The forest school ethos is that children should be given the opportunity to learn and explore outside within nature. By giving children time and freedom in the outside world they can begin taking ownership of their own learning and use their initiative to develop across all areas. We all have different learning styles and Forest School helps the individual to facilitate their own learning in a way which best suits them. By having the opportunity to learn and explore at their own pace in an environment which is stimulating to the senses and ever changing, children are able to set their own goals and challenges. They can experiment and learn new skills away from the restraints of a classroom. By allowing children to be given the freedom to follow their interests and curiosity they will have an all round greater believe in self.   They will have the self confidence and belief to initiate their own challenges making it relevant to them.

The ethos of Forest School is based on a fundamental respect for children and young people and for their capacity to instigate, test and maintain curiosity in the world around them. It believes in children's right to play; the right to access the outdoors 
 

Ethos

At Westlands Primary Forest School we encourage the children to be independent learners. We take smaller groups of half the class at a time into the Forest School Site allowing the children to take the lead of their Forest School experience. We have a flexible plan for each year group growing on the previous skills they have learnt the year before. We give the children new challenges however this is led by the individual child and they can participate in whichever activity captures their interest allowing them to enter deeper states of flow within their learning. 

From this Year we are excited to announce that we will be offering Forest School to all the children at Westlands Primary School. Children will be taken in small groups down to the Forest School Site for 6 sessions a year. We have a whole School Curriculum which gives the children in each year the opportunity to participate in tool use, fire building, cooking, den building, knots and knowledge of the natural world. Each year the children will build on these skills as they go through the school. As a Forest School Leader we are trained to see if a child is ready to take on their new challenges and support the children every step of the way. Forest School is all interest led and children are not forced to take part in anything they do not feel comfortable with. At its core Forest School is there to nurture and build self confidence and self esteem and this is our true focus as Forest School Leaders.

All information and policies can be found in our Forest School Handbook. Any questions you have please contact Forest School Leaders, Mrs Tatham-James Forest or Mrs Cresswell at Westlands Primary School.

Forest School is an inspirational process, that offers ALL learners regular opportunities to achieve and develop confidence and self-esteem through hands-on learning experiences in a woodland or natural environment with trees