Forest School 2023 - 2024

Miss Hyde

What is Forest School?   

The Forest School Association explains that

“Forest School is a child-centred inspirational learning process, that offers opportunities for holistic growth through regular sessions. It is a long-term program that supports play, exploration and supported risk taking. It develops confidence and self-esteem through learner inspired, hands-on experiences in a natural setting.

The process helps and facilitates more than knowledge-gathering, it helps learners develop socially, emotionally, spiritually, physically and intellectually. It creates a safe, non-judgemental nurturing environment for learners to try things out and take risks. Forest School inspires a deep and meaningful connection to the world and an understanding of how a learner fits within it. Our approach to risk means that learners constantly expand on their abilities by solving real-world issues, building self-belief and resilience. We believe that risk is more than just potential for physical harm, but a more holistic thing, there are risks in everything we do, and we grow by overcoming them. Forest School therefore, helps participants to become, healthy, resilient, creative and independent learners.”

Our Forest School Vision 

To enable each child attending Forest School to have the opportunity to develop an inquisitive and positive relationship with the natural world.

To increase confidence, self-esteem and respect in preparation for an ever-changing world. For every child to have the opportunity to achieve their holistic, full potential.

Our Forest School Philosophy

To inspire individuals of any age through positive outdoor experiences and provide them an opportunity to appreciate the wider, natural world to encourage a responsibility for nature conservation later in life.

Forest School aims to develop:

  • Practical skills in an outdoor environment
  • Confidence and self esteem
  • Communication and social skills
  • Physical and team working skills
  • Greater understanding and awareness of the natural environment
  • Natural motivation and a positive attitude to learning
  • Ability to recognise and manage risk
  • Independence and self control
  • Healthier lifestyles

What do the children need for Forest School?

For their comfort and safety during their sessions, the children will need appropriate clothing.  They will potentially be getting dirty and wet, so we suggest clothing that is not their nicest or favourite clothes!  

Forest School takes place in all weathers - however, forest school will not take place in extreme adverse weather conditions. 

During the cold months: 

  • Hat and gloves
  • Warm layers - long sleeved
  • Waterproof coat and waterproof trousers
  • Thick, warm coat if freezing temperatures but dry
  • Sensible forest school footwear - walking boots or wellies if they have thick socks to keep their feet warm - not trainers that will stay wet or slip on shoes.  Shoes to change into for the rest of the school day.

During the warmer months:

  • Sunhat or cap, suncream
  • Thin long sleeved t-shirt or t-shirt
  • Leggings/ trek trousers are preferable to shorts, due to tick risk
  • Water bottle

Ticks

Ticks are prevalent in Belgium.  It is good practice to check yourself, children and pets after any outdoor activity.  Please read the attached leaflet below for information.

 

 

 

 

 

Files to Download

Forest School: Gallery items

There are no Gallery items to display

Forest School: Calendar items

There are no Calendar items to display

British Section, SHAPE International School, SHAPE, BFPO 26

Tel: 0032 (0) 65 445283

Enquiry Form