Forest School is defined by the Forest School Association as:

 

‘An inspirational process that offers all learners regular opportunities to achieve, develop confidence and self-esteem through hands on experiences in a woodland or other natural environment.’

 

Forest School is a specialised learning approach that sits within and compliments the wider context of outdoor and woodland education. It is child/learner led and informed and inspired by the ever changing moods and cycles of the natural world making each session different, full of spontaneity, wonder and delight.

 

At Forest School all participants are viewed as:

 

• equal, unique and valuable

• competent to explore & discover

• entitled to experience appropriate risk and challenge

• entitled to choose, and to initiate and drive their own learning and development

• entitled to experience regular success

• entitled to develop positive relationships with themselves and other people

• entitled to develop a strong, positive relationship with their natural world

 

Underpinning this spontaneity and flexibility is a common set of principles, ensuring that each learner acquires the cumulative and lasting benefits which the experience of a good forest school programme can bring.

 

Principles

 

• FS is a long-term process of regular sessions, rather than a one-off or infrequent visits; the cycle of planning, observation, adaptation and review links each session.

• FS takes place in a woodland or natural environment to support the development of a relationship between the learner and the natural world.

• FS uses a range of learner-centred processes to create a community for being, development and learning.

• FS aims to promote the holistic development of all those involved, fostering resilient, confident, independent and creative learners.

• FS offers learners the opportunity to take supported risks appropriate to the environment and to themselves.

• FS is run by qualified Forest School practitioners who continuously maintain and develop their professional practice. See the full principles and criteria for good practice.

 

By participating in engaging, motivating and achievable tasks and activities in a woodland or other natural environment each child/learner has an opportunity to develop intrinsic motivation, balanced emotional and social skills, which in time will show many benefits to the wider environment.