A CARE FOUNDATION TRUST SCHOOL
 
Forest School

Forest School

Forest School

All of our children have the opportunity to take part in part in Forest School each year. Our dedicated Forest School practitioner, Miss Dengate, works with class teachers to weave areas of the curriculum into the Forest School sessions whilst not detracting from the freedom and child-centred approach. 

The guiding principles of Forest School are:

  1. Forest School is a long-term process of frequent and regular sessions in a woodland or natural environment, rather than a one-off visit. Planning, adaptation, observations and reviewing are integral elements of Forest School.

  2. Forest School takes place in a woodland or natural wooded environment to support the development of a relationship between the learner and the natural world.

  3. Forest School aims to promote the holistic development of all those involved, fostering resilient, confident, independent and creative learners

  4. Forest School offers learners the opportunity to take supported risks appropriate to the environment and to themselves.

  5. Forest School uses a range of learner-centred processes to create a community for development and learning

At Mersham Primary School we also use Forest School as a therapeutic intervention for pupils who demonstrate a need for it.