The philosophy of Forest Schools is to encourage and inspire individuals of any age through an innovative, long term, educational approach to outdoor play and learning in a woodland environment.

Forest School has a child-centered approach; the activities offered reflect the needs and development of the particular children we are working with. The activities are only a starting point and children may choose to take activities in a different direction from the one intended. It is the Forest School Practitioner’s role to be prepared for this and to be adaptable enough to develop children’s learning in the most appropriate way. Effective observation and evaluation, therefore, are vital to plan for future sessions and to inform which activities are offered.

Sessions will involve children participating in activities that are designed around the needs of the group, ensuring that they are learner-led. Sessions are designed around a theme.  The themes are sometimes subtle such as evolving or exploring the site or more obvious such as Romans, butterflies, spies, fairies or nature investigators, for example.

The sessions are planned within the capabilities of every person within the group (small achievable tasks). Teamwork skills are developed through games and activities. Individual skills and self-esteem are heightened throughout activities such as hide and seek, shelter building, tool skills, lighting fires or environmental art; the list is endless. Each activity develops intra and inter-personal skills as well as practical and intellectual skills.