What is Forest School?
Forest School is about children and young people building self esteem and independence through exploring and experiencing the natural world. Each Forest School programme is tailored to meet the needs of individuals within that group and is continuously developed as the children/young people grow in confidence, skills and understanding.
A Brief History of Forest School
The idea of Forest School originated in Scandinavia, where outdoor living and learning is totally embedded in society. There is a strong belief that nature and movement are essential to a child’s overall development and wellbeing. The philosophy of the Forest School was based upon the desire to provide young children with an education which encouraged appreciation of the wider, natural world and which would encourage responsibility for nature conservation in later life.
Forest School was introduced in the UK, in 1995. A group of practitioners from Bridgewater College, Somerset visited a Danish Forest School. Children freely exploring their environment were seen to grow in confidence, take responsibility for their own learning and show a greater appreciation for the natural world in which they live. Forest School has been rapidly developing in the UK, where trained and accredited Forest School leaders devise a learning program tailored to children’s interests and individual needs. Children are allowed to work at their own pace and the repetitive nature and routine that is embedded allows the children to build their confidence and self-esteem.
Ashelm Forest School 