Forest Schools are grounded in research that shows the outdoors offers a rich, hands-on learning environment that engages students in a way that traditional classrooms sometimes cannot. By exploring nature, children can develop a wide range of skills beyond just academic knowledge. The child-led approach encourages independence, problem-solving, and resilience. When children are given the freedom to guide their learning within the natural environment, they become more active participants in their education, which can lead to deeper, more meaningful connections to what they’re learning.
Forest School Sessions – What to Expect
Each class will have the opportunity to visit Forest School for 6 weeks throughout the school year. These outdoor sessions will take place in all weather conditions, so it’s essential that children are dressed appropriately to ensure they stay comfortable and safe.
What to Bring:
- Sturdy outdoor clothing suitable for the time of year.
- Wellies or waterproof boots for muddy and wet conditions.
- Extra thick socks to wear in the colder months.
Peel Park Forest School: Nurturing Growth in Nature
At Peel Park, our Forest School sessions aim to help children further develop their social, emotional, spiritual, physical, and intellectual abilities through working and playing in the natural world. We believe that outdoor learning offers a unique opportunity for children to explore, discover, and grow in ways that are not always possible in the classroom.
Our Goals:
- Social Development: Through collaborative play and group activities, children learn to communicate, share, and work together.
- Emotional Growth: Nature encourages children to reflect, be mindful, and build emotional resilience as they face challenges and new experiences.
- Spiritual Connection: We foster a sense of wonder and respect for the natural world, helping children feel a sense of belonging to something larger than themselves.
- Physical Development: Active outdoor play strengthens physical skills like balance, coordination, and fine motor control.
- Intellectual Growth: Nature stimulates curiosity, problem-solving, and critical thinking, providing a rich environment for learning.
Safety and Independence: Our aim is to create a nurturing environment where children feel safe to explore, take risks, and push the boundaries of what they know. By offering opportunities to try new things and make choices, children will develop a sense of responsibility and confidence in themselves, becoming more independent learners.
Activities for Forest School are not only linked to the topic within class but are diverse and numerous and it should be reminded that we are trying to create independent learners who are inspired to try out their own ideas, explore their own interests and might include;
- Den Building
- Fire Lighting
- Cooking on an open fire
- Identification of Flora and Fauna
- Teambuilding
- Sensory Activities
- Tracking games
- Kelly Kettle use
- Tool use
- Woodland crafts
- Rope, sting and knots
- Exploration the natural world
- Natural art
- Sculpture Art
- Physical movement activities
