FOREST SCHOOL 2020
A large part of this years PE curriculum at St Bega`s will be known as Forest school. Dive in to find out more about our inclusion and priority for Forest school to be in place inside.
What is Forest school?
Forest school is an opportunity to spend time outside the classroom immersed in nature whilst supporting the pupils learning and allowing them space for creativity and their imagination to exceed the walls of a classroom. The research and findings out there go beyond the obvious fun element of having a nice time playing in the outdoors and as we continue to strive towards becoming an Active school its good to take note of the other strands Forest school taps into.
- The positive impact on our mental health and immune system by being outdoors, hands on and reconnecting with Nature.
- Cross curricular learning is everywhere in Forest school! Exploring life cycles in Science, reading identification guides in Literacy to using tools as part of DT. Forest school can connect so many areas of the curriculum all under one roof (Or Tarp Shelter!)
- Promotion of risk taking in an environment tailored to encourage and support children trying new things and being more willing to have a try at something new and give more things a go. The opportunity to engage with tools, fire and interact with nature in a deeper more hands on way.
- Fine and Gross motor skills having a chance to develop outside of the classroom through using tools, play and exploration of the environment around them.
- Longer periods of being active and moving around, engaging core muscles and nurturing the base for pupils endurance and support of muscular development.
- Grassroots opportunities for team work and improving individual social skills by providing a stimulus for all learning preferences and dispositions.
- The opportunity to explore nature close up, ask questions and lead the sessions while they discover things which make them ask questions or grab their own interest.
"Forest School" is a child-centred 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. FSA website - https://www.forestschoolassociation.org/what-is-forest-school/
Reminding yourself to ‘take notice’ can strengthen and broaden awareness. Studies have shown that being aware of what is taking place in the present directly enhances your well-being and savouring ‘the moment’ can help to reaffirm your life priorities. Take some time to enjoy the moment and the environment around you. https://cemind.org/resources/youre-wellbeing/
Research shows getting outside is also good for a child's eyesight, and being in nature as a kid is linked to better mental health. Some recent studies have even shown green spaces are linked to structural changes in the brains of children. - https://www.sciencealert.com/daycares-in-finland-built-a-backyard-forest-and-it-changed-children-s-immune-systems?fbclid=IwAR2DfHJPoH92wSNlQ3nMcmwoYqC6cYGBKZnV5MX_MaDKS_XAwlpmrEnwszQ
Appropriately developed gross motor skills can help your child build their fine motor skills. Knowing how to sit will give children the ability to be at a desk and practice controlling the movements in their shoulders, arms, hands, and fingers. https://www.healthline.com/health/childrens-health/gross-motor-skills
The 6 Principles of Forest school
- Forest School is a long-term process of regular sessions, rather than one-off or infrequent visits; the cycle of planning, observation, adaptation and review links each session.
- Forest School takes place in a woodland or natural environment to support the development of a lifelong relationship between the learner and the natural world.
- Forest School uses a range of learner-centred processes to create a community for being, development and learning.
- Forest School aims to promote the holistic development of all involved, fostering resilient, confident, independent and creative learners.
- Forest School offers learners the opportunity to take supported risks appropriate to the environment and to themselves.
- Forest School is run by qualified Forest School practitioners, who continuously maintain and develop their professional practice.
Taken from the FSA website -https://www.forestschoolassociation.org/full-principles-and-criteria-for-good-practice/
The Pedagogy of Forest school
This is the bit that really interested me in training to be a forest school practitioner. I observed the sessions and loved the ideas of bringing opportunities for pupils to use tools, make fires and explore the world outside the classroom as part of their school day... but it was the why and how that I needed to know more about. On the course we were given a lovely explanation of this complicated and difficult to pronounce word Pedagogy
The forest school pedagogy is walking alongside the child and their learning journey. Supporting them in their understanding as they question, explore and discover the world around them.
A learner-centred pedagogical approach is employed by Forest School that is responsive to the needs and interests of learners. The Practitioner models the pedagogy, which they promote during their programmes through careful planning, appropriate dialogue and relationship building.
https://www.forestschoolassociation.org/full-principles-and-criteria-for-good-practice/
The Pedagogy of forest school having the child led approach of working alongside the learners needs and interests combined with appropriate time and tools given to reflect helps establish stronger connections to understanding their achievements, developing emotional intelligence and planning for the future.
When do we deliver it?
KS1 and EYFS currently access Forest school on a Thursday Afternoon for 2-3 hours. The session is based around a wide variety of outdoor learning mainly on site in our mini woodlands set up. Please can pupils attend school dressed for Forest school (Wrapped up arm and ready for rain!) with spare shoes and socks for travelling home.
KS2 sessions are currently more on a Adhoc basis to interact with science days and Nurture sessions. Please note parents will be notified by parentmail as and when these sessions are running. Summer 1 and Summer 2 will see this timetabled as a weekly 3 hour PE slot on a Monday afternoon. As normal please come to school dressed for Forest school (Wrapped up arm and ready for rain!) with spare shoes and socks a wise addition for travelling home.
St Bega`s has been delivering Forest school sessions for the past 5 years and currently has 2 qualified Level 3 Forest school leaders (Mrs Woodhead and Mrs Stellmacher) and 1 trainee Forest school Leader (Mr Lee). Sessions will be supported by the wider staff team to ensure the ratios match the environment, location and activities planned. We currently use our rural school grounds to deliver the sessions including the Pond and Gardening Zone alongside another location within the FOC Mitredale Woods. (Approx 30 mins from school by foot)
St Bega's CofE Primary School
Welcome to St Bega`s School PE Profile! We are hoping you can find plenty of things on our page here that will give you a glimpse into what our ethos and passion is around PE! St Bega`s is a small, rural primary school based in Eskdale and made up of a awesome crew of pupils across 2 classrooms! We are small in number but formidable in power!