BPS Forest School

Forest School at BPS aims to promote holistic development of each child that visits our forest school. Forest school can help to develop resilient, confident, independent and creative learners. We think it is important to encourage nature awareness and respect for the world that we live in.

We are extremely fortunate to have our own wonderful woodland area, sandwiched between the school field and the beautiful River Severn.

Every child from Nursery until Year Two spends a session each week engaged in Forest School – whatever the weather (the only exceptions being instances of high winds or thunder and lightning).

 

What clothing should your child wear to Forest School?

At Forest school, we recommend that your child comes in a puddle suit as it can get very muddy in forest school. If you don’t have one, it is important that your child comes in long-sleeved tops and long trousers to prevent scratches and nettle stings. Your child will need to wear sturdy footwear such as Wellington boots or walking boots, as it can get very muddy when it rains. During the winter, extra layers, hats and gloves are important to keep warm. In summer, the children will need a sunhat, sunscreen, long sleeves and trousers to prevent scratches and nettle stings as it gets rather overgrown during the summer months.

 

What will your child be doing in forest school?

At the start of the session, your child will get ready in the correct clothing for forest school and walk to our site at the bottom of the field. We then sit around the fire circle and go through the forest school rules. These are: No running, No picking plants, No licking, No going under or over the ropes and Drag your sticks, (the extra one in the summer is to be wary of nettles).

 Each week, we plan a different activity. Normally, this is to do with the child's topic that they are studying in their class or a nature activity. These include craft, using map skills, building dens, working in a team, problem-solving, learning about nature, scavenger hunts, bug hunting, reading/looking through wildlife books, taking managed risks like climbing trees and exploring the site. Forest school can inspire children to want to learn new things about nature and the wildlife, so sometimes, if a child has a certain interest, we adapt the activities around that too. We aim to have a fire at least once a term where the children get to roast marshmallows and/ or have a hot chocolate around the fire. At the end of a session, it is a chance for the children to discuss what discoveries they have made or any things they have achieved during the session.

 

Who will lead forest school?

Mrs L. Kett is the forest school leader. She is fully trained in Level 3 Forest school training. The class teacher and teaching assistants also come and help during a forest school session.

What are the benefits of Forest school?

There are so many benefits to forest school. The main parts of forest school that are beneficial are that it keeps children fit and healthy by being active outdoors and connecting with nature. It can help with the emotional wellbeing of the child as being exposed to nature can be a relaxing and enjoyable experience. A child's social skills can develop while being at forest school as it gives the children a chance to interact with their peers. Forest school can help with their gross and fine motor skills by climbing trees and doing intricate craft activities. Forest school can help the child become more knowledgeable and gain an understanding of the world around them.