What is Forest School?

It is an opportunity for children and young people to enjoy nature. To dig, discover, bug-hunt, grow food, cook, climb, play with sticks, use tools, make mud pies, play with peers and develop their own interests and motivations.

Forest School is a long-term process where children have time to immerse themselves in an environment that becomes familiar to them. It's an opportunity for participants to develop an appreciation for their environment and to fall in love with the natural world.
Forest School Principles 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.
  2. Planning, adaptation, observations and reviewing are integral elements of Forest School.
  3. 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.
  4. Forest School aims to promote the holistic development of all those involved, fostering resilient, confident, independent and creative learners.
  5. Forest School offers learners the opportunity to take supported risks appropriate to the environment and to themselves.
  6. Forest School is run by qualified Forest School practitioners who continuously maintain and develop their professional practice.
  7. Forest School uses a range of learner-centred processes to create a community for development and learning​.

What are children getting out of Forest School?

  • Risk-taking in a safe and supportive environment boosts confidence and self-esteem.
  • An understanding and appreciation of the natural world to develop future environmental responsibility.
  • Skill development - fine motor skills in creative activities and gross motor skills with whole body movement (physical activity).
  • Improved social skills, working and playing with friends.
  • Self-directed learning and time for deep engagement in play.
Join us for Forest School
** ON HOLD - RETURNING IN MARCH 2025**
Tuesdays / Home Ed Forest School
Forest School session for  home educated/flexi schooled children.
  • Tuesday Morning 9.30am - 11.30am, for ages 4 - 8 years
Book in 6wk blocks / 2hr is £10, 3hr £12 / Discount for siblings
To register your interest get in touch today with details of (1) number of children and (2) their ages.

** ON HOLD - RETURNING IN MARCH 2025**
Thursdays / Parent & Toddler Forest SchoolThursday Morning 10am - 11.30am, for ages 2 - 5 years

Bespoke Forest School
If your school or group would like Forest School sessions tailored to your needs, get in touch.

What happens at Forest School?

Once we have arrived on site we sit together and start our session by looking at our values.

We think together to see how we can work and play while keeping hold of these imporant values.  We talk about what we would like to do and look at what is available to us all to explore.  All learning styles are catered for and our planning for the children is determined by their interests.

Children are able to be free in their decision making and have opportunities to risk assess for themselves.  They will always know they can talk to the adults in their session for support. However, children know best how they wish to play and explore. We like to give them the chance to develop their own motivations and to engage in their own interests.

As an adult it is easy to jump into a child's game or exploration but at Forest School we like to give the children freedom to truly engage with their own ideas and we aim to wait until we are invited to join them!  It's a good idea to stand back sometimes.

We always end our sessions by getting together in our circle for a drink and a snack... Sometimes the fire may be lit to have cooked snacks. Our reflections determine our following session and we plan to embrace and pursue the children's interests.

Where is Forest School?

What do you need?
We have a few sites in Rutland. We are able to develop any new woodland that might be nearby to suit your needs with the landowners permission.
"There is no such thing as bad weather, just bad clothing!" Wellies, waterproofs and layers or perhaps sun-cream, sun hat, but always have arms and legs covered... they will get muddy!