Forest Schools is a powerful and unique approach to outdoor play and learning building self esteem and independence through exploring and experiencing the Natural World in a multi-sensory way. Forest School Leaders facilitate a range of activities that are engaging, challenging and achievable in a woodland area.

Forest School allows individuals the time and space to develop new skills, interests and understanding through practical, hands on experiences with a holistic approach. It promotes healthy motivation and enables individuals to fulfil their own goals. It permits staff to take a step back and observe the children in order to then heighten, enhance and inspire them to achieve through careful scaffolding and facilitating. This can then be extended into the classroom by bringing outdoor learning experiences in.

At Holly Grove we are lucky to have an area in our school grounds that is dedicated to Forest School and the Eco Team. Our Forest School Programme is tailored to meet the needs of individuals within our school and will be continuously developed as the children grow in confidence, skills and understanding.

What a session might entail:

• Sessions start with a group discussion around the fire circle including the rules of the day.
• Team bonding through a game.
• A new skill such as fire lighting, or using tools are taught.
• Snack.
• Putting their skills to use.
• Reflection of the session.

The forest school area has been developed over the years . Mr Evans and his dedicated team of workers have zoned sections for us to work within as well as grow wild flowers to encourage a natural habitat. Mrs O’ Hare and Miss Mantle extended the fire circle area with logs from the trees cut down within our school grounds. This has enabled us to offer forest school to larger groups of pupils.

Wellies on, hats on, gloves on and off we go. Forest school on our own school grounds.