Long Crendon Forest School

Forest School at Long Crendon school opitismises the school tagline by being ‘a place for children to grow’.  Forest School encourages children to be curious, develops their confidence and independence, and provides them with strong connections with nature.

What is Forest School?

Forest School is a child-centered inspirational learning process that offers opportunities for holistic growth through regular sessions. It is a long-term program that supports play, exploration and supported risk taking. It develops confidence and self-esteem through learner inspired, hands-on experiences in a natural setting.

Originally a Scandinavian idea, Forest School works on the principle that children of all ages can benefit greatly from the hands-on learning opportunities inherently present in a woodland environment.  It arrived in the UK in 1993 and has grown from strength to strength since then.

Long Crendon Forest School aims to:

• Give children the opportunity to have time and space to develop, learn and investigate.
• Provide a secure, happy environment in which children can take risks, make choices and initiate their own learning.
• Help children understand, appreciate and nurture a strong connection to nature and the natural environment.
• Care for plants by developing a pro-environmental mindset and understanding of sustainability.
• Develop children's self-esteem, confidence and a positive disposition to learning through the completion of small, achievable tasks.
• Encourage fun, be creative and develop children’s imagination.
• Develop social interpersonal, consideration and team working skills.
• Support children to stay healthy; develop fine motor skills, gross motor skills and stamina.
• Offer activities which can support the classroom topics and curriculum, to embed concepts and classroom learning in a practical way.

What will happen during the Forest School sessions?

• The sessions are run at our Forest School site within the school grounds and delivered by our Forest School Leader Mrs Simons, a supporting member of staff and parent volunteers.
• Throughout the year children in year 3, 4 and 5 have one hour Forest School session every week and year 1 and 2 have two hours every other week.  Children in year 6 have two whole days of Forest School during the academic year.
• The Forest School sessions follow a routine that children soon familiarise with, including group discussion, activities, exploration and play in the woods, before a final gathering for reflection time at the end.

What to wear:

Ideally all children and adults must wear (in all weathers)

Long trousers

A long sleeved top

Stout shoes/wellies/ boots

Covering arms and legs protects you from sunburn insect bites, stings and scratches.

Depending on the weather all children and adults should bring:

If hot:

• Sunhat
• A water bottle
• Applied Sun cream

If cold:

• Woolly hat
• Scarf
• Gloves
• Warm layers
• Spare socks
• Waterproof coat with hood
• Waterproof trousers
• A carrier bag for taking muddy/wet clothes home

“Remember it is much easier to take layers off  if you get hot, than to try and get warm once you are cold.”