Forest Schools
Forest Schools
Pupils who would have benefitted from input in the learning centre will be involved in Forest Schools
The focus for pupils will be teamwork, self-esteem, relationship building and communication- the Social and Emotional development that is at the heart of the learning centre approach
The idea behind Forest Schools at St. Cadoc’s is to provide a new and different environment for learning.
Input will last 1-3 terms, and will be appropriate to pupil needs. Each child’s need will be assessed at the end of each term to identify how we go forward
Forest Schools: Principles and Ethos
Is based on the observations and collaborative work between learners and practitioners
A learner centred pedagogical approach: includes play and choice, is responsive to needs and interests and the disposition of each learner
By design, Forest Schools looks to develop the whole child - Creative, Physical, Social and Emotional, Communication, Knowledge and Understanding, Cognitive/Problem Solving skills
Principles and Ethos Follows a risk-benefit
process Detailed risk assessments
and dynamic risk assessments
Aims to foster a relationship with nature through personal experiences to develop environmentally sustainable attitudes and practices
What might it look like? A short clip
What activities will we be doing?Term 2: Finding a
comfortable/happy place in the outdoors
Geocaching (hunting) Making picture frames Use, gardening and
upkeep of outdoor learning area
Identify and design a learning area and den
Our activitiesTerm 3 Burn guddling/ mini
beast hunts Geocache hunting,
creating, monitoring and maintaining
Create mini dens, rain and wind shelters
Making a tree swing
Our activitiesTerm 4: Building and sailing
boats Making tree
tightropes Geocache
maintaining Making and building
a bench for the learning areas
Social Emotional development Forest Schools will be a
means of delivering the Learning Centre – it is about social and emotional development, not mathematics and literacy
Bounce Back programme will provide a regular circle time approach whilst in the forest