Forest School
Forest School at Ashcroft
We are very proud of our Forest School provision here at Ashcroft.
Over the last few years we have worked hard to develop our Forest School area under the leadership of our trained Forest School leader, Mrs Spooner.
Children at Ashcroft access regular Forest School sessions in the Forest School area within our school grounds.
Forest School involves learning in natural outdoor spaces and follows a developmental curriculum which involves learning how to use full-sized tools, how to build fires safely and how to build shelters. The children also learn about flora and fauna as well as observing the changing seasons.
In addition to the skills and knowledge they acquire throughout the sessions, Forest School supports the growth in children's confidence and self-esteem and helps them to take risks, challenge themselves and to make and take informed but controlled risks.
What is quality Forest School?
Quality Forest School is delivery which holds to all six key principles that shape and govern the Forest School ethos. There are many forms of outdoor education and all have enormous value, however, Forest School is unique in its reach, delivery and effect. These six principles are:
- 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.