Forest School Principle 4


 Our Forest School sessions are consent based and child-led, supported by qualified Forest School practitioners. We support the ideas, plans and interests of the children and offer advice and suggestions, where necessary, to support what the children are keen to achieve.
 
At our Forest School all activities are carefully assessed via thorough Benefit-Risk Assessments which are completed in advance. This process allows us to make judgements about the risks associated with an activity and put in place protective measures to make the activity acceptable.
During our sessions we support the children to assess risks through their play, whether is it climbing a tree, lighting a fire or using a knife to whittle.
 
These activities are used where they are deemed appropriate to the learners and their developmental stage.
 
Risk taking is essential to healthy development, children need and want to take risk and that depriving them of opportunities to do so actually limits their ability to recognise and manage risk later in life. Supporting individuals to take measured risks develops confidence, confidence, an awareness of their own limits and boundaries, self-esteem and the ability to risk assess.
 
Exposure to supported risks allows children to take care of themselves and others. It broadens horizons and allows children to reach their potential. Through risk taking children learn how to be safe.
 
 
“The more risks you allow your children to make, the better they learn to look after themselves.”
– Roald Dahl
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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