Forest Schools are a type of outdoor education in which children visit forests/woodlands, learning personal, social and technical skills. It has been defined as ‘an inspirational process that offers children regular opportunities to achieve and develop confidence through hands-on learning in a woodland environment.’
A forest school uses the woods and forests as a means to build independence and self-esteem in children.Topics include the natural environment, for example the role of trees in society, the complex ecosystem, recognition of specific plants and animals.
Personal skills such as teamwork and problem solving are also learnt. The woodland environment can also be used to learn about mathematics and communication.
Holly Park have been extremely fortunate to have developed a wonderful Forest School programme over the past eight years. We are now using Julia Bower and Lucy Turner from Four Seasons Forest School to continue leading Forest School at Holly Park, as part of the school’s wider enrichment programme for children in Years 1 and 5.
Lucy is a qualified primary school teacher and has worked in numerous primary schools across London, over the past 20 years. In 2017, she began her Level 3 Forest School leader training and this changed her outlook on education completely. She decided to set up Four Seasons Forest School in order to reach more children in schools, after school clubs and at holiday camps. Julia Bower, recently completed her Level 3 qualification and has a wealth of experience across both primary and secondary education. Four Seasons Forest School now works in six London schools, delivering sessions weekly to over 300 children.
Holly Park Forest School will continue to visit the woodland at Coppetts Wood local nature reserve. If you would like any further information please do not hesitate to contact fourseasonsforestschool@hotmail.com.
Here is a comment made by a year 3 parent about the benefit of Forest Schools:
“I very much believe that Forest School has increased my son’s self-belief, confidence and learning capacity. Each Monday he is excited to go to school because of the afternoon with the Forest School. Participating in practical activities and being able to carry out small achievable tasks has increased my son’s confidence as a learner – so pleased that he had a chance to benefit from Forest School. The sense of achievement that my son has after each Monday is priceless. My son is eager to learn more after attending Forest School as what he learnt there gives him a good base for further learning. Every week my son excitedly shares what he has learnt that day at Forest School. The benefits of the Forest School stretch far beyond the session. Seeing the impact the Forest School has had on my son, I wish every child had a chance to experience it.”
This is what Poplar Class think about Forest School:
‘I enjoyed making a hedgehog out of clay‘ Lam Y2
‘It was fun making a necklace out of sticks’ Zaara Y2
‘I liked walking around the forest and learning the names of different trees‘ Marc Y2
‘I liked making stick houses with my friend’ Justyn Y2
‘I enjoyed climbing the trees‘ Ella Y2