Forest School

Our Forest School

Watling Street Primary School is excited to give our children the opportunity to learn in the outdoor environment. We believe that taking learning outside is good for promoting children's self-esteem, well-being, behaviour, co-operative learning and problem solving. These skills feedback positively into classroom work and other settings. 

As part of our curriculum, we offer a Forest School Programme that builds on our children’s natural instinct to learn and explore. It offers opportunities for children to make choices about their own learning, as well as taking and managing risks in an exciting and fun way. Developing these skills encourages positive attitudes and behaviour. 

Our Forest School lessons are led by the interests of our learners. Over their time in Forest School, children will enjoy such experiences as building shelters, woodland craft-work, telling stories, cooking over fires, climbing trees, hunting for mini-beasts and making mud pies. As the programme develops woodland tools are introduced to extend learning and provide new opportunities for risk management.

The Forest School concept was developed in Scandinavia, and operates on the principle that children of all ages benefit from the learning opportunities present in a woodland environment. It was found that by taking learning outdoors, whatever the weather, children become more resilient, confident and independent learners.

All children will have the opportunity to take part in Forest School each academic year 

When your child takes part in Forest School please ensure they have all of the correct kit in school on the right day - it is all for their own safety and they may not be able to take part without it.

Essential clothing items include:

• a waterproof jacket, 

• waterproof trousers or an all in one waterproof suit, 

• wellington boots, 

• hat and gloves (in the cold weather)

• sun hat and sunscreen (in the warmer weather)

If you’d like to learn more about Forest School, please use the links below:

• forestschoolassociation.org/