Forest Schools at RPS

Forest School at RPS Primary

We are so excited to announce the launch of our Forest School! Forest school is a holistic approach to learning which encourages children to be resilient, confident, independent and creative learners.  We hope that the Forest School approach will benefit the learning that takes place across the school and that all children will have an opportunity to attend Forest School sessions.

Sessions are managed by Laura, our qualified Forest School Leader. Each session will follow a routine that the children will soon become familiar with, including a group discussion, activity and exploration in our woodland, warm drink and snack and a final get together for reflection time before heading back to class.

Children are able to explore the outdoor environment and ask questions. They are provided with encouragement to find answers and extend their thinking. The natural environment provides lots of opportunity for children to explore and find out more. The children are encouraged to explore all aspects of the natural world.

Their own interests and play ideas will be the basis of activities to extend their learning. Activities will include den building, bug hunting, whittling wood, making bird feeders, mud painting and much more!

Clothing

• Children will be out in all weathers except in high winds.
• We will provide waterproof trousers and raincoats but in cold weather children should come to school in warm layers, long sleeved tops, long trousers, jumpers, warm socks, hats, scarves and gloves. In wet weather children should wear wellington boots.
• In warmer weather children need to wear long sleeved tops and long trousers, a sun hat, sun screen and sturdy closed toe shoes.

Forest School and the Early Years Curriculum

Personal, social and emotional development:
In Forest School children are encouraged to make their own choices. The children as a result build self-esteem, independence, team work and self-confidence. Children develop social skills through sharing their experiences with peers and adults.

Physical Development:
Children will learn have the opportunity to experiment with different ways of moving and become more confident balancing and negotiating space. Children will learn to manipulate a range of tools and learn new skills like whittling wood!

Communication and Language:
Children will be exposed to new vocabulary, have the opportunity to discuss and share their findings, tell stories and share their own ideas.

Literacy:
Children will have opportunity to write in a new exciting environment. We encourage children to write and mark make using sticks, in puddles, on trees and even snow! Children will be asked to read instructions and stories, write labels for the plants in their surroundings and create an environment journal.

Maths:
Children are able to count natural objects, spotting patterns, practising sorting shapes, measuring and given lots of opportunity for problem solving.

Understanding of the World:
Children will gain an understanding of the flora and fauna of our site. They are encouraged to think and talk about how things grow and building habitats and bug hotels to encourage wildlife.

Expressive arts and design:
Children will have the opportunity to make pictures using natural materials and paint pictures with mud paint. Forest school is an open and exciting environment which encourages role play and imaginative play