At Walford Nursery & Primary School, we are extremely fortunate to have two qualified Forest School Leaders - Miss Self (Class R) and Mrs Jones (PPA Cover Teacher) that ensure all children experience Forest School education during their time at Walford.  Our own Forest School offers an excellent learning space for children to develop the five key areas of Forest School as well as providing opportunities for each individual to grow in confidence, self-esteem and resilience. It promotes learning and development for all ages and abilities and its ethos is fully inclusive.  The natural environment provides stimulus for all senses, all areas of development and all learning styles.

INTENT

Forest School provides a long term, repetitive learning process that uses a natural outdoor space.  It is a specific ethos of learning that focuses on processes rather than products and allows learners time and space to develop at their own rate.  Learners develop a strong sense of space through repeated contact with the natural world (ideally woodland but not always) in all weathers throughout the year.

At Walford Nursery & Primary School, pupils will have the opportunity to develop knowledge and skills in the following five key areas:

• Tying knots
• Connecting and identifying with nature – allowing learners to observe real life, witness cause and effect and consider our roles and responsibilities towards the environment
• Tool use
• Fire
• Teamwork

IMPLEMENTATION

What does our Forest School look like?

Please refer to:

• our Forest School Learning Journey, which demonstrates the progression of key knowledge and skills within the whole school Forest School offer;
• our Medium Term Plan for each year group, which maps teaching and learning, knowledge and skills through the topic of Forest School;

IMPACT

Our Forest School facilitates sequential learning and long-term progression of the five key areas of knowledge and skills. The sessions will empower the children and young people at Walford to take responsibility for their own learning and development, following a child-led and learning through play approach.   The freedom of choice increases enjoyment and encourages participation and motivation.  Children will be set up to achieve and are supported to feel confident to take appropriate risks through developing trust in themselves and others.

Forest School sessions will also encourage emotional growth, self esteem, confidence and independence.  The ‘Sit Spot’ and ‘Mindfulness’ activities gives learners time and space to be by themselves, find peace and communicate with others in a safe caring environment, promoting positive mental wellbeing.