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