Forest School
Welcome to our Forest School!
At Glebelands we value outdoor learning highly. Outdoors children are learning to learn – they are developing their Characteristics of Effective Learning; when the Characteristics of Effective Learning are taking place then effective learning and progress are happening.
We believe that Learning outdoors should look VERY different to learning indoors, so you won’t find stationary activities eg water tray/writing table/laminated letters and numbers. Our children will be actively engaged in pedalling, climbing, running, carrying, throwing, catching and digging.
At Glebelands we believe:
Children need space to run, jump, climb, lift – to develop physically
Outdoors is special and unique – children can use all of their senses
When children play outdoors they have a higher level of well-being and are more confident.
Many children prefer the outdoors
There is a greater variety of contexts outside eg plants/trees
Everything can be done on a grander scale – the understanding of shape and space, problem solving etc.
There are rich opportunities for developing speaking and listening.
Outdoors children display greater: Intensity, Energy, Imagination, Co-operation and collaboration
Children need to be able to access resources independently just as they do indoors and easily see what is available to them.
They need to be able to go back to the same resources every day as this leads to progression.
Adults engaging with children alongside the resources make the biggest impact
Every day outside is a possible teaching and learning experience. We learn new vocabulary through experience eg ‘splash’, ‘puddle’, ‘drizzle’ on a rainy day. All weather should be experienced eg splashing in puddles in the rain.
Our Forest School is...
Our woodland site is in the school grounds close to the Foundation Stage area and the KS1 playground. It is a perfect area for building dens, exploring nature, playing and learning.
This fantastic opportunity will help the children to explore the outside world through a programme of fun and exciting outdoor activities. Research has shown that being outside in the forest can have a powerful effect on children’s confidence, self-esteem and independence as well as an increase in social and physical skills.
The children will be out in the school grounds for one afternoon each week and they will have the same session each time.
We will be going ahead in all weathers (with the exception of heavy winds or thunder storms) so please send your child with the following clothing:
- Waterproof trousers
- A water/shower proof coat, trousers or an all in one.
- Warm outdoor, play clothing (lots of layers, including extra pairs of socks) – they will get muddy – we encourage it!!
- Hat, scarf, gloves (we go out in all weather)
- Wellies
Exciting Opportunity.... The Tall Trees Project
We have been accepted to be part of The Tall Trees Project. This is a project funded by the Outdoor Education Service and is a project that aims to embed Forest School throughout Primary School.
As part of this project 3 additional members of staff will be trained as Level 3 Forest School leaders.
EYFS Enjoyed Forest School
Our Forest School helps us become resilient, confident, independent and creative learners. During Forest School we work together. We help each other carry heavy logs for our dens. We explore our natural environment and spot the animals that live there. We notice the changes in seasons and the differences the weather makes to our area.