Forest School

What is Forest School?

Forest school originates from Scandinavia and offers pupils a chance to learn new
skills and develop their independent and social skills through engaging, motivating
and achievable child centred activities in a woodland environment. It aims to inspire
and engage children whilst building their resilience through positive outdoor
experiences and encourages responsibility towards the sustainability of our natural
world. Simply put, our children jump through puddles, wade in mud, climb trees,
whittle wood, build fires, make dens and much, much more. Forest school sessions
will run weekly throughout the year giving the children the opportunity to experience
changes throughout the seasons.
One of the best things about forest school is that it allows children to safely learn
how to take measured risks which is a really important learning opportunity often
missed in todays society where risks are often removed. When children take those
measured risks in forest school, there are some pretty strong benefits: Confidence
and Independence: As children navigate challenges, they build trust in their abilities.
Problem-solving skills: Facing risks requires kids to think critically and make
decisions, enhancing their problem solving skills. Resilience: Handling risks teaches
kids to bounce back from setbacks. Physical health: Active outdoor play promotes
physical fitness and coordination. Mental well-being: Exposure to nature has calming
effects, reducing stress and anxiety.

What you need:
'There is no such thing as bad weather, just the wrong clothes.' Billy Connelly
THE CHILDREN WILL GET VERY MUDDY AND DIRTY BUT THEY ARE MEANT
TO AND THEY WILL HAVE FUN!

AUTUMN/WINTER

Waterproof trousers and a warm waterproof coat or puddle suit

Wellington boots or walking boots

Thick socks, long warm trousers such as tracksuit bottoms

Warm layers, including long-sleeved T-shirts and warm jumpers, a woolly hat and

Gloves, thermals (optional).
A drinks bottle

SPRING/SUMMER

Waterproof trousers and a light waterproof jacket or puddle suit

Wellington boots or walking boots

Long trousers and a long-sleeved T-shirt (This is important to protect against bites

and sting!)
A sun hat
Sun cream

Plenty of water in a drinks bottle

NATURE IS A TOOL TO GET CHILDREN TO EXPERIENCE NOT JUST THE

WIDER WORLD, BUT THEMSELVES. STEPHEN MOSS

Please see below some new research about the benefits of muddy play. From risky play to dirty play: why young children need ‘dirty’ nature play in their lives (Barrable, A. and Robinson, J.M. 2026) is brand new research, barely a month old which we think needs celebrating.

Excerpt:

Risky play, which describes exciting forms of free play that involve some uncertainty of outcome and a possibility of physical injury, is increasingly recognised as vital to children’s physical, emotional, and cognitive development. However, an equally important but often overlooked form of engagement is ‘dirty play’: the unstructured, tactile interaction with soil, mud, plants and the microbial life that inhabits them. This article explores the developmental, immunological and ecological value of such interactions, which are frequently dismissed or sanitised due to modern hygiene norms and societal perceptions of ‘dirt’ as dangerous or undesirable. We synthesise evidence from microbiome science, environmental psychology and early childhood education to argue that microbially rich natural environments play a crucial role in shaping healthy immune systems, preventing inflammatory and allergic diseases, and nurturing curiosity, sensory development and nature connectedness. Integrating ‘dirty play’ into early childhood settings supports children's health and could cultivate ecological empathy, encouraging deeper, lifelong relationships with the natural world.