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Forest Schools

The Centre is not currently running seperate Forest School sessions although staff are still able to use the site within other groups.

In Denmark, Forest Schools have been an integral part of early years education since the 1980s, when they were first introduced as part of an expansion of nursery provision.  The philosophy of the Forest School was based upon the desire to provide young children with an education that encouraged appreciation of the wider natural world and which would encourage responsibility for nature conservation in later life.

When running, sessions are led by Forest School Leader, Kerry Smith and Early Years Practitioner Kelly Bishop and groups have a maximum of eight children.  The Forest School area is a secure site within St John’s School grounds.  Within this secure environment it will be possible to encourage the children to move away from close adult interaction and to become more responsible for each other and for themselves.

Benefits of Forest Schools

Children have been observed to develop control of their behaviour, improve their concentration, develop independence and social skills while attending Forest School.  Other children who have previously shown timidity and lack of confidence have become confident in their own abilities within the forest and have moved away from reliance on adults.

The benefits to children participating in Forest School and working with the outdoor environment have now been recognized as contributing to the management of challenging behaviour and the raising of the child’s self-esteem, independence and social skills.

For further information on Forest School please contact Kerry Smith on 01594 837552