Rights Links: Article 24 – Health and Health Services; Article 29 – Goals of Education
A Forest School is an innovative educational approach to outdoor play and learning. Forest schools is a type of outdoor education in which school children visit forests or wooded areas, learning personal, social and technical skills. It has been defined as "an inspirational process that offers children, young people and adults regular opportunities to achieve and develop confidence through hands-on learning in a woodland environment".
Forest schools use the woods and forests as a means to build independence and self-esteem in school-age children. Topics include the natural environment, for example the role of trees in society, the complex ecosystem supported by a wilderness, and recognition of specific plants and animals. However, the personal skills are considered highly valuable, such as teamwork and problem solving. The woodland environment may be used to learn about more abstract concepts such as mathematics and communication.
Forest schools are often led by the child's interests. The main goals of forest schools in primary age children include encouraging curiosity and exploration with all of the senses, empowering children in the natural environment, and encouraging spatial awareness and motor development.
Children learn about flora and fauna but gain more abstract benefits in social skills such as team-building and cooperation, project planning and recognition of each pupil's own achievements. By setting children small manageable tasks and giving praise, they are given a good foundation for future learning.
Click the link below to read more about Forest Schools at Lighthorne Heath Primary School.