Forest School
A long-term, child-led approach to learning in the heart of the woods.
What is Forest School?
Forest School is a long-term, child-led approach to learning that takes place in a natural woodland environment. Through outdoor play and exploration in nature, children develop self-esteem, independence and confidence at their own pace.
Rather than a one-off trip or occasional visit, Forest School is a regular, ongoing process. Children return week after week, building familiarity with the woodland and deepening their connection to the natural world as they observe it change through the seasons. Sessions blend problem-solving and creativity with hands-on bushcraft skills such as knot tying, tree climbing, fire lighting and tool use.
At its heart, Forest School takes a holistic approach. Children grow physically, emotionally, cognitively and socially — all while developing a genuine love of nature through play, discovery and observation.
Our approach is grounded in the six nationally recognised principles of Forest School, as published by the Forest School Association. These principles emphasise regular sessions over time, learning in a natural environment, learner-centred processes, holistic development, supported risk-taking, and delivery by qualified practitioners who continually develop their professional practice.
How we’re different
What sets Forest School apart is that learning is genuinely child-led. We give children the time and space to explore and discover things for themselves, following their own interests rather than a fixed curriculum. Our role is to observe each child closely, follow where their curiosity takes them, and offer gentle interventions that help them develop new skills, knowledge and confidence.
Children are never left to manage alone. Our specialist Forest School facilitators — the “knowledgeable others” — are always close by to guide and reassure. We allow children to meet risks and challenges appropriate to their age, personality and stage of development, while keeping them safe throughout.
Because our activities are deliberately open-ended, children of all ages and abilities can engage at their own level. We adapt continually to children’s needs and interests, as well as to the changing seasons and everything they have to offer. Each session follows the Forest School “plan – do – review” cycle, with progress monitored through observation, photographs and learning notes that shape what comes next.
All of our Forest School Leaders are qualified through nationally recognised and accredited training, ensuring a consistently high-quality experience.
What we offer your child
Every session is planned around the needs of the individual and the group, building week upon week. Early sessions focus on safety, settling in and establishing routines, giving children time to become comfortable and confident in our setting. As their confidence grows, sessions move towards developing and reinforcing skills, deepening their connection with nature, and building relationships within the group.
Through regular sessions, children typically develop across these areas:
- Physical development — gross and fine motor skills through climbing, balancing, building, tool use and den-making.
- Communication and language — rich vocabulary linked to nature, storytelling around the fire, and conversation with peers and adults.
- Personal, social and emotional development — self-esteem, confidence, resilience, co-operation, empathy and emotional regulation.
- Cognitive development — problem-solving, predicting, planning, sequencing, mathematical thinking and creativity.
- Connection with the natural world — knowledge of trees, plants, mini-beasts, weather and seasons, and a felt sense of belonging in nature.
- Risk awareness — the ability to identify, assess and manage everyday risks such as fire, tools, climbing and weather.
We foster a supportive, encouraging community where every child feels valued and listened to. And we love to keep you involved — we’ll regularly share your child’s experiences at Forest School with you, and we always enjoy hearing what they have to say about their time in the woods.
Inclusive and neuro-affirmative
Forest School is for every child. We are proud to be an inclusive and neuro-affirmative setting. Our staff have extensive experience and training in supporting children with a wide range of additional needs.
Our practice is grounded in a low-arousal approach: we accept and value every child unconditionally (an approach known as unconditional positive regard) and meet each child ‘where they’re at’, without judgement and without expectation that they mask, conform or perform. We believe difference is something to be understood, supported, and celebrated — not corrected.
Forest School is often a place where neurodivergent children truly thrive. As a low-demand, low-stress environment, it offers freedom from many of the pressures children can experience elsewhere. The natural world provides rich, supportive sensory experiences — the textures, sounds, space and rhythm of the woodland — that many children find calming and regulating. Without the constraints of a fixed curriculum or rigid expectations, children are free to engage in their own way and at their own pace, and many find they are able to excel.
If your child requires support beyond what our standard staffing ratios allow for, please do talk to us. We will always do our best to work with you to understand and meet your child’s individual needs.
