Forest School alternative provision

“Today I did Forest School and it was the best day ever. My favourite thing was making a den”
Year 6 pupil.
What is Forest School?
Forest School is happy, healthy learning in a natural setting. Forest School promotes success and achievement through personalised learning in an inclusive outdoor classroom. It offers opportunities for individuals to flourish and for their true potential to shine through with a focus on well-being, emotional development, social interaction and practical skills. It promotes success and achievement through child-led learning in a natural environment where all children can succeed.
Forest School is led by trained Forest School Practitioners who are committed to delivering a high quality programme, putting into practise their knowledge of pedagogy, education and practical skills.
Our provision
Our Forest School provision is aimed at children who are unable to fully access mainstream education and/or need a complementary learning method. It takes place in a natural area where learning is child-led. Specifically, sessions follow childrens’ interests. As a result, the whole learning experience is tailored to the student. Furthermore, successes at Forest school are measured by outcome. This makes Forest School a safe, pressure free place to learn. Risky activities such as campfire cooking and tool use are integral Forest School. As such, children learn to manage their own risk with confidence. Trained Forest School Leaders run sessions and use observations to inform planning. These are also used to write the programme evaluation.

To ensure best practise we follow the Forest School principles
FS is a long-term process of regular sessions
FS takes place in a woodland or natural environment
FS is child led
FS aims to promote the holistic development
FS offers learners the opportunity to take supported risks
FS is run by qualified Forest School practitioners