Forest School
Forest School is an inspirational nature-based opportunity, that allows all children to achieve and develop confidence and self-esteem through hands-on learning experiences in a woodland setting. Well-being is the foundation of our Forest School practice as we recognise the social, emotional and physical needs of our children. Creating learner inspired experiences based on exploration and discovery allows us to mentor the children’s holistic growth. We nurture collaboration and embrace challenge so that we can encourage and support the blossoming of character, resilience and empathy.
Managed and responsible risk-taking and challenges are encouraged at Forest School to promote confidence, coupled with the development of trusting relationships with an emphasis on partnerships in learning not teaching. Forest School builds on a child’s innate motivation and positive attitude to learning, offering them the opportunities to take managed risks, make choices and initiate hands on learning for themselves. For many children, outdoors is their preferred environment. The physical activity and development use all of their senses and can stimulate the brain and intellect. Forest School fosters independence with more opportunities to play, learn and develop away from a prescribed and adult-led curriculum, it compensates for the modern restrictions that children may suffer and enhances their childhood experiences, enabling our children to be healthy and achieve well-being.
We are extremely proud of our Forest School sessions here at John Wesley, and the children eagerly await their time in the woods together. These sessions are accessible to all children during their time at the school and are delivered by a Level 3 qualified Forest School leader.
The sessions are timetabled so that during their time at John Wesley, the children get to take woodland adventures throughout the seasons and in all weathers with the exception of high winds and thunder storms.
To give our wonderful woodland setting an ecological break in Term 3 & 4, all our sessions are on the school site. They will be a combination of outdoor Forest School activities (weather permitting) and an indoor eco/sustainability project to promote our awareness of Global Warming.
Please check the Met Office weather forecast and ensure that your child has the correct clothing for each session:
- A long -sleeved top.
- Long trousers such as track suit bottoms.
- A fleece jumper or hoodie. Layers are ideal for temperature regulation.
- Wellington boots that can get scratched and muddy.
- A warm and waterproof coat and over-trousers for wet weather sessions.
- A full set of dry clothing (including underwear). to get changed into after their session
These can be old clothes as we do not intend to stay clean or dry! Please do not feel that you need to buy any new or specialist clothing for these sessions. The children will come to school in their Forest School clothing and be given the opportunity to change at school into their clean dry kit after their outdoor sessions. This clothing is ESSENTIAL PPE for your child. If you have any problems sourcing anything on the list, please do let us know and we will provide some for you.
Forest School Excitement
