Forest School at Stourfield Infant School

Our Vision and commitment

At Stourfield Infant School we believe in educating the whole child, providing exciting opportunities both inside and outside the classroom. As part of this we encourage our children to explore, discover and question through a range of exciting learning opportunities.

 

 

Forest School is a unique method of outdoor education that allows children to develop confidence, independence, self-esteem, awareness and knowledge of the natural environment. Alongside these many benefits, outdoor learning is proven to promote the development of good mental health.

 

This is fully supported by the Twynham Learning’s statement of intent, providing a ‘holistic offer to promote confidence, oracy, open mindedness and creative thinking; shaping children’s ability to address challenges and be prepared for their future pathway.’.

 

 

What is Forest School?

 

Forest School is a child-centred inspirational learning process, that offers opportunities for holistic growth through regular sessions. It is a long-term program that supports play, exploration and supported risk taking. It develops confidence and self-esteem through learner inspired, hands-on experiences in a natural setting. Its roots reach back to the open-air culture, friluftsliv, or free air life, seen as a way of life in Scandinavia where Forest School began. It arrived in the UK in 1993 and has grown from strength to strength since then.

 

A Forest School program has a structure which is based on observations and collaborative work between learners and practitioners. This structure should clearly demonstrate progression of learning.

 

Forest School is defined by 6 core principles, which were agreed by the Forest School community in 2011.

 

The fundamental aims laid out by Forest School are:

• To provide children with experiences that encourage an appreciation, awareness, and knowledge of the natural environment.
• To learn to respect and care for their own local environment.
• To abide by rules and a set standard of behaviour, to work cooperatively in groups and to respect each other.
• To develop children’s self-esteem and self-confidence.

Forest School At Stourfield Infants

 

For 2024-2025, we have launched out Forest School provision. It is our commitment that all children at Stourfield Infants experience the awe and wonder of exploring the great outdoors in a fun and exciting way that offer a host of life-long benefits. Each child will take part in ‘Forest Fridays’ for 2 half terms per year. By offering two half terms, children get to experience outdoors in different seasons.

 

Forest School at Stourfield Infants is led by Mr Melcalf, a qualified Forest School Instructor through the Forst School Association, and supported by the class teachers and teaching assistants. Sessions take place on the Junior field and outdoor classroom.

 

Forest School Fridays include links to the curriculum and many sessions are planned to enhance the children’s learning, bringing awe and wonder into the classroom, as well as the great outdoors. Our core aim is to remind children that even within this ever-changing, modern world that we live in, we are linked to the natural world around us and it is this knowledge and understanding that will enable children to be active citizens in their future. Children’s feedback already is that they love it!

 

Our program for 2024-2025 is:

 

Term	Year Group
Autumn 1	Year 1
Autumn 2	Year 2
Spring 1	Reception
Spring 2	Year 1
Summer 1	Reception
Summer 2	Year 2

 

What to wear

 

Forest School is an all weather, all seasons adventure! Children need to bring waterproofs and wellies for their sessions. These need to be labelled. They can either stay at school or go home each week.