Forest School 

Forest School is defined by the Forest School Association as 'an inspirational process that offers all learners regular opportunities to achieve and develop confidence and self-esteem through hands-on learning experiences in a woodland or natural environment with trees.'  

Here at St Philip Howard, we are excited that all our children have weekly Forest School sessions, where they are offered opportunities to achieve and develop their confidence through a range of activities and experiences - often involving mud!  We run our sessions through all weathers and each season offers interactions that have a positive, lasting effect on the children's sense of belonging and stewardship over the site and God's wonderful creation.  

Whilst many aspects of learning can be taken outside, including lessons based around National Curriculum objectives, Forest School sessions offer learner-centred opportunities.  These help promote the children's holistic development, strengthening their stamina, resilience and perseverance.  In our Forest School sessions, we aim to help each child to learn in their own way, encouraging independence through developing skills such as team work, communication, problem solving and encouraging supported risk taking: skills which support their learning back in the classroom, too! 

Using our Skills 

All children in our school learn skills, progressively, in using ropes, observation in nature, woodcraft, making and using fire safely and how to build a shelter.  Learning these skills developls the children's resilience, confidence and creativity in the natural environment, learning to take safe risks at the same time.