Subject Leader: Leanne Humphries
Forest School/ Life Skills 2024-2025
‘Forest School is a child-centred inspirational learning process, that offers opportunities for holistic growth through regular sessions. It is a long-term program that supports play, exploration and self-esteem through learner inspired, hands-on experiences in a natural setting’ (Forest School Association).
At Charing Primary Forest School, we are fortunate to have a fully qualified Forest School leadership (Level 3) trained member of staff to run and maintain the Forest School. We aim to provide children with an enriched natural/ woodland environment to offer each user the opportunity to develop holistically. They will become part of a Forest School community which strives to develop physical and mental well-being. Children are encouraged to self-direct their learning through play and exploration whilst learning new skills which will support their ongoing development from childhood through to adulthood. Users will support the sustainable future of the Forest School through education, by helping to maintain it, and by respecting and encouraging the wildlife and habitats that it exhibits.
In Forest School, children will develop life skills in gardening, cooking and crafting. Children will be encouraged to build on existing skills and develop new skills, enabling them to explore new interests. Life Skills will be integrated into Forest School sessions but may take place in the classroom.
In addition, this year, children will be integrating DT with Forest School. In Forest School, children can utilise the design and technical skills they have learnt in their DT lesson within the Forest School environment.
In the terms when your child is due to have Forest School, they may also have DT and Life Skills. It is my aim to get the children out in the Forest School every week (weather dependant) so they need to have their Forest School clothes and wellies in school on Fridays during those terms.
Please see the attached long- term plan with details on when your child will have Forest School and the topics they are covering.
You can also see the progression of skills which children will learn throughout Forest School/ Life Skills and DT (in Forest School).
The attached handbook details important information on Forest School curriculum intent and health and safety.
