Sherwood Park Primary School

‘Every child has an enquiring mind about the world and their place in it.'

Spending time in the natural environment of the Forest School at Sherwood Park contributes to the life-long learning of children at Sherwood Park.  It promotes healthier lifestyles and allows children to build curiosity in observing the wonder of the ever changing systems of nature. Activities and challenges are planned which build children’s self-esteem and help them become confident risk takers and problem solvers.  Forest School is accessible to all children who thrive in this learning environment and respond imaginatively and with enquiring minds to the world around them.  Opportunities are provided for children to think creatively, imaginatively, mathematically and scientifically in a natural setting.

Intent

• We want to promote the spiritual, moral, cultural, mental and physical development of pupils. This will prepare them for the opportunities, responsibilities and experiences in later life.
• To encourage risk taking
• To encourage problem solving individually and as part of a team
• To build on prior knowledge about the world around them and their place in it
• To apply the skills acquired within Forest School to cross-curricular topics, allowing children to use their skills to reflect on and explore topics in greater depth
• To encourage healthier lifestyles – promoting exercise
• To encourage healthy mental well-being
• Developing resilience – participating in Forest School whatever the weather!

Implementation

• One teacher trained up to level three in the delivery of Forest School
• Staff training delivered in Forest School sessions demonstrating how all areas of the curriculum can be accessed through Forest School/outdoor learning sessions
• A block of 3/4 lessons a year for each class and, where possible, a skilled session led by the Forest School leader eg. lighting fires with year 5 to introduce their topic of the ‘Stone Age’
• Links to all areas of the curriculum including English, Maths and Science in all Forest School sessions delivered.

• Opportunities given for the children to explore the natural environment in a non-hurried way
• All school values referred to within every Forest School session
• Plenty of opportunity for discussion and reflection.

Impact

• More children will achieve age related expectations and reach their full potential across the
• Children’s well-being is addressed through use of natural environment, calm environment, reflection time etc.
• Children will retain knowledge around areas such as Science and Geography through hands on learning experiences which are often more memorable
• Risk taking and problem solving  that takes place in the Forest School environment continues in the classroom and children’s confidence and self-esteem is raised