Forest school & nurture

Forest School is a unique educational experience and process beneficial for all but especially useful in supporting children experiencing anxiety, disruptive classroom behaviour, challenges at home or a lack of stability in their lives. It offers children a chance to succeed, develop confidence and self-esteem through hands-on learning.  Engaging with the natural environment helps build ‘soft skills’ that support social and emotional development and can help children settle better once returning to class. Children realise their own interests and have the opportunity to explore them over an extended period of time. Sessions take part in all weathers, through all season. Children can explore the setting whilst learning to use tools, participating in risky play, games, creative activities and learn survival skills in fire, food and shelter. Children learn holistically and begin to understand the boundaries of behaviour, both physically and socially. Sessions are offered in small group sizes or on a 1:1 basis.

Six Principles of Forest School

  • Long term process

    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.

  • Location

    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.

  • Holistic development

    Forest School aims to promote the holistic development of all those involved, fostering resilient, confident, independent and creative learners.

  • Taking risks

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

  • Qualified practitioners

    Forest School is run by qualified Forest School practitioners who continuously maintain and develop their professional practice.

  • Learner centred process

    Forest School uses a range of learner-centred processes to create a community for development and learning.