What is Forest School?

Forest School is a child-lead, outside learning model that focuses on social skills and physical activities. Our program supports play, exploration, supported risk taking and hands on crafting and tool use experiences to build confidence and fine motor skills.

Through our Forest School program, children of all ages come to our Secret Garden and take part in activities that range from games of hide and seek, mixing potions in our potions area, completing a scavenger hunt or cooking on an open fire. All under the observation of our Forest School staff.

Children who have been coming to Forest School for a long time, there is a noticeable change in their behaviour. Often children are more independent, confident, caring and observant of the world around them.

There have been many cases where a child will start at Forest School, requiring help and hand holding through most of what they do as it is an unfamiliar environment. However not long later they are hanging upside down from a branch yelling “LOOK AT ME!”

Forest School at SMPA

Our forest school timetable is split into three sections across the day. From first thing in the morning until Break time, from the end of break until lunch, from the end of lunch until the end of the day.

The morning Forest School sessions are carefully timetabled to provide this learning provision to SEN children and pupils who require it the most and receive the most benefit from being outside and connecting with nature. These sessions often include a mix of children from different year groups and are put together based off behaviour and interests.

To ensure that everyone gets the opportunity to come to Forest School, the afternoon sessions are timetabled dedicated to year groups, not including the children who come in the mornings, so that everyone gets a chance in the Forest School garden.

Is Forest School Safe?

Forest School sessions will be led by Mr Ben Heffernan who is a fully qualified Forest School Leader, with over 6 years outdoor education experience. He is also trained in first aid.

Forest School Sessions are also supported by our dedicated Forest School Learning Assistant Mr Harrison Quirk

Staffing ratios will be adhered to and any pupils who require 1:1 support will have this during Forest School. Forest School Sessions are inclusive and planned to allow all pupils, including SEN to participate fully. The safety and welfare of the pupils participating in Forest School is paramount and therefore all tasks are age-appropriate and risk assessments have been carried out for all activities prior to taking place.

What Do We Do?

Mr Heffernan has developed a diverse set of sessions that link in with core curriculum and foundation subjects that excite and inspire young minds. His sessions help promote an holistic approach to learning that incorporates play, creativity, communication and imagination.
Mr Heffernan's sessions are built around building self-confidence, a greater social capability and resilience. Children learn to take risks, experience life and growth, and have their own adventures.
Mr Heffernan also provides weekly Forest School sessions to children identified as 'vulnerable' and/or with poor school attendance, and those simply in need of some nurturing. These sessions have proven to foster self-esteem and confidence but also develop a stronger positive attitude to learning. These sessions have had positive impacts to self-confidence, social capability and resilience.
 

Activities

Campfires

Sitting around the campfire as a group: learning, listening, singing, making and sharing food cooked on the fire is a wonderfully communal and magical experience for children. This incredibly ancient tradition still remains mystifying, stimulating the senses by letting you feel the fires warmth, and at Forest School we teach the skills of fire lighting using natural materials;  children learn to respect it and take ownership, to both build a fire and cook on it. Qualified FS Leaders supervision at all times.

Den Building

Always a firm favourite, natural dens, tarp shelters and willow domes; if you have the imagination, we can help you build it. Children learn key skills such as knot tying, alongside communication, collaboration and problem solving skills.

Tool Use

Forest School tools are wide and varied, from outdoor cutting tools such as bushcraft knives for whittling, through to axes and hatchets for splitting wood, and bowsaws for cutting the branches off trees.

Mini-Beast Hunts

We're going on a bug hunt! Exploring different habitats is a fantastic way for children to explore and discover the world around enabling them to  develop a range of skills when finding, collecting, identifying, recording, drawing and discussing mini-beasts. finding and collecting mini-beasts can be a great team activity that covers many Early Years goals, from communication and language, to physical development. There are also opportunities for literacy, maths and art when looking for these little critters.

Natural Arts and Crafts

Forest mobiles, necklaces and bracelets, stickmen, puppets - the possibilities are endless when you have the imagination and a few resources. We love getting children to look closely at their environment and the things that can be found in it. Eco art is great for this. 

Bushcraft and Survival

There is something about the idea of having to survive with only your skills and instincts that engages most children. We teach survival skills from fire lighting to bow making, but also like to have a bit of fun drawing on popular computer games such as Minecraft to show children that there's more to building a trusty shelter than a click of a few buttons.

Team Building

During Forest School we're all about building confidence, self esteem, developing communication, co-operation and leadership skills. What better way of doing so than to immerse yourself in nature and take on some of our team challenges. Mr Heffernan has a collection of diverse games and team building activities from treasure trails to Ninja training courses, which have been tried and tested over the years, that enhance problem solving skills and encourage creativity whilst having lots of fun in the process. We actively encourage our participants to use their imagination by developing their own games challenges, providing plenty of free time to do so. Our instructor lead games demonstrate what can be done outside with a bit of creativity.

Music, Shows and Story Telling

Incorporating music, drama and story telling adds something special to Forest School sessions. Whether it's building a makeshift stage for children to perform on or setting the mood around the campfire with a story.

Tree Climbing

Children seem to have a natural urge to climb trees! Although tree climbing does have some inherent risks, the benefits that can be gained from such an activity can be monumental to a child's development. We assess the risks through Risk Benefit Analysis (RBA) so we can still provide realistic challenges for the children, allowing them to work through obstacles and learn to weigh up risk for themselves.

Nature Detectives

Spring, Summer, Autumn or Winter, it doesn't matter  - we are outside exploring the changing seasons. With important links to the national curriculum such as plant and animal life, weather patterns, relationships and patterns in nature, there is so much to be gained for curious minds.

What Will Children Need When Attending Forest School?

​​​​​​​Forest School activities and what is needed is influenced by the weather. However because British weather is so changeable, please ensure that your children are prepared for anything that the day may throw their way. This may include:

• Wellies
• Waterproof coat
• Gloves
• Hats (for warm and for cold weather)
• Drink bottle
• Sun cream