Forest school and Learning Outside the Classroom

Forest School is an important and valuable dimension to the children’s school experience at Christleton Primary School.

Forest School activities are designed to develop self-belief, self-confidence and self esteem through hands on learning experiences using natural materials. Over time the activities are proven to develop a child’s learning capacity, enthusiasm, communication, problem-solving skills and emotional well-being.

The children learn how to be safe, keep their friends safe and treat the site with respect. Forest School offers all children wider opportunities to thrive and celebrate skills that they wouldn’t have the chance to share in the classroom.

Every child will experience forest school in each academic year. The forest school area, which was constructed in June 2017, is not only utilised for this specific forest school teaching but is also used to enhance the curriculum experiences for children across all year groups.

The benefits of Forest School

Be healthy

• Physically healthy
• Mentally and emotionally healthy
• Healthy lifestyles

In our forest school sessions the children are physically active a lot of the time. Over the course of the sessions their stamina improves. Over time they gain confidence and improve their self-esteem which impacts on their emotional and mental well-being.

Stay safe

The ‘wild’, and yet controlled, safe environment of Forest School ensures that children taking part naturally learn to assess risk and are encouraged to make sensible and informed decisions about how to deal with unfamiliar and unpredictable situations (such as using tools to build shelters and dens). Much of the learning for a child comes as a result of the opportunities they have for testing their own abilities in a real life context.

Enjoy and Achieve

• Achieve stretching national educational standards at primary school
• Achieve personal and social development and enjoy recreation

Forest School sets learning in a different context for children where they can undertake a range of practical activities and carry out achievable tasks. Forest School enables children to develop their team working skills and also learn to become more independent. Those who are unfamiliar with woodlands and green spaces can become confident in using them and this can form the basis of a life-long relationship with natural spaces.

Make a Positive Contribution

• Develop self confidence and successfully deal with significant life changes and challenges
• Developing enterprising behaviour

Forest School helps children to develop their confidence. As they become familiar with Forest School they can take their new-found confidence into school and into other areas of their lives. Forest School can be particularly effective for children who do not do well in the classroom environment. Children learn to solve problems and be creative and imaginative at Forest School thus showing enterprising behaviour.

Learning Outside the Classroom

At Christleton Primary School, we are very aware that positive experiences outside of the classroom environment is an essential part of the children’s learning and personal development, whatever their age, ability or circumstances. The 'places' where learning happens have a significant effect on how a pupil engages with a subject or an idea.

Over the past few years we have invested in our outdoor learning environment. We have a well established forest school, a kitchen garden, an orchard, outdoor library, a daily mile track, an outdoor gym, an orienteering course and a fantastic adventure trail. Class teachers, whenever possible plan to utilise these on site facilities, as well as making use of the local environment.

Trips and Experiences

In taking opportunities to enhance our curriculum teachers make use of a range of resources including the local environment, educational visits, school visitors and links with other establishments.

Class teachers plan events to enhance children’s learning experiences throughout the year.

Residential (Over Night) Visits 

Residential visits form an inportant part of the school curriculum. As such we provide the chidlren with four opportunities to take part in a residential.

These trips are one of the main highlights in our pupils' primary school experiences.

The school plans residential experiences in the following year groups

The organisation of these experiences ensures that each visit provides something different and builds upon the previous one. 

Residential trips really benefit our children with the following life skills: Inner confidence, self-esteem, listening and communication skills, personal achievement, respect, resilience, problem solving and team building.