FOREST SCHOOL
At Outwoods Primary School, we are continually looking for ways to inspire and engage our children in their learning particularly using the outdoor environment. Making the most of our enviable grounds, we are currently in the process of training three Level 3 accredited Forest School leaders: Mrs Ashworth, Miss O'Connor and Mr Frost. This exciting enhancement of what our school has to offer is being funded through the Sports Premium.
Once fully accredited, the leaders will regularly take groups into our woodland environment and all year groups will get the opportunity to participate for a block of learning throughout the academic year. In addition, we also plan to start running Forest Schools clubs.
The pictures below show the area in school that we are developing as our Forest School area.
Would you like to be part of our community project?
Click here to find out more about the exciting project in school. We will soon be announcing another opportunity to volunteer, so that we can develop another area in school; keep your eyes peeled.
A huge thank you to all of the volunteers who supported our community project on Sunday 6th March. Pupils, past and present, parents, grandparents, community representatives and a local volunteering group all contributed to the project.
BEFORE
OUR VOLUNTEERS IN ACTION
Why do we want to become forest school trained?
Research now backs up what forest school practitioners have known all along – that children and young people are stimulated by the outdoors and typically experience, over time, an increase in their self-belief, confidence, learning capacity, enthusiasm, communication and problem-solving skills and emotional well-being.
Forest School sets learning in a different context for children where they can undertake a range of practical activities and carry out small achievable tasks. Children can develop their team working skills and learn to become more independent. Those who are unfamiliar with woodlands and green spaces can become confident in using them and this can form the basis of a life-long relationship with natural spaces.
The pandemic has also emphasised the need to offer outdoor learning opportunities. Both children and staff are still affected by the lockdown and the periods away from school. There was little opportunity for children to socialise and with research showing disadvantaged families having limited access to outdoor space, is concerning.
What benefits will my child get from participating in Forest School?
Forest School supports the holistic development of the child:
Health and fitness – Being active in an outdoor, natural environment
Increased emotional wellbeing – just being among trees has been shown to have a real and positive effect
Social development – Communicating, sharing, negotiating and problem-solving
Increased confidence– skills gained that can be used back in the classroom
Skills development – Developing fine and gross motor skills and coordination for real purposes
Gaining knowledge and understanding – Multi–sensory, real-life learning, learning to care for our green spaces and wildlife
Individualised learning – Careful observation allows adults to tailor support to children’s own interests and stage of development
Curriculum Links – Forest School supports many areas of the Early Years Foundation Stage Curriculum and the National Curriculum
We will keep you updated with exciting developments of our Forest School journey.