Forest Schools

Our Vision: Learning through Nature

Originating in Denmark, the Forest School movement became an integral part of early years education in the 1980s. It is based on the powerful idea that young children can develop a passion for learning through the appreciation and exploration of nature.

Forest School provides a holistic learning experience through play and exploration, where children use their initiative to solve problems while learning about their environment and developing creativity and critical thinking.

Key Principles and Benefits

The Forest School ethos views challenges as opportunities for growth. While many associate risks with harm, Forest School sees risks as something for children to safely overcome, which expands their abilities and teaches them self-care and self-belief.

In addition to the known benefits of physical activity and fresh air, Forest School strongly supports children to:

• Build Confidence: Develop self-esteem and self-belief by overcoming practical challenges.

• Improve Social Skills: Learn to co-operate and communicate effectively with their peers.

• Foster Empathy: Nurture empathy and a sense of connection to nature.

• Promote Responsibility: Understand the importance of taking care of the environment.

• Boost Motivation: Be inspired by the world around them, leading to a positive attitude to learning and greater motivation.

In short, Forest School is an enriching experience that uses the natural environment to build resilience, social skills, problem-solving abilities, and a lifelong positive attitude toward learning.