Forest School
We are blessed on both our Longdon and Lichfield sites to be able to offer Forest School. Pupils gain so much from the Forest School programme and it goes far further than simply providing a blast of fresh air.
Forest School is an inspirational process that offers learners opportunities to develop confidence and self-esteem through hands-on learning experiences in the natural environment. It is a specialised learning approach that sits within and compliments the wider context of outdoor and woodland education.
At Forest School all participants are viewed as equal, unique and valuable; competent to explore and discover; and entitled to:
• experience appropriate risk and challenge
• choose, and to initiate and drive, their own learning and development
• experience regular success
• develop positive relationships with themselves and other people
• develop a strong, positive relationship with the natural world.
The principles of Forest School sit in harmony with our School mission which values faith, service, learning and leadership underpinned by a number of essential attributes including responsibility, resourcefulness and resilience. Pupils are encouraged to be respectful of the environment and in awe of God’s world and also to manage risks, the latter being of key importance as a life skill in our ever-changing world.
Children experience the natural world through motivating and achievable practical activities aimed at stimulating creative thinking, problem-solving and skill development. Forest School builds on a child’s innate motivation and positive attitude to learning, offering them the opportunities to take risks, make choices and initiate learning for themselves. And, who could resist hot chocolate around a campfire in the winter?
Pupils enjoy Forest School lessons from Pre-school to Year 9 delivered by a qualified Forest School leader. Each year group has a term of activities tailored to their age range and interests. This may include den building, woodland crafts, knife work, art, poetry, fire-lighting and cooking. Sessions can also link to other subjects as appropriate – for example, Year 6 constructed a wattle and daub hurdle to tie in with their History topic of the Tudors and Year 1 built stick houses for little pigs to link with their Traditional Tales topic. There is considerable emphasis for all year groups on creativity and simply ‘being’ and enjoying nature.
