Forest School at Copeland Road
Led by Miss Tomlinson – Forest School Leader
What is Forest School?
Forest School is a unique educational experience which provides children with the opportunity to have hands-on learning experiences in a woodland environment. The Forest school ethos originated in Denmark in the 1980’s and was originally aimed at children in Early Years, but is now being rolled out to children of all ages due to its growing popularity and highlighted benefits. Children at Copeland Road will have the opportunity to engage in a range of Forest School sessions throughout their time at school. These practical, hands-on activities aim to build up children’s skills, abilities and confidence week by week.
All of our sessions are designed and led by our trained staff, with the support and direction of our Forest School Leader. However, Forest School strongly encourages child–led learning, so as the weeks progress, children are given more freedom and responsibility to explore their interests and initiate and direct their own learning.
What happens at Forest School?
At Forest School, children will learn a range of new skills, whilst developing their knowledge of the woodland environment. Forest School uses natural resources to stimulate imagination, creativity and investigation. Activities can include:
- Shelter Building
- Using knots and lashings
- Natural art
- Fire lighting and cooking
- Team games
- Woodwork using tools
- Bug hunts and animal tracking
- Tree and leaf investigations
- Colleting, identifying and sorting natural materials
The benefits of Forest School
Forest School is aimed at all ages and abilities. There are many benefits of incorporating Forest School into the school curriculum, for example Forest School can:
- Develop children’s physical development and promoting being active and healthy
- Boost children’s confidence and self-esteem.
- Promote teamwork and collaborative learning
- Broaden knowledge and understanding of the natural world
- Promote care, appreciation and respect for wildlife and the outdoor environment
- Help to improve emotional and social skills
- Develop skills such as problem solving, resilience and communication
Our Fire Circle
Outdoor storytelling area
Woodland area
Planting area
