Forest School
at
Whiteshill Primary School
Whiteshill Primary School is pleased to be able to offer its Reception aged children (and Year 1 children from September 2007) access to the Forest School education system.
History
Forest Schools originated in Scandinavia in the 1950s as a way of teaching about the natural world. By the 1980s it became an integral part of the Danish early years programme.
In 1995 a group of Nursery Nursing students visiting Denmark witnessed the benefits of Forest School for themselves and brought the idea back to the Uk. Since then the idea has grown and Forest Schools are spreading throughout England and Wales. Whilst Forest Schools are well established in Wales, Worcestershire and Somerset, Gloucestershire has only recently developed its interest in this area. Whiteshill School are proud to be one of the first schools in Gloucestershire offering a Forest School programme.
What happens at Forest School
The children are taken to a local woodland once a week for an afternoon of activities. This happens throughout the school year (other than on days when there are high winds or lightning - for safety reasons).
Natural resources found in the woods are used to develop the children's knowledge, understanding and appreciation of the natural world. Discovery based activities support work taking place back in the classroom and each child's development. Activities range from nature hunts, constructing shelters, artwork, observation and listening games, through to use of hand tools and cooking on a campfire. Most importantly children are often free to choose activities, which allows them to:
-
Learn at their own pace
-
Persue interests
-
Develop communication and negotiation skills with their peers.
Benefits of Forest School
Research in Scandinavia and the United Kingdom has demonstrated positive improvements from children undertaking Forest School programmes in the following areas:
- Self confidence
- Empathy with others
- Communication skills
- Physical strength and coordination
- Knowledge and understanding of the world
- A positive attitude towards learning.
The children also have a lot of fun at Forest School!
Click here to view further pictures from our Forest School.
What will my child need to bring to Forest School?
Click here to see more pictures from Forest School