Forest School

Forest School is an innovative educational approach to outdoor play and learning.  Children use tools, play, learn boundaries of behaviour (both physical and social) and learn about risks. 

This inspirational process offers all learners regular opportunities to achieve and develop confidence and self-esteem through hands-on learning experiences in a natural environment.

At Brackenwood we have invested in our own Forest School area.  Forest School is a long-term process of regular sessions, rather than one-off or infrequent visits, with a cycle of planning, observation, adaptation and review linking each session.

Forest School Principles

  • Forest School takes place in a woodland or natural environment to support the development of a 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 those 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.

GROW_CIC (3).jpeg
 
FSP 1.jpg
FSP 2.jpg

Grow - Wellbeing

The school’s forest learning is provided by Grow - Wellbeing Community Interest Company.

GROW-Wellbeing C.I.C. is a not-for-profit organisation that delivers creative, personally affirmative opportunities for children, young people and adults. Their mission is to support healthy communities, strongly connected to the natural environment. To achieve this, they deliver Forest School programmes in schools, for charities and in public settings, aimed at building relationships between people, with a commitment to diversity and inter-generational co-operation, and the natural world. 

Personal and guided exploration and play within natural and Forest School settings deliver a wealth of potential to promote individual development and growth, including: communication skills, creativity and curiosity, physical development, co-operative and collective working, building relationships and numeracy and analytical skills. 

Using forest learning, creative arts, storytelling, nature studies, outdoor adventures, games, play and eco-therapy, GROW-Wellbeing aims to support the growth and development of resilient children and young people, committed to the future stewardship of the natural environment.