Used by schools on a regular basis for learning in a woodland environment.
What is Forest School?
Forest School builds on the natural instinct to learn that everybody is born with. It offers opportunities to make choices, initiate learning and take risks, and encourages positive attitudes and behaviour.
The concept was developed in Scandinavia, and operates on the principle that children of all ages benefit from the learning opportunities present in a woodland environment.
Forest School sessions are practical. They emphasise the development of self-esteem, communication and social skills, personal responsibility and citizenship. These skills feed back positively into other work in schools and settings. Forest School sessions link to all areas of the curriculum.
Since 2000, the Oxfordshire Forest School Service has grown and there are now over 40 schools and settings working regularly in local areas of specially designated woodland.
What can it do for children and young people?
Many children and young people have few opportunities to be outdoors. Forest School offers them a way to learn and experience a full curriculum in a woodland environment.
Through regular weekly or fortnightly sessions in the same area of woodland, with a trained Forest School Leader and staff members, children and young people develop:
personal confidence and self esteem
communication and social skills
a wider range of physical skills than are usually developed indoors
a deeper understanding about their own natural and made environments
increased knowledge about wider environmental issues
their innate motivation and positive attitudes to learning and citizenship
Training for adults
Leaders in training from our schools joining the project are supported by a qualified Forest School Leader until the member of staff completes the training. The Oxfordshire Forest School Service offers the Forest School Leaders Award, which is a nationally recognised Level 3 qualification, through Oxford and Chiltern Open College Network.
It takes between nine to twelve months to complete the Award, which includes a five day course at Hill End, compiling a portfolio and a two day specialist First Aid Outdoors course. There are usually one or two Award courses per year, according to demand – the pass rate is high, and it is enjoyable to do.
How to apply
To apply or for more information contact The Oxfordshire Forest School Service Administrator on 01865 861954.
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