Forest School

IMG_0396The Early Years department is under-taking the development of a Forest School style provision to add to the preschool setting.
Although this is in the early stages, work to the allotted area of ground is already underway and the staff are highly motivated and excited about this valuable asset to the school.

Forest School will be an exciting and invaluable feature for the children. Forest School is an outdoor learning opportunity for the children to take part in. Being in the natural environment and open-air supports the children's EYFS curriculum across all seven areas of learning, as shown.
1. Personal Social and Emotional Development - sharing, problem solving,  supports independence, working as a team, seeking out new friends and taking responsibility such as managing the balance between appropriate risk and challenge.
2. Physical Development - using both gross and fine motor skills. Being outside in the open gives the children the chance to use their bodies in ways that would not be given scope within the classroom setting, using large muscle groups to explore and make dens and small muscles to create and handle natural items. In an age of supporting healthy activity and the health benefits of being outside, this opportunity will hopefully encourage a life-long awareness of physical activity and well-being.
3. Communication and Language - The natural setting and different opportunities inspire
language and communication i.e. increased and varied vocabulary. Children are extended the time and confidence to communicate with others. Well supported language and communication development directly improves the developing skills needed for literacy i.e. reading and emergent writing. Some children find the constraints of the classroom inhibits their communication, being outdoors seems to liberate children and help them engage.
4. Literacy - the sensory input and experiences from learning outside often encourages children to record these events back in the classroom through recording data, early mark making (which in turn leads to writing.)
5. Mathematics - children learn best when motivated and engaged and counting, recording data and looking at shapes in the environment could not be more fun or inspiring.
6. Understanding the World - what better way to learn about the world around us, than to experience it first hand? The beauty of Forest School allows children to be outside in all weathers, monitor the changing seasons and enjoy their natural world by seeking out mini-beasts, exploring plants and flowers and understanding from a young age the need to nurture and look after our planet.
7. Expressive Arts and Design - the opportunity to create and gather natural materials that are simply not available in the classroom and to explore textures and colours as they appear in nature. Role play can be supported and extended in the open freedom of Forest School.

Forest School has proven to be popular and highly successful nationwide and we are aiming for nothing less here at Bishop Challoner. We expect and hope that all of the children will find Forest School to be a valuable part of their school life, building memories and learning through fun and free exploration. Once Forest School is fully implemented we hope that the younger members of the junior school - outside of the EYFS will enjoy the new learning environment and that you, the parents, will also enjoy hearing about the adventures your child has had in the outdoors - Forest School really will be "the" place to be!