Intent – Forest School at Willowcroft

It is our vision for every Early Years pupil to succeed and achieve their potential as well as lead physically and mentally active lifestyles through Forest School. We strive to inspire our pupils through fun and engaging Forest School sessions that are enjoyable, challenging and accessible to all. We have fully embraced the Scandinavian concept of ‘friluftsliv’ (free open-air life in Danish) and understand the benefits of Forest School for our children.

Our intent for Forest School at Willowcroft is that children:

• Have increase self-esteem and self-confidence
• Improve co-operation, communication skills and awareness of others
• Increase motivation, self-discovery and positive attitude towards learning
• Encourage ownership and pride in the local environment
• Encourage a better understanding of the outdoors
• Increase the skills and knowledge. 

Our Forest School staff are highly trained individuals who oversee potentially hazardous activities such as fire making or building a tree swing. Children are encouraged to work out problems for themselves and take the lead, whether through identifying safe ways to climb or discovering what consistency of mud makes the best pie. They go out whatever the weather, snow, hail or sunshine Our Forest School Leader follows the six guiding principles of the Forest School Association as seen below:

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. Forest School uses a range of learner-centred processes to create a community for being, development and learning.
4. Forest School aims to promote the holistic development of all involved, fostering resilient, confident, independent and creative learners.
5. Forest School offers learners the opportunity to take supported risks appropriate to the environment and to themselves.
6. Forest School is run by qualified Forest School practitioners, who continuously maintain and develop their professional practice.