Forest School
Welcome to Forest school!
Our Forest school lead is Miss Poynton, who is a level 3 qualified Forest school leader who runs Forest school across each year group.
A forest school leader is a facilitator; we are there to support the children on their journey but encourage independence. A leader provides a programme that inspires and educates children through a range of activities or tasks. The children learn key skills about fires, tools and about seasonal changes. In addition a forest school leader strives to create an environment that enables children to thrive by boosting and developing their self-esteem, confidence and resilience. A Forest school leader and supporting adults are responsible for the safety and well-being of the group. If the Children’s basic needs aren’t met then they will not benefit from the session. Their basic needs are warmth, food and water. Also they are responsible for the children’s safety including making sure the first aid bag is with them as well as the fire safety bucket. These are all found in the Forest school shed.
Intent:
At SMATT, we want children to 'Let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.' Matthew 5:16. By being in the outdoor environment children will be able to explore and engage in the world around them. Forest school is child led with the leader being a facilitator in their learning. Forest school will enable the children to learn fundamental skills that will be useful throughout their lives as well as expanding their curiosity and love of their environment.
Implementation:
At SMATT, we believe that Forest school is a fundamental part of the curriculum. Not only are they learning additional skills to those in the classroom, they are able to approach learning in different way which is inclusive to all learners. Here at SMATT we have seen a range of impacts already and strive to ensure it is part of the curriculum.
- Children can develop new relationships with each other as well as adults.
- They can experience risk taking, which is a crucial life skill.
- They learn to adapt in a range of situations by trying new activities and become open to changes.
- Children are able to use fine and gross motor skills as well as enhancing their stamina.
- Children learn to respect the environment around them and notice changes during different times of year.
- Forest school enhances parts of the curriculum such as when learning about rocks and soils, they can explore for themselves.
- Forest school is available to all children no matter if they have needs, the environment lends itself to being adaptable for all
During the year Nursery and Rainbows attend sessions weekly as we believe that in EYFS it is essential for their early year’s development and reaching their early year goals. Whereas KS1 and KS2 attend termly.
- - Year 2 in Term 1
- - Year 6 in Term 2
- - Year 5 in Term 3
- - Year 1 in Term 4
- - Year 4 in Term 5
- - Year 3 in Term 6
These terms stay consistent in order for children to experience Forest school in a range of seasons over their time at SMATT. Planning and resources come from a range of places including a range of Forest School books. However, due to the nature of Forest School being child led, activities are based on what the children say they enjoy and want to learn more about.
A typical lesson would look like this:
Forest school Handbook
Skills Progression
Where applicable, curriculum links are made. For instance, in Year 3 when they take part in cave art they will attend forest school and make their own paint brushes out of woodland materials. In Year 2, in Science they explore the topic of mini beasts and will use the Forest school area to observe them.
Adaptive Toolkit
In line with the Forest School curriculum, adaptive teaching is key to meeting the diverse needs of every child. Teachers observe and respond to individual progress, adjusting activities based on each child's learning style and abilities. For instance, some children may explore a topic through hands-on experiences, such as building shelters, while others might engage in more reflective tasks, like sketching or journaling. By offering a variety of approaches, such as group discussions, problem-solving challenges, and creative expression, teachers ensure that every child can thrive at their own pace, fostering confidence, resilience, and a love of learning outdoors.
Forest School provides a supportive environment for children with SEND and those from disadvantaged backgrounds by offering personalised learning experiences that cater to diverse needs. The outdoor setting promotes inclusivity, where children can engage in activities at their own pace and in ways that suits their strengths. For example, sensory-rich experiences like exploring textures, sounds, and natural materials help children with sensory processing needs. The non-judgmental, flexible approach also builds confidence, as children are encouraged to take risks in a safe space. Moreover, the longer sessions and focus on collaborative tasks ensure that every child receives the attention and support they need to succeed.
Some of our learning this year:
Forest School
Throughout the school, each term a different year group will take part in 6 sessions over the week. We also have Eco-Warriors from Year 1 through to Year 6. They take on the responsibility to teach others, including member of the community how to care for our planet. They received a Merit in the Eco-Schools award for 2025!
As well as this they had a big project this year: Our School Garden! We have transformed a space into a place that will be filled with biodiversity over the next few years. We have grown spinach and beans already that have been used in our lunches!
‘’I have loved being an Eco-Warrior this year as we got to spend time in Forest school and helped save the animals with our litter picking opportunities.’’- Year 4 Pupil.
''Our school garden is our happy place and I cant wait to see how it develops over the years!''- Year 6 pupil.
Impact:
Evidence of pupils Forest School learning experiences is captured and documented at SMATT in many different ways.
- Each class adds their experiences/blog to the Forest School web page.
- We leave samples of our learning and creations made in our outdoor classroom as a way of inspiring other children in their Forest School learning.
- When children have achieved their five core Forest School skills they are awarded with a certificate designated for their class.
- A floor book is used to capture our learning over time, which is passed onto each class termly.
Assessment in Forest School is an ongoing, holistic process that focuses on each child’s personal development rather than just academic achievement. The Forest School practitioner will observe children closely during outdoor activities, noting their progress in skills like problem-solving, teamwork, and communication. These observations are often informal and based on the child’s interactions with their environment and peers. In terms of documenting, we have a Forest School scrapbook where notes, pupil voice and pictures a placed for all visitors to see.
Feedback is given in a supportive manner, encouraging self-reflection and growth. Rather than traditional testing, the emphasis is placed on recognizing each child’s unique journey and the development of their confidence and resilience.
Pupil Voice:
What do our children have to say?
‘’I have loved Forest School as we have been able to learn outside which is what makes me happy. I feel confident out here and look forward to the sessions.’’-Year 3 pupil
‘’Being out in the Forest School area is so important because we need to learn the skills and not rely on technology.’’- Year 6 pupil.
‘Learning about Fires is so important because we can use this in real life, we know what can cause a fire and then we can make sure we done’- Year 5 pupil.
‘’Learning how to Whittle makes me think I am in the Stone Age time like we have been learning about, which is so cool and shows how hard it is!’’ – Year 3 pupil.
‘’In the Future, I can’t wait to learn about the different seasons and the trees’’- Year 1 pupil.
‘’I want to do more Forest School over the summer so I can show Miss Poynton all I have learnt!’’- Year 2 pupil.
‘’I hope to visit more Forests and see the different types of birds and trees as I didn’t realise not everywhere is the same!’’- Year 4 pupil
Keep up to date and extra links:
Forest School Association (FSA)
- https://www.forestschoolassociation.org/
The official website of the Forest School Association offers resources, guidance, and details about Forest School practitioners and settings across the UK. - Outdoor Classroom Day
https://outdoorclassroomday.com/
A global movement to encourage outdoor learning, with a variety of resources and activities designed to inspire parents and teachers to get children outdoors. - Learning through Landscapes
https://www.ltl.org.uk/
A UK charity dedicated to promoting outdoor learning, with a range of resources for schools and parents, including advice on creating outdoor classrooms and play spaces.