What is Forest School?
Forest School is a long-term approach to education, for children, young people, families and adults, that maximises the benefits of learning in the outdoors.
Whilst its roots are planted firmly in our best understanding of the theory of how children learn, its practice puts the learner at the heart of their learning experience.
From this fundamental platform, Forest School offers children and young people the opportunity, over repeated visits, to engage with the rich natural diversity of the woodland environment to help build confidence, sensitivity, resilience and curiosity.
Forest School:
is a learning process
is long-term, taking place on a weekly basis with the same learners attending the whole process
takes place outdoors, particularly in wooded environments
has high staffing ratios working with small groups of children/young people/families/ learners
is lead by a qualified level 3 Forest School Leader, who works together with at least one other competent adult
involves a holistic understanding of how children learn and supports them to build confidence, resilience, independence and creativity
offers learners the opportunity to explore appropriate risk
Read more about the 6 principles of good practice agreed by the Forest School community in 2011 on the FSA (Forest School Association) website.
