Forest School
At Bickershaw, we recognise the value of outdoor learning opportunities. We believe that by taking learning outside children's self-esteem, well-being, resilience and problem solving skills are developed. These skills are then reflected in children's wider experiences and in the classroom.
We have introduced weekly Forest School sessions with Mrs Davies who is working towards her Level 3 Forest School Practitioner Award. Originally a Scandinavian concept, Forest Schools has developed over the past 10 years in the UK and follows the following 6 principles:
Principle 1: Forest School is a long-term process of frequent and regular sessions in a woodland or natural environment, rather than a one-off visit. Planning, adaptation, observations and reviewing are integral elements of Forest School.
Principle 2: Forest School takes place in a woodland or natural wooded environment to support the development of a relationship between the learner and the natural world.
Principle 3: Forest School aims to promote the holistic development of all those involved, fostering resilient, confident, independent and creative learners.
Principle 4: Forest School offers learners the opportunity to take supported risks appropriate to the environment and to themselves.
Principle 5. Forest School is run by qualified Forest School practitioners who continuously maintain and develop their professional practice.
Principle 6. Forest School uses a range of learner-centred processes to create a community for development and learning.
Children are encouraged to take managed risks in Forest School sessions including using ropes, tools and building fires. Building these skills into the sessions in a controlled and supportive environment, it was found children more fully developed into confident, resilient and independent learners.
Below you can see what the children have been doing in their Forest School sessions.
This week children investigated what nature they could find in the local area and used what they found to create 'nature hearts'.
