What is Forest Schools
So what is Forest Schools? Forest Schools is a programme that runs
over a minimum of six weeks, but it is of the greatest gain and
personal benefit to do the programme for the entire year
(Forest Skills, 2012). It is a programme that is run outside in the
natural world, generally with lots of trees although it is said that
you only need one tree (Warden, 2013).
Forest Schools take the child and puts them at the centre of their
own learning, they are placed in the heart of their learning so they
can take the lead in their own learning (The Forest School Training
Company Ltd, n/d; MoE, 1996).
Forest schools have high staff: children ratio's (The Forest School Training Company Ltd, n/d). This is so their is a small group of children to the staff,
therefore there is more one on one time to each child, which means they feel valued and like they belong (MoE, 1996).
In week one of the programme, Forest schools helps the learners to begin to explore their senses; including sight, sound and touch. The children take
part in assessing risks and identifying hazards in the natural world around them. They learners start to explore their new uneven terrain(Blackwell & Pound, 2011).
In week three of the programme, the learners are getting familiar with the uneven terrain and it is no longer a threat to their balance, as they are now
getting very familiar around the trees. The children's individual interests are developing and as they build and make huts, the children are developing
their problem solving skills (Blackwell & Pound, 2011).
It is a Kinaesthetic way of learning: hands on.