Forest School
Our ethos for Forest School is based on the principles from the Forest School Association:
“Forest School is a long-term process of frequent and regular sessions in a woodland or natural environment, rather than a one-off visit. Planning, adaptation, observations and reviewing are integral elements of Forest School. Forest School takes place in a woodland or natural wooded environment to support the development of a relationship between the learner and the natural world. Forest School aims to promote the holistic development of all those involved, fostering resilient, confident, independent and creative learners. Forest School offers learners the opportunity to take supported risks appropriate to the environment and to themselves. Forest School is run by qualified Forest School practitioners who continuously maintain and develop their professional practice. Forest School uses a range of learner-centred processes to create a community for development and learning.”
http://www.forestschoolassociation.org/full-principles-and-criteria-for-good-practice/
At Clapham and Patching CofE Primary School, we want our learners to have the opportunity to gain confidence in themselves in the outside world by taking managed risks and working together.
We hope to encourage them to:
- develop personal and social skills
- work through practical problems and challenges
- persevere even when its hard
- learn how to manage failures
- develop practical skills and use tools safely
- reflect upon what they’ve achieved
- build confidence through success
- improve gross motor skills
- use tools to manipulate and create
- develop their language and communication skills
- build confidence in decision making and evaluating risk
- improve their concentration skills
We are extremely lucky here at Clapham and Patching CofE Primary School to have such a Forest School area within our grounds and also wonderful woods just up the lane.
