Welcome to Trotts Hill Forest School!

Forest school is founded on a set of Principles determined by the Forest School Association. These are:

Principle 1: Forest School is a long-term process of frequent and regular sessions in a woodland or natural environment, rather than a one-off visit. Planning adaptation, observations and reviewing are integral elements of Forest School

Principle 2: Forest School takes place in a woodland or natural wooded environment to support the development of a relationship between the learner and the natural world.

Principle 3: Forest School aims to promote the holistic development of all those involved, fostering resilient, confident, and creative learners.

Principle 4: Forest School offers learners the opportunity to take supported risks appropriate to the environment and to themselves.

Principle 5: Forest School is run by qualified Forest School Practitioners who continuously maintain and develop their professional practice.

Principle 6: Forest School uses a range of learner-centred processes to create a community for development and learning.

In our Forest School, we offer the children a regular session in all but extreme weathers, over the whole of the academic year to enable the children to experience all seasons. We are lucky to have our own woodland area on site, together with a log circle which we use for reflection at the end of the session.

Each session begins with a reminder of the boundaries of Forest School, physical as well as behaviour expectations, then we go on to play a game or a short activity. This is followed by time when the children can choose to participate in an adult led activity and/or play in the woodland area either climbing trees, making dens, searching for bugs or by using their own creativity and imagination. Examples of activities include grass weaving, natural art, happizome (using a hammer to “dye” fabric using leaves) and magic wands, which will be modelled by the Leader for children to then complete independently (with supervision), should they wish to do so. Once children are settled in to Forest School, we will begin to offer riskier activities such as cutting wood with loppers and using a palm drill to make holes in wood cookies.

By this process, children learn to be creative thinkers, develop their communication skills as they collaborate with each other, be inquisitive and care about the natural world as they learn their place in it, develop their physical strength as they move and manipulate objects. They are supported to take and manage risks by using tools which improves their self-esteem and confidence. They are nurtured spiritually by connection with the natural world. Above all, they will be children and have fun.

The Forest School Lead is Catherine Hunter. She is a Forest School qualified Lead Practitioner (Level 3) and also holds an NVQ Early Years Educator Level 3, and is our OPAL Play Coordinator.