Forest Schools originated in Scandinavia in the 1950s and was introduced to the UK in the 1990s, and has grown since then. It aims to be an inspirational process that offers children and others regular opportunities to achieve, develop confidence and self-esteem through hands-on learning experiences in a local woodland environment.
Mrs Lee is a Level 3 trained Forest School Leader at Hadleigh Community Primary School and has recently had the opportunity to visit Forest Schools in Sweden. Forest School sessions take place daily for our Nursery children throughout the year in the woodland on the school grounds. We now have our very own building in our woods where the nursery children can meet each day and get ready before their Forest School sessions. Visits to larger local woodlands will also take place throughout the year. Sessions take place in all weathers so children can experience the seasons.
During a Forest School session children have the opportunity to play and to lead and initiate their own ideas and activities. The children are involved in ‘risky play’ through climbing trees, ropes and ladders, using tools and having fires. However, they learn how to assess risks and take reasonable and appropriate risks. The children have fun whilst developing holistically, including their emotional and spiritual aspects of learning where confidence and self-esteem can grow. They also learn to understand, appreciate and care for the natural environment. Our sessions take place all year so the children gain an awareness of the seasons and changes that happen in the natural world.
Within Reception and Year 1 children, visits to our woodland take place every few weeks where the children are involved in outdoor learning, based on the Forest School ethos. Older children within the school have the opportunity to experience activities at school camp and at an after-school club.