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Forest School
The Forest School Association defines Forest School as “an inspirational process that offers ALL learners regular opportunities to achieve and develop confidence and self-esteem through hands on learning experiences in a woodland or natural environment with trees.” (Forest School Association 2020).
At St Oswald’s, Forest School provides learning opportunities for children to flourish through practical activities in the outdoor environment. Children enjoy the freedom to explore and experience the natural world, in all seasons and weathers. All learners are at the heart of everything that we do, and learning is initiated by the child. Forest School creates a world where children are believed to be competent to choose and drive their own learning and development at a pace which is appropriate and meaningful to them. It embraces an approach of nurturing, supporting, inspiring, and developing the self-esteem of the children. It is an ideal environment in which to develop innovation, problem solving, risk-taking, creativity and teamwork. As the children learn about the natural world and how to look after it, Forest School also promotes environmental awareness enabling the children to build a strong, positive relationship with their natural world helping them to make sense of the wider world.
Our Location
Most Forest School will be held within our Forest School site, sometimes we will use the school field. Occasionally we may visit Nell bank.
The learner-centred approach to Forest School creates a whole-school community where risk taking it encouraged; children learn through scaffolded tasks following careful observation, and the natural world is at the heart of the curriculum. Forest School aims to promote the holistic development of all those involved, fostering resilient, confident, independent and creative learners through cultivation of their physical, social, cognitive, linguistic, emotional, social and spiritual aspects of learning. All children receive Forest School sessions with a fully qualified instructor which links to classroom and home learning.