Forest School

What is Forest School?

Forest Schools are a type of outdoor education in which children visit forests/woodlands, learning personal, social and technical skills. At Lingham Primary and Nursery School we are proud to offer our children a fantastic Forest School experience, within our own school grounds. We understand the huge benefits of Forest School and have developed a superb area, within the school grounds, in which to deliver a high quality programme, of Forest School activities.

“Forest School is an inspirational process, which offers ALL learners regular opportunities to achieve and develop confidence and self-esteem, through hands-on learning experiences in a woodland or natural environment with trees. Forest School is a specialised learning approach that sits within and compliments the wider context of outdoor and woodland education.” Forest School Association.

How do we keep the children safe?

Our forest school leader is fully qualified and at least one member of staff is qualified in first aid. The sites being used have been carefully assessed and our children are given detailed training for all of the activities.

Part of forest school is teaching children about risks and how to evaluate them. The children will be taught about how to add fuel to a fire, cook and make drinks using a fire, climb trees and use tools. These activities will be introduced as the children in the group are ready for them and will be carefully supervised by an adult. By allowing children to take these measured risks, we help to prepare them for making choices when they are older and teach them to be actively responsible for themselves, their choices and actions.

Appropriate clothing required for Forest School:

• old jogging bottoms/trousers (not jeans)

• old jumper

• Hat

• Gloves

• Waterproof jacket and ideally waterproof trousers

• Wellies or Old trainers with thick socks