Our Nurture class attend Forest School every Wednesday afternoon. This is a fantastic opportunity for our students to learn about nature and explore the natural environment.
Forest School is taught by Lorna Stoddart of Greenwood Growth. She is a qualified practitioner who specialises in supporting the students’ mental health using the forest as a valuable learning tool. Lorna is a qualified Forest School Practitioner. She also holds a certificate in Therapeutic Forest Practitioner and Adult Mental Health and a licensed Woodcraft for Wellbeing practitioner.
Student Experiences
The students have experienced a variety of activities whilst working at Forest School. The students have learned to use tools like saws, knives, and mallets for tasks like cutting wood, whittling, or making craft projects. This is done under close supervision, with an emphasis on safety. Furthermore, the students have safely built and lit small campfires using natural materials, flints, and matches. They have been taught about fire safety and its importance in outdoor survival.
Students have used sticks, stones, mud, and other natural items to create structures, sculptures and artwork. These activities encouraged creativity and teamwork. Students have been taught environmental stewardship by being encouraged to leave the forest as they found it, understanding the importance of not disturbing wildlife and protecting the environment. The students have even had the opportunity to prepare simple meals and snacks over a campfire, learning about outdoor cooking methods and food hygiene. Activities included toasting marshmallows (making smores), toasting bread and cooking sausages.
Benifits of Forest School
We feel that the benefits of forest school are vast as it:
Builds confidence: Engaging in outdoor challenges helps students develop confidence in their abilities.
Promotes resilience: Students learn to face challenges, assess risks, and find solutions to problems.
Encourages independence: Forest School promotes autonomy as students are encouraged to make their own decisions and take responsibility for their actions.
Enhances social skills: Through teamwork and shared experiences, students build strong social and communication skills.
Improves physical fitness: The outdoor, active nature of Forest School helps promote physical health and fitness.
Supports emotional well-being: Time spent in nature has been shown to reduce stress and anxiety, contributing to better emotional health.