Forest School
Forest School at Lingey House
Forest school sessions take a unique approach to learning. They are learner led and allow opportunities for children to work in a woodland, natural environment where they can develop their relationship with the natural world. Through forest school at Lingey House we strive to meet our school values:
- Respect
- Kindness
- Individuality
- Nurture
- Resilience
Many of these tie seamlessly with the forest school principles (see below). We have a lovely woodland environment within our grounds at Lingey House which provides a rich environment that is safe to explore. Forest school runs alongside our outdoor play and learning (OPAL) provision sharing in a similar ethos and pedagogy. The environment will provide opportunities for child-initiated learning with natural elements and loose parts, where children will have opportunities to explore areas of interest alongside peers. Forest school leaders will act as facilitators who will work to aid social interaction which promotes kindness and respect whilst allowing children the freedom to be creative and develop their individuality. Children will develop their own understanding of risk assessment, grow in confidence, develop resilience and improve social and physical skills.
Forest School Principles
(Taken directly from the forest school association, please see link below)
- Forest School is a long-term process of regular sessions, rather than one-off or infrequent visits; the cycle of planning, observation, adaptation and review links each session.
- Forest School takes place in a woodland or natural environment to support the development of a lifelong 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 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.
(https://www.forestschoolassociation.org/what-is-forest-school)