Forest School

The Forest School concept originates in Denmark, originally aimed at pre-school children, where it was found that children who attended Forest School then arrived at primary school with strong social skills, having the ability to work in groups effectively, generally had higher self-esteem and a confidence in their own abilities. These foundations helped them to raise their academic achievement.

Forest School is a unique educational experience and process that offers children the opportunity to succeed and develop confidence and self-esteem through hands on learning, experienced in a woodland environment.  In Forest School, children engage in motivating and achievable tasks and activities throughout the year and in almost all weathers.

Children learn to risk assess their own activities, play, create, work with tools, plant seeds and care for plants, make fire and cook outside whilst learning boundaries of behaviour; both physical and social, grow in confidence, self-esteem and motivation, whilst developing an understanding of the natural world.

At Longwell Green School, we really value the personal development that Forest School offers and we therefore provide two terms of Forest School every year from Years 1-6 and weekly sessions for EYFS children.  The children visit the forest in small groups and will require the correct equipment: a water proof coat, water proof trousers and a pair of wellies. The wellies can remain in school all year round and everything should be clearly labelled. We definitely will get muddy!