Forest Schools

Kings Meadow Forest School

Our Forest School Ethos

We at Kings Meadow base our Forest School philosophy on the 6 key principles designated by the Forest School Association as follows

Principle 1: Forest School is a long-term process of frequent and regular sessions in a woodland or natural environment, rather than a one-off visit. Planning, adaptation, observations and reviewing are integral elements of Forest School.

Principle 2: Forest School takes place in a woodland or natural wooded environment to support the development of a relationship between the learner and the natural world.

Principle 3: Forest School aims to promote the holistic development of all those involved, fostering resilient, confident, independent and creative learners
Principle 4: Forest School offers learners the opportunity to take supported risks appropriate to the environment and to themselves.

5. Forest School is run by qualified Forest School practitioners who continuously maintain and develop their professional practice.

6. Forest School uses a range of learner-centered processes to create a community for development and learning

'We recognise the right of all children, at a time when their liberties are being eroded, to engage without prejudice with the natural world in a journey of self-discovery and education free from the boundaries of a classroom and with a child-centred pedagogy as the foundation to their learning.

We believe that our Forest School is based on a fundamental respect for children and young people and for their capacity to instigate, test and maintain curiosity in the world around them. We believe in children's right to play; the right to access the outdoors (and in particular a woodland environment); the right to access risk and the vibrant reality of the natural world; and the right to experience a healthy range of emotions, through all the challenges of social interaction, to build a resilience that will enable continued and creative engagement with their peers and their potential.

We understand that our children’s health and safety are priority in the delivery of our provision and through the process they will learn how to manage risk to keep themselves safe. The Forest School leader will ensure each child understands how to do this taking into consideration their age and stage of development and the benefit these activities have for each child.

Through engagement with the environment and reflective practice both the learners and practitioners can understand their achievements, develop emotional intelligence and plan for the future. We see Forest School as a mechanism through which the learners can develop the skills that are fundamental to their well-being in the twenty first century.'

‘There is no WiFi in the forest but I promise you will find a better connection’