‘Must we always teach our children with books? Let them look at the stars and the mountains above. Let them look at the trees and the flowers on Earth. Then they will begin to think, and to think is the beginning of a real education.’ – David Polis
‘Learning beyond the classroom’ is so important to us at Chetwynd and a great place to develop this is through our Forest School sessions.
The Forest School Vision
Forest School is an innovative educational approach to outdoor play and learning. The philosophy of Forest Schools is to encourage and inspire individuals of any age through positive, hands-on learning in a woodland environment. Children participate in engaging, motivating and achievable tasks helping develop their personal, social and emotional skills, including:
- confidence – communication skills
- raised self-esteem – problem solving
- independence – teamwork
- imagination – self-discovery
Forest School Leaders at Chetwynd
Mrs Wraith and Mrs Mears completed their Level 3 Forest School Leaders course in July 2016. One of the first tasks they completed was to create a Forest School area on our school field that the children – across all year groups – access throughout the school year … come rain or shine!
We certainly don’t let the rain get in the way. Any excuse to make a wonderful, warming campfire with hot chocolate and marshmallows!
What Forest School is like at Chetwynd
Although Forest School sessions are led by the children’s curiosity and interests, we also have a core Forest School curriculum that ensures progression throughout the school. Mrs West currently runs sessions throughout the year so that every year group has the opportunity to experience ‘learning beyond the classroom’.
Activities include:
den / shelter building- lighting fires
- group games
- knot tying
- tool work
- food preparation
- life skills – cooking, survival