What is Outdoor Learning?

Outdoor Learning and Forest School provide opportunities for your child to experience nature and the outdoor environment in a safe, secure and hands-on way. Our ’forest’ is a small woodland on the school site. The camp contains: a seating area, a digging area, a mud kitchen and space to den build.  There are a mixture of trees including: oak, silver birch, ash, holly, hazel, apple, field maple and hawthorn. There is a bug hotel to attract insects and small mammals. The children are encouraged to investigate and explore but also to respect all living things. 

The children will have opportunities with one-to-one supervision (when necessary), to learn simple bush crafts.  Children learn best from first hand experiences. Exploring, playing and learning using a range of activities (both designed by the leader and instigated by the children themselves); this is what Forest School is all about.  Building a sense of independence, high self-esteem and teamwork are important parts of Forest School, but health and safety considerations are always of paramount importance. Sessions will be linked into our curriculum topics, providing the children with some hands-on opportunities to enhance their personal learning styles and experiences.

Clothing: Suitable clothing is a must. Children should come to school on their Forest School days in their PE kits but will also need joggers, waterproofs and wellies to protect their legs and prepare them for, ‘Whatever the weather,’ Outdoor Learning. Only heavy, continuous rain and/or unsafe strong winds cause cancellation. The weather is very changeable at this time of year, often with more wet days than dry. 

Waterproofs: are really important as we sit down on wet surfaces in the woodland. 

Sun Cream: Sun cream should also be applied before school if the weather is hot.