Forest School

Originating from Scandinavia in the 1950s, Forest School increases children’s understanding of, and appreciation for, the outdoors in a play-based environment. It forms an integral part of provision as we’ve found real experiences help make learning more purposeful and meaningful.

At Rosemead Preparatory School, Pre-Prep classes have the opportunity to spend time at Forest School each week. We are lucky to have a private site on the edge of our playing fields where the children are free to explore and learn in a safe and secure environment.

Forest School is a different way of learning that compliments the curriculum. The frequent and regular visits to our natural setting allow us to support the development of a relationship between the children and the natural world.

The children are encouraged to take supported risks that are appropriate to them, whilst being guided by the adults. At each session the children are given challenges but are encouraged to explore in a child-centered way. Some of the fun activities the children take part in:

• Shelter building
• Digging
• Bug hunts
• Art with Nature
• Flora and Fauna identification
• Tool work

Forest school is another opportunity for us to foster resilient, confident, independent and creative learners.

Forest School supports children to:

• Develop an appreciation of nature and all living things.
• Make independent choices.
• Assess their own risks.
• Work as part of a team.
• Inquisitively question the world around them.
• Build their problem-solving skills.
• Adopt a positive attitude to learning.

'When we are at Forest school we can learn to build things'

Pre-Prep pupil