What does Forest School mean to me?
It means taking a step back from a formal learning setting and stripping it back to basics. It allows for learning and exploration to occur naturally, as well as letting curiosity and questions take the lead. It allows for play to take centre stage and lets children follow their interests. This freedom creates an amazing setting for learners to grow socially, emotionally and spiritually.
What do the Forest School Association (FSA) define Forest School as?
‘A form of outdoor education, which has an inspirational and participant-centred learning process at its core. This offers opportunities for holistic growth through regular sessions. It is a long-term programme that supports play, development, exploration and risk-taking. It increases confidence and self-esteem through participant-centred, hands-on experiences in a natural setting.’
Forest School has six core principles to accompany this:
Long-term:
Sessions should be regular and enable progression of learning, ideally weekly and with the same group of participants.
Nature:
Sessions should take place in a woodland to enable the development of a lifelong relationship between the participants and the natural world.
Leadership:
Forest School is led by Level 3 qualified Forest School leaders who also must have a valid 16-hour first aid.
Holistic Learning:
Forest School aim to develop all aspects of a participant, not just physical skills or emotional skills.
Risk:
Sessions follow a risk-benefit process with the leader and participant. It allows opportunities to take managed risks.
Community:
Forest Schools approach is very much participant-centred, this allows for learning and development of many skills.
These principles must be met in order to effectively deliver a Forest School.
So, what happens in a Forest School Session?
As you have probably guessed by now, this is quite hard to say as it is a participant-centred process. However, there are a few things you should see in most sessions!
There should always be a structured beginning and end to the session to allow participants to feel safe and settled. There is always an element of free play, it’s the most natural way to learn. The use of tools is gradually introduced, and participants can build up a progression of skills throughout the sessions.
Exploration and curiosity are key, it is great for both participants and leaders to ask questions, extend their learning and find out new things together! Participants are also encouraged to take supported risk and learn how to manage risks. Connecting with nature and caring for nature is an important part of Forest School sessions, in order to build the connection to a lifelong relationship with the natural world. Forest school should always aim to be fun, because let’s be honest, we learn better when we are having fun!
Busting the myths!
It is not…
A badge, a short-term course, a way to teach the curriculum outdoors or just playing in the woods!
I hope this has helped to give you a further understanding of what a Forest School is. We can’t wait to welcome you into the world of forest schools at our sessions.