Having our own woodland area on site maximises the learning potential, enabling regular sessions rather than one off visits.
Historically there has always been a connection between the school and the outdoors, and the school archives contain work from Nature Studies lessons that formed part of the 1930s curriculum. Today, throughout the year, children from Nursery to Year 3 spend either a morning or an afternoon each week in the forest, taking part in a range of engaging and inspiring Forest School lessons.
Activities range from shelter building and tree climbing to scavenger hunts and natural artwork. Our children learn about the plants and animals that live in the forest, how to use tools safely and how to build and light campfires in the fire circle. Children learn to take risks, make choices and take greater responsibility for their own learning. Forest School is all encompassing, and enhances and develops the whole child.
Forest School enables us to instil an appreciation of the natural world in children from an early age, and embeds the importance of looking after nature and a sense of responsibility to do so. Sessions are intended to give children time to be outdoors and the freedom to be themselves.
The benefits of forest school are far-reaching. It encourages children to explore and experience the natural world in a practical, hands on way, fostering a love of nature. At Forest School, everyone succeeds, and no one fails, and sessions are full of opportunities to boost self confidence and self-esteem. It helps to develop social and communication skills as children work cooperatively alongside each other. As well as the physical and health benefits that come from being engaged in physical activities in the fresh air, both fine and gross motor skills are developed, which proves hugely beneficial when back inside the classroom. Moreover, there are huge mental and emotional benefits of being in the great outdoors, working in groups of friends and, most importantly, having fun.
Forest School is an exciting initiative which allows children to explore and experience the natural world around them. At St Ives we believe passionately in the value of Forest School for our children. It is a great way of helping to develop social and communication skills along with confidence and self-esteem, letting children learn through play and experience practical learning in a novel environment.