Forest School “If your emotional abilities aren’t in hand, if you don’t have self awareness, if you are not able to manage your distressing emotions, if you can’t have empathy and have effective relationships, then no matter how smart you are, you are not going to get very far”. ~ Daniel Goleman ~

“We believe that young people develop most when they are ‘learning by doing’, when they are given responsibility, work in teams, take acceptable risks and think for themselves”

What is Forest School? Forest School is 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 environments with trees.

The key features of Forest School can be identified as: • the use of a woodland setting • a high ratio of adults to pupils • learning linked to the National Curriculum and Foundation-Stage objectives • the freedom to explore using multiple senses • regular contact for the children with Forest School over a significant period of time

What makes Forest School special? It offers opportunities for development of human relationships with positive interaction between different people. Forest School is process not product led, so it’s not so much about what you learn as about how you learn it. It has a low leader:learner ratios -helps with the building of personal skills as well as in other Forest School related areas eg. Ensuring the safety of all. Intra and inter-personal societal skills are developed that are often transferable to other areas of life and learning. Forest School can provide opportunities for emotional review and generally it encourages emotional literacy (processing and sometimes learning how to vocalise the feelings that happen during sessions) It provides opportunities to grow in confidence, self esteem and independence. It fosters appreciation for and increased understanding of natural world. Learning in a multi-sensory way enables the physical and mental skills learned to be remembered.

Learning takes place in woodland or natural environment with trees..

Forest School is a long term process of regular sessions.

Forest School is inclusive. Forest School is an inclusive learning experience for all. I believe what makes this style of education work is that it plays to a child’s strengths in a meaningful context and, therefore, nobody fails.

Forest School promotes holistic development creating resilient, confident, independent and creative learners.

Forest School creates a community for development and learning.

Forest School offers learners the opportunity to take supported risks appropriate to the environment and to themselves.

Forest School enables a connection between the learner and the natural world to develop.

Sessions are run by qualified Forest School Leaders.

The history of Forest School ▪Originated in Sweden in the 1950’s ▪Forest Schools in Denmark 1980's ▪Introduced to the UK in 1995 ▪Spread throughout the UK

Forest School sessions ▪Travel to the site ▪Health and Safety ▪Ideas and activities ▪Reviewing

Activities environment

shelter building

campfire cooking

using tools

creating

What makes Forest School different? The learner centred approach enables all round (holistic) development as well as fostering the notion that our everyday choices can affect how and what we learn. Physical activity promotes mental and physical wellbeing which can form part of a life long process. The repeated visits to a local natural environment over a range of seasons enables the participant to progressively build on skills acquisition over time, ideally with the same leader in the same setting, giving unique learning opportunities. This new and sometimes challenging learning environment enables some learners to fully realise their potential for the first time.

The 4 distinct overlapping factors are; Practitioner – Qualified Level 3 Forest School practitioner, with their own speciality and value judgements that facilitate appropriate and safe learning experiences. Learners – A group of individual learners who have unique needs, abilities and interests and are at different stages of development. Time – Regular (at least weekly) sessions of an appropriate length throughout the year (at least 1 year). Children are allowed the time to revisit, build on and consolidate learning. Space – Appropriate, secure and safe physical space, social space and emotional space. Learners are able to choose to work alone or with others. Adapted from www.norfolkesinet.orh.uk

The benefits of Forest School Research has found that the effects on children’s learning, personal development, behaviour and self- confidence are positive A Marvellous Opportunity for Children to Learn: a participatory evaluation of Forest School in England and Wales www.forestresearch.gov.uk

The impact of Forest School Confidence Social skills Communication Motivation and concentration Physical skills Knowledge and understanding New perspectives Ripple effects

Impact on school Development: Forest School can help to close the gap in attainment between disadvanteged pupils and all other pupils. 1. Confidence Forest School helps children to grow in confidence as a result of the freedom, time and space they are given in their learning. This allows them to demonstrate independence at each individual child’s rate. Social skills Activities such as sharing tools and participating in play help teach the children to work together as a group, which strengthens their bonds and social ties. Communication The sensory experiences provided by Forest School’s helps prompt language development. Improving communication skills has a positive effect on a child’s self-esteem and is a crucial part of their development. Motivation and concentration High levels of interest lead to high levels of attention. Spending time in the woodland is exciting for a child. It tends to fascinate them which develops a strong will to participate and concentrate over long periods of time. Physical skills The increase in outdoor activity is bound to have a positive physical impact. Not only does the development of physical stamina improve but also gross and fine motor skills.

Knowledge and understanding Children develop an interest in the great outdoors and respect for the environment. Encouraging children to develop a relationship with the natural world will help in protecting the environment for generations to come. New perspectives Forest School isn’t just beneficial to children it is also beneficial to teachers. Observing your class in a different setting allows you to gain a new perspective and understanding of your pupils.. Ripple effects When children really engage with Forest Schools they will take their experiences home to share with friends and family. This will often encourage families to visit their local woodlands more frequently. Levels the playing field Taking children outside of the classroom removes the pressures of academia and allows them to play to their strengths. This is beneficial to children who struggle in the classroom because there is more of an opportunity for them to learn at their own pace. Enjoyable for the children Forest Schools are fun! It is educational whilst also allowing children to play, explore and discover.  Children who participate in Forest Schools are generally observed to be happier. The fresh air, the excitement, getting mucky – it doesn’t get child friendlier than that.

Children are fascinated by nature Children are fascinated by nature. This can be observed by watching children discovering beetles, worms, making daisy chains, building dens and watching animals and birds. Children's relationship with nature has been take for granted, but recent evidence shows that this relationship is a fundamental part of development, which helps children reach their full potential. Dr William Bird, Natural Thinking 2007

NOCN Level 3 Certificate in Forest School Programme Leadership (QCF) The qualification is aimed at teachers, teaching assistants and youth workers who require the knowledge and skills to be a Forest School Leader and who will be planning and leading groups in a Forest School programme. Achievement of this qualification will give the skills and development required to plan and deliver Forest School, including organising activities and working with children and young people.   The Programme of Study: The training is a combination of face-to-face days, staggered over a period of months, and independent study. There are theoretical and practical elements to the course and the face-to-face days are held at venues with both woodland and classroom facilities.

There are five units of study. Delivery of a Forest School Programme To include leading a six session Forest School programme; observing three children and assessing the impact of Forest School on the learning and behaviour; and evaluating the Forest School sessions. Forest School Programmes and the Woodland Environment To include learning about the ecology of woodland ecosystems; identifying a range of flora and fauna; and understanding the management of woodlands as a sustainable learning environment. Learning and Development at a Forest School programme To include understanding theories of learning and their application to a Forest School programme; learning how a Forest School programme can support holistic development and learning; and understanding the impact of behaviour on learning and development at Forest School. Planning a Forest School Programme  To include learning about the ecological impact of Forest School programmes and developing a plan for the sustainable use of own Forest School area; developing policies and procedures; managing risk at Forest; and planning a six session Forest School programme. Practical Skills for a Forest School Programme To include learning to facilitate a range of woodland skills including the use of tools, making items using natural woodland materials, erecting shelters and managing campfires.

Outdoor and Paediatric First Aid Forest School Leader trainees will need to hold an appropriate First Aid qualification before leading Forest School sessions.  A 16 hour Outdoor and Paediatric First Aid course is offered enabling students to gain an appropriate First Aid qualification valid for 3 years.