Forest School

We are very fortunate at St John’s Stonefold to have our very own Forest School programme.

The main focus of Forest School is to deliver all aspects of the curriculum in a stimulating outdoor environment.

Forest School is a long-term approach to education, for children, and young people, it maximises the benefits of learning in the outdoors. It is a fantastic process that provides opportunities and experiences for children to achieve and develop confidence, self-esteem and knowledge of our natural environment; through first hand experiences.

Forest school gives all children at St John’s Stonefold the opportunity to develop key skills and confidence and the Forest School programme is delivered by our professionally trained Outdoor Leaders.

Forest School is based on the principle that children of all ages can benefit greatly from the learning opportunities inherently present in a woodland environment. Forest Schools provide opportunities in an outdoor setting for children to develop a variety of skills: particularly PSHE skills such as independence, self-discovery, communication, self-esteem and confidence building. Children learn to take risks, use their initiatives and co-operate. Beyond this, teachers can use the outdoor environment as a vehicle for art activities, key science concepts, developing physical skills and a whole lot more! In a typical session there may be an adult-led activity, but the ethos of Forest Schools also allows time for children to follow their own learning pathways and interests and adults then support them in their learning.

Some of the benefits include:

• Confidence
• Communication
• Independence

Forest School helps children to grow in confidence as a result of the freedom, time and space they are given in their learning.

• Social skills

Activities such as sharing tools and participating in play help teach the children to work together as a group, which strengthens their bonds and social ties.

•  Physical skills

The increase in outdoor activity is bound to have a positive physical impact. Not only does the development of physical stamina improve but also gross and fine motor skills.

•  Communication

The sensory experiences provided by Forest School’s helps prompt language development. Improving communication skills has a positive effect on a child’s self-esteem and is a crucial part of their development.

• Curiosity
• Risk Taking

Children are also encouraged to take supported risks in order to develop their resilience, creativity and curiosity.

Mrs McGrath is our Forest School leader

Stonefold Forest School is a welcoming place where there are opportunities for all children to develop an appreciation and understanding of the wonders of our natural environment; through a process of discovery and exploration.

We believe everybody should have regular, long-term access to a woodland or natural environment which provides them with inspirational and challenging outdoor learning opportunities. Forest School offers a learner-centred approach, where children can learn through self-directed play and exploration. Children will be given the opportunity to develop their curiosity, confidence, self-esteem, creativity, empathy, communication skills, knowledge of the natural environment and ability to assess risk.

Learners will be developing lifelong skills that will be transferable through schooling and into adult hood including: developing confidence, self-esteem, creativity, empathy developing social skills through team work, communicating, discussing and reflecting.

Our Forest School takes place in a dedicated area of the school grounds, at the far end of the school playing field.

Our activities will depend on the ability and experience of participants. Examples of Forest School activities include:

Woodland management

Environmental exploration

Nature exploration

Building dens and other structures

Fires and cooking

Games and invitations for imaginative play and discovery

Natural crafts

Using tools, such as knives and saws

Scavenger hunts and adventure

Seasonal celebrations

Creative storytelling

The Forest School mantra is “there is no such thing as bad weather, only inappropriate clothing.” Different weather conditions offer different learning experiences. Forest School goes ahead in most weather so please ensure your child is dressed appropriately. We recommend a minimum of:

• Long sleeved top
• Full-length trousers
• Wellies or walking boots (These will stay in school for the academic year)
• Extra pair of socks
• Coat
• During the colder months, extra layers should be worn such as a fleece, leggings, hats, gloves etc.
• During the summer, a sunhat and sunscreen should be applied. Long sleeves and full-length trousers are required to protect arms and legs.

Please contact school if you need any assistance with appropriate clothing

Keeping children safe is of utmost importance and even the weather has been risk assessed! The weather forecast will be checked and a site assessment will be carried out before each session. Forest School will not go ahead if the weather poses a risk, such as high winds, extreme temperatures and lightening storms.

Please note:

– Reception children will attend school in their forest school clothing and put on waterproofs.

All outdoor clothing worn, including coats and footwear, must be clearly labelled with your child’s name and class. Due to the nature of these sessions, clothing will get wet and muddy. Therefore, it is important that you provide old clothes that you do not mind getting dirty or stained.

As a school, we have a class set of waterproof coats and trousers for every child to wear and use for their session. Alternatively, you can provide your own waterproofs but this is not compulsory.

We love helpers at Forest School and have had mums, dads, grandmas, grandpas, aunties and uncles come along and join in our sessions – this is great as we like to have a high ratio of adults to children during forest school!

If you are available to help with any of the forest school sessions, please contact the school office detailing times you are free.

We look after our Forest School

We stay within the boundaries

We follow the Soar at Stonefold Rules

Forest School will be cancelled if the Level 3 Forest School Leader is absent.

The sessions will also be cancelled in extreme weather conditions, i.e. thunder and lightning and high winds (Beaufort Scale 5 and above), extreme and prolonged low temperatures.

The sessions take place during school time and therefore if a last minute cancellation is made the children will continue with their normal classroom routine.
In the event that it is known that the session will be cancelled parents and children will be notified about this in advance. Contact will be made via the school office through the usual channels and an update above the timetable on this Forest School page.