Forest School is 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. The growing body of research points to numerous benefits to learner, educator, child and parent alike.
Forest School is the name of a specific ethos. Qualified practitioners carefully facilitate programmes which are uniquely tailored to the needs of the individuals within the group and have the fundamental aim of building participants’ self-esteem, confidence, independence and creativity. The name does not refer to an actual place; it refers to the philosophy.
The Impact of this is the knowledge the children have gained from the Forest School experience.
The impact can be seen through skills, art and craft activities, observations and knowledge of the fruit, plants trees in relation to the seasons and the skills involved in learning how to play Forest School games.
The principals of Forest School state that it is:
- a long-term process of regular sessions, rather than a one-off or infrequent visits; the cycle of planning, observation, adaptation and review links each session.
- taking place in a woodland or natural environment to support the development of a relationship between the learner and the natural world.
- using a range of learner-centred processes to create a community for being, development and learning.
- aiming to promote the holistic development of all those involved, fostering resilient, confident, independent and creative learners.
- offering learners, the opportunity to take supported risks appropriate to the environment and to themselves.
- run by qualified Forest School practitioners who continuously maintain and develop their professional practice.
At Forest School all participants (children and adults) are viewed as:
- equal, unique and valuable
- competent to explore & discover
- entitled to experience appropriate risk and challenge
- entitled to choose, and to initiate and drive their own learning and development
- entitled to experience regular success
- entitled to develop positive relationships with themselves and other people
- entitled to develop a strong, positive relationship with their natural world
This ethos creates learning communities where deep-level learning and progression are the norm.
www.forestschoolassociation.org/full-principles-and-criteria-for-good-practice
Forest School Blog
Squirrels & Chestnuts Beach School
25/03/2024
Today the Year 1&2 Classes from East Hoathly and Park Mead joined together for a sunny adventure down on Eastbourne read more
Foxes Forest School
16/03/2024
We started today by learning a game called ‘bat & moth’. The class stood in a circle making our cave, read more
Nursery Forest School
28/02/2024
We continued with our bird theme at forest school today. The class set off onto the school grounds looking for read more
Hedgehogs Forest School
21/02/2024
Hedgehogs got themselves all wrapped up for a soggy morning at forest school. We started today by learning a game read more
Nursery Forest School
31/01/2024
We set off for Forest School today keeping an eye out for any birds that we may spot along the read more
Owls Forest School
24/01/2024
Owls started their session by having a look at some pictures of different birds that we may see around the read more
Foxes Forest School
17/01/2024
We set off for the woods, on the lookout for some animal tracks along the way. Using some ID sheets read more
Squirrels Forest School
10/01/2024
We started our session today by looking at the Daffodil bulbs that were planted last time to see if they read more
Hedgehogs Forest School
03/01/2024
We started Forest School today by learning a new game called spirit of the forest. The class chose what woodland read more
Nursery Forest School
29/11/2023
We started our session today with a game of keeper of the keys; the children took it in turns to read more
Owls Forest School
22/11/2023
We started off our session with a game of ‘keeper of the keys’ on the playground; the class decided it read more
Hedgehogs Forest School
01/11/2023
Hedgehogs did really well, making sure that they had all the right waterproof gear on for a potentially soggy Forest read more
Owls Forest School
04/10/2023
We started our Forest School today with a little walk to collect some wood ready for a fire. The children read more
Foxes Forest School
27/09/2023
We talked as a group about the rules that we have at forest school to keep up safe, they were read more
Hedgehogs Forest School
20/09/2023
A very wet and soggy first Forest School for Hedgehogs today, this did not bother them at all. We got read more
Squirrels Forest School
13/09/2023
First session back and all of squirrels were very keen to get going and explore forest school. We set off read more
Forest School Update 5th July
05/07/2023
The last session of Forest School of the year brings a time of reflection. The whole class thought about their read more
Owls Forest School
30/06/2023
The whole class thought about their Forest School experience and it’s IMPACT on them this year. YOU - Has forest read more
Hedgehogs Forest School
30/06/2023
The last session of Forest School of the year brings a time of reflection. The whole class thought about their read more
Hedgehogs Forest School
21/06/2023
The last session of Forest School of the year brings a time of reflection. The whole class thought about their read more
Squirrels Forest School
14/06/2023
The last session of Forest School of the year brings a time of reflection. The whole class thought about their read more
Hedgehogs Forest School
24/05/2023
Hedgehogs set off for the woods together on a beautiful bright morning. On the walk to the woods the children read more
Owls Forest School
17/05/2023
The bluebells are growing in the woodland, so to preserve these amazing plants, the Owls had their session on the read more
Forest School Update 9th May
09/05/2023
Nursery set off for the woods together on a beautiful bright morning. On the way the children looked out for read more
Forest School Update 3rd May
03/05/2023
We spent the first part talking about risk assessments and the things the children can do to make sure they read more
Forest School Update 28th April
28/04/2023
The Squirrels class had a go at planting some tree saplings along the fence line of the school field. They read more
Forest School Update 31st March
31/03/2023
As the spring equinox (eui- equal, nox- night) has come, the bluebells are growing in the woodland, so to preserve read more
Forest School Update 1st March
01/03/2023
On the way to the woods, the Squirrel Class looked out for some emerging signs of spring. We learned to read more
Forest School Update 22nd February
22/02/2023
On the way to the woods the Hedgehogs class looked out for birds and commented on some of the features read more
Forest School Update 25th January
25/01/2023
Owls set off for the woods in the week of the Lunar new year. The class have been learning about read more
Forest School Update 18th January
18/01/2023
Foxes set off for the woods in the gorgeous, bright, cold frosty morning. Once in the woods, the children started read more
Forest School Update 11th January
11/01/2023
Squirrels are thinking about the ‘Great Fire of London’ as their learning journey this term, so today they had a read more
Forest School Update 4th January
04/01/2023
Hedgehogs started their session by listening to the story of ‘The Gruffalo’s Child’. We talked about how the different animals read more
Forest School Update 16th December
16/12/2022
Nursery set off for the woods together, with their waterproofs and wellies. On the way to the woods the children read more
Forest School Update 9th November
09/11/2022
Squirrels set off for the woods in the sunshine and were thankful that the rain had finally stopped! They all read more
Forest School Update 21st October
21/10/2022
At Forest school this week Squirrels Class made a fire. Once it was ready, we cooked delicious s'mores and chocolate read more
Forest School Update 29th September
29/09/2022
In forest school this week, Squirrels Class made beautiful mobiles from foraged sticks, feathers and leaves. Also, we took part read more
Forest School Update 18th July
18/07/2022
Hedgehogs had a fantastic visit to the community garden this term, where they harvested the vegetables, they planted in the read more
Forest School Update 24th June
24/06/2022
In forest school this week, Hedgehogs Class noticed lots of changes in the woodland from our last visit. We created read more
Forest School Update 6th May
06/05/2022
Squirrels had an amazing time in the forest this week. Thank you to Miss Roberts and Mrs Gray for setting read more
Forest School Update 22nd April
22/04/2022
Week 6– This week we went to the community garden. We created our own charcoal, made wands, created willow structures read more
Forest School Update 25th February
26/02/2022
This week in Forest School, Foxes Class enjoyed learning to make shelters. We all worked together using tarpaulins and rope read more
Forest School Update 4th February
04/02/2022
Last week in Forest School, Hedgehogs had great fun exploring the forest and learning all about balance in the trees. read more
Forest School Update 21st January
21/01/2022
Last week in Forest School, Hedgehogs had great fun making fat balls for the birds and hanging them on trees. read more
Forest School Update 17th December
17/12/2021
This week all of East Hoathly Pupils were lucky enough to have a Forest school slot. We got very excited read more
Forest School Update 10th December
10/12/2021
This week, Storm Barra meant we stayed inside for our Forest School session with Miss Roberts. We made Green Man read more
Forest School Update 3rd Nov
03/12/2021
This week at Forest School, Squirrels have been climbing, exploring and investigating. We did some careful observing and drawing of read more
Forest School Update 22nd Oct
22/10/2021
In forest school this week, Foxes Class carved butter knives from sticks, went pond dipping and flew kites. Later, we read more
Foxes Class Forest School
15/10/2021
In forest school this week, Foxes Class started by climbing the 'Dinosaur Log'. Next, we played some forest school games, read more
Foxes Class Forest School
08/10/2021
In forest school this week, Foxes class made butter knives by carefully carving sticks. Also, we flew kites on the read more
Foxes Class Forest School
01/10/2021
Foxes Class had great fun in Forest School this week! We made a giant woolly mammoth out of items foraged read more
Foxes Class Forest School
24/09/2021
Foxes Class had great fun in Forest School this week learning about timber hitch and tension knots, pond dipping & read more
Forest School Update 9th July
09/07/2021
Hedgehogs enjoyed a fun filled forest school this week by exploring the pond and venturing down to the forest. Miss read more
Hedgehogs’ Forest School 25th June
25/06/2021
In Forest School this week, Hedgehogs went pond dipping! We found all sorts of water creatures like dragon flies, froglets read more
Hedgehogs’ Forest School 18th June
18/06/2021
Hedgehogs visited the woods for this week’s forest school session. They were buzzing with excitement and lots of the children read more
Squirrels’ Forest School Day 28th May
28/05/2021
On Monday, Squirrels had a visit from Milly who works for The Lewes Railway Land Trust. We began our day read more
Forest School Update 30th April
30/04/2021
This week, the Squirrels took part in a very exciting session of Forest School with Mrs Smith! As a part read more
Forest School Update 20th November
20/11/2020
This week, Fox Class journeyed down to the woods to have a go at working together to solve problems, build read more
Forest School Update 13th November
13/11/2020
Fox class were extremely excited to begin their forest school adventure in the woods this week. Dens were built, games read more
Forest School Update 23rd October
23/10/2020
This week was a soggy, final session of Owl Class’ forest school adventures.The Owls are a resilient bunch and chose read more
Forest School Update 15th October
16/10/2020
At forest school this week Owls class went into the woods. The class took the toolbox with them and with read more
Forest School Update 9th October
09/10/2020
At forest school this week Owls class had lots of fun in the woods. We found slow worms and beetles, read more
School Values
08/10/2020
In Forest School this week, children in Year 5 and 6 chose to re-create the school's 4 new values on read more
Forest School Update 25th September
25/09/2020
It was a rather soggy forest school session this week but that didn't stop Owls class having fun. Work continued read more
Forest School Update 18th September
18/09/2020
Owl Class took on a challenge this week in forest school. After such a long time away, our field forest read more
Forest School Update 7th February
07/02/2020
Year 1 and 2 have been doing forest school this term with Mrs Smith. They have had the most amazing read more
Forest School Update 10th January
10/01/2020
During the last week of Term 2, the whole school took part in a festive forest school session on the read more
Forest School Update 20th December
20/12/2019
This week, the entire school took part in some very muddy Forest school! Everyone had a lot of fun in read more
Forest School Update 25th October
25/10/2019
This week, Year 3 and 4 used the natural resources, such as leaves, twigs and pine cones to create skeletons. read more
Forest School Update 5th July
05/07/2019
This week, Reception and Year 1 and 2 enjoyed another session of Forest School. They made dens out of sticks, read more
Forest School Update 21st June
21/06/2019
This week, Reception and Year 1 and 2 had their first joint forest school session. They spent time together as read more
Forest School Update 24th May
24/05/2019
Reception enjoyed a fire and toasting marshmallows in the final Forest School session of the term. Mrs Smith lead the read more
Forest School Update 10th May
10/05/2019
Reception had their first Forest School adventure last week. We looked for signs of Spring and admired the beautiful bluebells. read more
Forest School Update 22nd March
22/03/2019
This week in Forest School, Year 3 and 4 tested their survival skills by making shelters. They used natural materials read more
Forest School Update 15th March
15/03/2019
This week, Year 3 and 4 went onto the field and played the centipede game. Maxym in Year 4 explained, read more
Forest School Update 8th March
09/03/2019
This week, Year 3 and 4 took part in Forest School and for their first session, they ventured down to read more
Forest School Update 1st March
01/03/2019
This term, Year 3 and 4 will be taking part in Forest School. As their topic is ‘Amazon Adventures’, the read more
Forest School Update 15th February
15/02/2019
This week in Forest School, Year 5 and 6 went down to the Forest for Forest School. They were split read more
Forest School Update 8th February
08/02/2019
This week in Forest School, Year 5 and 6 used their artistic skills to create an owl sculpture out of read more
Forest School Update 1st February
01/02/2019
This week in Forest School, Year 5 and 6 spent their afternoon investigating owl pellets. In groups, the children wore read more
Forest School Update 18th January
18/01/2019
Year 5 and 6 had their first Forest School session this week! As the topic is ‘Survival of the Fittest’, read more
Forest School Update 23rd November
23/11/2018
From Week 2 of this term, Year 1 and 2 have been taking part in Forest School. This week, Year read more
Forest School Update 16th November
16/11/2018
From Week 2 of this term, Year 1 and 2 have been taking part in Forest School. This week, Year read more
Forest School Update 9th November
09/11/2018
From Week 2 of this term, Year 1 and 2 will be taking part in Forest School. This week, Year read more
Forest School Update 8th June
08/06/2018
This term, Year 1 and 2 will be taking part in Forest School. A letter will be going out with read more
Forest School Update 25th May
25/05/2018
Next term, Year 1 and 2 will be doing Forest School. This week in Forest School, Year 3 and 4 read more
Forest School Update 18th May
18/05/2018
This term, Year 3 and 4 and Reception are doing Forest School. This week, Year 3 and 4 painted their read more
Forest School Update 11th May
11/05/2018
This term, Year 3 and 4 and Reception are doing Forest School.This week, Year 3 and 4 made mobiles. Poppy read more
Forest School Update 4th May
04/05/2018
This term, Year 3 and 4 and Reception are doing Forest School. This week, Reception practised their fine motor skills read more
Forest School Update 27th April
27/04/2018
This term, Year 3 and 4 and Reception are doing Forest School. In Reception, we discovered a mystery egg and read more
Forest School Update 23rd March
23/03/2018
This week, Year 5 and 6 have been taking part in various activities for Sports Week. Next week, Year 5 read more
Forest School Update 16th March
16/03/2018
This week, Year 5 and 6 completed the ultimate shelter building challenge! All the children had to start them off read more
Forest School Update 9th March
09/03/2018
This week, Year 5 and 6 completed the ultimate fire challenge! They had to start a fire and keep it read more
Forest School Update 23rd February
24/02/2018
This week in Forest School, Year 5 and 6 will be taking part in Forest School on alternate Mondays and read more
Forest School Update 9th February
09/02/2018
This week in Forest School, Year 1 and 2 choose their favourite activity from the term to do again. In read more
Forest School Update 2nd February
02/02/2018
This week in Forest School, Year 1 and 2 made dinosaur nests in the forest using the natural resources around read more
Forest School Update 26th January
26/01/2018
This week in Forest School, the children played ‘Dinosaur Masterchef’ and had to design the most varied meal they could read more
Forest School Update 1st December
01/12/2017
This week in Forest School, Year 3 and 4 braved the cold weather and created a different hanging tree decoration. read more
Forest School Update 10th November
10/11/2017
This week, Year 3 and 4 had their first session of Forest School. During the week, Year 3 and 4 read more
Forest School Update 3rd November
03/11/2017
This term Year 3 and 4 are taking part in Forest School. As this term’s topic is ‘This Little Light read more
Forest School Update 20th October
20/10/2017
This week in Forest School, Year 5 and 6 had their final session of this term. In WW2, chocolate and read more
Forest School Update 13th October
13/10/2017
Over the last fortnight, Year 5 and Year 6 have been using strategies and tactics to infiltrate each others’ bases. read more
Forest School Update 6th October
07/10/2017
Over the last fortnight, Year 5 and Year 6 have been making trenches and their own Anderson shelters. They split read more
Forest School Update 22nd September
22/09/2017
In our first Forest School session of the term Year 5 & 6 created their own ‘WW2 Anderson Shelters’. They read more
Forest School Update 14th July
14/07/2017
We would like to thank all our volunteer helpers for their help with Forest School. The children really enjoy their read more
Forest School Update 7th July
07/07/2017
From September Forest School will be on a Monday, please let Miss Denney or Mrs Wicks know if you are read more
Forest School Update 30th June
30/06/2017
Year 1/2 built dens in the forest! It was lots of fun and we imagined they were stone age ones! read more
Forest School Update 23rd June
23/06/2017
In Forest School last week Year 1 and 2 made stone age fruit stew. The children loved it as it read more
Forest School Update 16th June
16/06/2017
Year 1 and 2 were blindfolded and had to follow the leader and pretended to be hunter gatherers. They found read more
Forest School Update 9th June
09/06/2017
This term, Year 1 and 2 will have their forest school sessions. If you are able to help out on read more
Forest School Update 26th May
26/05/2017
In Term 6 Year 1 and 2 will have their forest school sessions. The weather will (hopefully) be warmer so read more
Forest School Update 19th May
19/05/2017
In groups this week we finished planting the rest of the tree around the forest school area. We are looking read more
Forest School Update 12th May
15/05/2017
In Forest school last week Reception looked carefully at the different flowers they could see then painted their own pictures read more
Forest School Update 5th May
05/05/2017
In Forest school this week Year 3 and 4 got really creative and a little messy! They used lard, birdseed read more
Forest School Update 28th April
28/04/2017
In Forest School this week, Reception planted sunflower and wild seeds. We are looking forward to watching them grow. Due read more
Forest School Update 21st April
21/04/2017
This Term Year 3 and 4 have got their Forest School sessions on Thursday afternoons and Reception Class will be read more
Forest School Update 31st March
31/03/2017
In Year 5 & 6’s last session of the term, they were given the choice of what they wanted to read more
Forest School Update 24th March
24/03/2017
In Forest School last week Year 5 & 6 started to make a wood store using plastic bottles. They chopped read more
Forest School Update 17th March
17/03/2017
Year 5 and 6 had a Healthy Eating Workshop on Thursday last week so swapped their forest school session. This read more
Forest School Update 10th March
10/03/2017
Last week in Forest School, Year 5 and 6 continued with their Book Week theme of “Harry Potter” under the read more
Forest School Update 3rd March
03/03/2017
In Forest School last week, Year 5 and 6 braved the wind and created their own dream catchers. Their project read more
Forest School Update 24th February
25/02/2017
This Term Year 5 and 6 will be doing forest school linked to their topic ‘Evolution and Inheritance’. They will read more
Forest School Update 10th February
10/02/2017
In Forest school Year 3/4 used clay and natural materials to shape, mould and sculpt Native American totem poles. Reception read more
Forest School Update 3rd February
03/02/2017
In Forest school this week, Reception explored the use of natural materials and clay as they created their own tree read more
Forest School Update 9th December
09/12/2016
In Forest School last week Year 1 and 2 went on a journey to find Stick man. They have been read more
Forest School Update 4th November
04/11/2016
In Forest School this week, Year 1 & 2 used their super sight along a line to spot objects that read more
Forest School Update 7th October
07/10/2016
In forest school this week we took on some challenges and worked in teams. We had three activities to work read more
Forest School Update 30th September
30/09/2016
This week, we were split into three groups: one group with Mrs Yates (who worked together to build like Ants), read more
Forest School Update 23rd September
23/09/2016
"We went to the Forest and first we had to make a view finder. We had to find four sticks read more
Forest School Update 16th September
16/09/2016
This week, Year 5 and 6 started their forest school sessions by talking about the skills needed when working together. read more
Forest School Update 9th September
09/09/2016
Forest School this term will be Year 5 and 6 and will be starting next week on a Thursday afternoon. read more