Forest Schools
Forest School is a child-centred learning process, providing learner inspired, hands-on experiences in the natural environment. It's creative and can increase a child's confidence as they problem-solve and learn to manage risks. Forest School encourages children to explore the natural environment and learn in it.
How Forest School can boost your senses?
- balance.
- co-ordination and fine motor skills.
- supports language development.
- aids independence and self-care.
- encourages self-regulation.
Forest schools help children build confidence, self-awareness, and social and teamwork skills. Over the course, children have time to connect with themselves and others, understand their inner needs and become owners of their own freedom.
Autumn Term 2023
This term year 1&2 have enjoyed exploring the Forest school gardens where we unearthed minibeasts and their homes.
We used our skills and hand tools to sharpen wooden sticks and our body parts to measure the correct size branches we needed.
The adventures continued when we discovered how we could use natures gifts to create games and to create scuptures with (our imaginations ran wild).
Year 4
Nature presents you with so much amazing science , you can't help but be fascinated. We explored and discovered the effects that the cold frost brings to the gardens the natural patterns and shapes it leaves behind on leaves, plants and water. It created curiosity and wonder for year 4.
Year 4 developed cognitive, creative & communication skills while working with rope and tarpaulin to create a den to fit the group inside. They used their long term memory to recall previous knots skills to help them support their structure.
We used our resilience skills to create a spark to light cotton wool using a flint and steel rod. Remaning in our respect position to keep us safe ,we used willow sticks to bake our toffee apples over the open fire which brought our Forest schools sessions to an end this half term.
This term we have been given an opportunity to be of part Wild things in Bestwood Country park.
Over the past few weeks we have been part of the Wild things group one afternoon a week. We took on a range of activities in Bestwood country park’s woodlands. Each week we were excited to have a new challenge to pick from there are a variety tasks using tools to make mallets, lighting a fire to toast bread ,crystal hunting, orienteering our way around the woods or just relaxing in the hammocks and taking a swing into the canopy of the trees. Some days have been very wet but we love being out amongst nature collecting Conkers and opening Chestnuts. And at the end of the session sitting around the fire with our hot chocolate to warm our hands being grateful for what we have achieved and planning our adventure.
Forest Schools nature pond watch
In Forest schools we are incredibly lucky to have our own pond and this year was extra special. We have had lots of residence move in to our pond which has given our children the opportunity to be able to watch the growth and life cycle of a frog. This has amazed the children and made them become curious.
Forest Schools nature hunt
Key stage one enjoyed exploring the school environment as the seasons changed bringing new life into the gardens and different colours. We seen nature in different ways and used its nature materials to create games and art work.
Forest Schools
During our Forest school sessions we have travelled back in time from the Stone age to the Vikings experiencing den building , making our own tools to hunt and defend our villages and cooking over the fire. This is a great way to bring the classroom learning alive and make connections.
https://youtu.be/EGzaXK0f2Ws
During Covid restriction we made our first video with Ignite for Notts Tv called Wollaton Watch. We were able to showcase our Forest School activities and the enthusiasm and curiosity it brings out in our pupils when they are in amongst nature. This was an exciting opportunity for our school and we would like to say a big thank you to Ignite for asking us to take part.
Forest schools
A new group and new adventures interacting with nature to help our children nurture their creativity, promote good mental health, inspire problem solving and build confidence.
Using the outdoors not only is it space to investigate, it is also an outdoor classroom to learn in . From lighting a fire safely, recognising the plants and trees around us and listening to natures noises.
We are using our senses to explore our space touch , smell and feel nature all round us. Gathering an abundance of things to sculpt, stick and make great art projects. As a team we will be using skills to build dens, create a bug hotel to encourage them to stay there. And finishing the sessions with a treat over the fire whilst reflecting and reviewing on our afternoon.
This term we will also be involved in making a video with Ignitefutures company about our Nature areas so very exciting watch this space. Wollaton watch coming soon !!
Our Outdoor Programme includes Forest Schools sessions, outdoor learning with a lead practioner for each class once a year and a commitment to at least 1 lesson outdoors each week per class. The program aims to provide highly positive, engaging and rich opportunities for all. We are committed to providing practical, real life and creative opportunities which broaden our pupil’s experience, providing them with skills for future and lifelong learning.