Intent
“Let them once get in touch with nature and a habit is formed which will be a source of delight and habit through life...” Charlotte Mason
All the children in our schools benefit from weekly Woodland Learning sessions. All our schools are fortunate to have beautiful wooded areas nearby which we make full use of.
We believe that it is vital that our children learn more about the natural environment around us. We are lucky to live in a beautiful part of the country and we want our children to have an understanding and appreciation of this.
Through Woodland Learning, we aim to develop teamwork skills, independence, resilience as well as teaching our children about the changing seasons and the natural world. By doing Woodland Learning, children's self esteem and self confidence improves.
Implementation
Sessions are taught as a whole school but with focused activities for EYFS, KS1 and KS2, planned and delivered by a qualified Forest Schools Practitioner. Activities are initially adult led and then children are given the time to explore, find out or create something depending on the focus of the session.
Impact
Our children are resourceful and resilient and thoroughly enjoy their time in the woods. They enjoy the feeling of freedom and being able to succeed in different ways than they can in the classroom. Children have a sense of awe and wonder about the natural environment and a desire to look after it.