Forest School Provision at Green Gates Academy?
Forest Schools are community learning environments in nature where children are supported to develop holistically through exploration and play.
It is an approach to learning and development in all areas, run by our trained Forest School Leader . Their aim is for the children is to enjoy their experiences, to improve their knowledge and health in an outdoor setting.
Key features of Forest School learning:
- Takes place in a woodland or a wooded, natural environment.
- Is a long-term commitment, delivered to all children at Green Gates Academy. Each tutor group accesses a half term Forest School programme. Taking place over a year during all four seasons.
- Offers children the opportunity to safely explore and manage their risk-taking.
- Follows a holistic, learner-centric approach by encouraging children to think about their actions, how things work and how they are connected.
- Is run by qualified practitioners with a focus on wellbeing and encourages learners to be resilient, independent and creative.
These principles are what makes Forest School different from other types of outdoor learning. Forest School activities sometimes takes place in more urban outdoor settings like a local park, school grounds but some natural materials are sometimes imported.
The History behind Forest Schools
Forest Schools have been around in the UK since the 1990s. They wanted to offer an alternative approach to the structured academic model with its focus on passing exams.
There is a long history of open-air culture before this, which inspired Forest Schools, particularly in Scandinavian countries. In the UK since the early 20th Century, we have had organisations like the Scouts and Woodcraft Folk who taught children outdoor skills.
Please click on the link below to see the links of the Forest School Programme and how it links with the Science Curriculum