natural environment to support the development of a relationship between the learner and the natural world.

 • FS uses a range of learner-centred processes to create a community for being, development and learning.

 • FS aims to promote the holistic development of all those involved, fostering resilient, confident, independent and creative learners.

• FS offers learners the opportunity to take supported risks appropriate to the environment and to themselves.

• FS is run by qualified Forest School practitioners who continuously maintain and develop their professional practice: for further details visit

https//www.forestschoolassociation.org/full-principles-and-criteria-for-good-practice/

Our Forest School encourages children to:

 · develop personal and social skills

· work through practical problems and challenges

· use tools to create, build or manage

 · discover how they learn best

 · pursue knowledge that interests them

· learn how to manage failures

· build confidence in decision making and evaluating risk

 · develop practical skills

· understand the benefits of a balanced and healthy lifestyle

· explore connections between humans, wildlife and the earth

· regularly experience achievement and success

· reflect on learning and experiences

· develop their language and communication skills

· improve physical motor skills

 · become more motivated

· improve their concentration skills

· improve their communication

· and explore the world through all the senses available to them

 The benefits of Forest School

 Forest School is suited to all ages and abilities. The aim of Forest School is to develop the person as a whole. It is particularly suited to people who have a low sense of self-worth and who struggle for various reasons to learn in a traditional classroom setting. Completing small achievable tasks, coupled with genuine praise from Leaders, helps to boost confidence and self-esteem. For children at school, attitudes to learning are improved as they find that learning can be fun and enjoyable. This new positive outlook is then transferred to the classroom where they are found to be more motivated and able to concentrate better. Forest School can also:

 · Develop physical abilities and help participants to stay active and healthy.

 · Heighten self-awareness and improve emotional and social skills.

· Promote co-operative and group working.

· Encourage participants to take care of themselves and others.

 · Foster care, appreciation and respect for wildlife and wild places.

 · Broaden knowledge and understanding of the natural world.

 Forest School Firm foundations in our Nursery

 Our daily Forest School sessions are organised and run by Penny Rotherforth who has  Level 3 Award for leading Forest Schools. All staff and volunteers have undergone an appropriate selection process to assess their skills and suitability for working with children and have been subject to enhanced DBS checks. All sessions are staffed by a qualified paediatric first aider and all staff have access to a recommended first aid kit.

Continuing the Forest School  Journey in Reception and Key Stage 1

Our weekly Forest School sessions are organised by class teachers and overseen by Penny Rotherforth who holds a Level 3 Award for leading Forest Schools. All teaching staff  have undergone outdoor learning training and forest school initial training with Penny. They have also been part of an appropriate selection process to assess their skills and suitability for working with children and have been subject to enhanced DBS checks. All sessions are staffed by a qualified first aider and all staff have access to a recommended first aid kit.

.A Typical Forest School session

“Each day and every day,”

“There is no such thing as bad weather only the wrong clothing”

 Each Forest School session follows a simple routine. The session starts with participants getting ready to go outside by putting on appropriate clothing – waterproof coats, trousers and wellington boots. We go through rules and routines whilst still in class and children help gather any resources we need to take out with us in our rucksacks and bags. The group then walks to the Forest School site and gathers at the log circle. The circle is central to everything that happens at Forest School. It is a focal point where the group assembles and socialises.

 At the start of the session, participants and Leaders sit together and talk about what they did and particularly enjoyed doing at the last session, and what they are planning to do during the current one. Many activities take place in or around the circle, such as natural art and woodwork storytelling and snack times. At the end of each session participants gather together to reflect on their learning and share their thoughts and feelings.

 Early sessions involve participants getting to know the site and learning basic safety rules. Practitioners observe the children in play and plan for their next steps and interests through forest school activities. Children then have the framework and boundaries to help them to move on to more complex and detailed tasks and are given more play freedom for personalised learning. At the end of each session, after the reflection, participants help Leaders to pack away the tools and materials they have been using and help to return the woodland to the state in which they found it.

“Take nothing from forest school only your memories and experiences”

Links to outdoor activities, woodlands and forests near us