Our school grounds allow for excellent outdoor learning. This might be through our conservation and gardening area, our OPAL play or our Forest School.
Thanks to a generous donation from the PSA, we have developed and improved our Forest School area and curriculum so that in this academic year every class will take part in a term of Forest School learning with Mrs Dixson and Mrs Monks on Wednesday mornings. Year 1 and 2 will alternate weeks in Term 1 and 2. Year 3 and 4 will alternate weeks in Term 3 and 4. Year 5 and 6 will alternate weeks in Term 5 and 6. Children in our nursery and Reception classes will have Forest School sessions in the mornings led by Mrs Graveson.
Forest School is a teaching method that has its roots in Scandinavia. Children learn outside and take part in a range of specifically planned activities such as constructing dens, starting fires and cooking outdoors, as well as learning about environmental conservation, using tools safely, bug hunting and exploring our flora and fauna.
Forest School is known to enhance self-esteem, promote health and well-being, build confidence, develop emotional intelligence, help foster teamwork and teach children to embrace calculated risks.
Nearly all sessions this year will take place on school grounds but, if possible, one of the group’s last sessions may take place at Camerton woods, just past the cricket club. We will need parent support for this session so please let Mrs Dixson know if this is something you can help with if you are DBS checked. The woods have been risk assessed and if you would like to see the risk assessment we are happy to share this with you.
Please see the photos below for some ideas of what we may do in our sessions:
Although we follow a child led approach to help us structure our sessions we do have a progressive pathway which helps us to ensure all children are reaching their potential in these sessions which you can see here: Forest School Pathway.
Forest School operates regardless of the weather conditions, except in cases of extreme weather or high winds that have been forecasted. We kindly request that parents ensure their children come prepared based on the kit list below. Be reassured that children will only be taken outside if they are properly dressed and necessary precautions have been taken to keep them comfortable, dry, warm and ready for adventure! Here is an example of the kit list for cold and hot weather: Forest School Clothing.
Year 1 Forest School
Year 2 Forest School