'Forest School is the bridge to a land of freedom'(Year Six girl)
‘My Year 4 class had an excellent time at Stocks Wood. Every week they were so excited for their next session and during every session they were engaged throughout. The skills they have gained are invaluable.They have improved their teamwork skills, their problem solving skills, they have made new friendships and they have had brand new experiences every week. Julian and Claire were brilliant and the children (and staff) learned so much from them.’ (Year 4 Teacher)
'I really enjoy forest school, it is great fun, and it teaches you life skills like using a knife and making a den and you just get to play and learn at the same time as getting muddy and having fun.' (Year Four girl)
'Forest School has been such an amazing opportunity for my son and something that he has loved taking part in. The staff manage to empower the children with vast and varying woodland activities that encourage confidence, teamwork and creativity. The outdoor exercises often allow the children to evaluate their skills and appreciate those of others, leading to a very supportive environment which continues outside of the sessions. The children relish the opportunity to be shown and use woodland tools, being proud and appreciating the responsibility they have earned. Most of all the children have great fun!' (Parent helper)
Stocks Wood Outdoor Centre's Forest School sessions take children on an exciting journey of woodland discovery. Activities are adapted to meet the requirements of each group. Julian and Claire have had experience working with primary and secondary aged children with a range of behaviour, emotional, learning and physical challenges.
The sessions make a positive impact on children's confidence, social skills, communication, motivation and concentration, physical skills and knowledge and understanding. Furthermore, they are likely to provide new perspectives for accompanying teachers who see the children learn in a different setting as well as creating a ripple effect when the children share their experiences back at school and home.
The sessions naturally support many aspects of the National Curriculum and EYFS. Links can be made even more explicit by sharing expected outcomes with Julian and Claire prior to delivering the sessions. Courses normally last for a minimum of 6 sessions, allowing children and staff to see the benefits of this creative approach to learning. Alternatively we can cater for one-off sessions.
What do the children do?
You decide the shape of the session - most schools prefer to have a more curriculum based morning. Teachers email us their topic theme and objectives and we provide tailor-made, fun activities that engage the children and create great memories that will assist further learning back at school. Often a class will be split into two groups so one can learn to make fire using a flint and steel (and toast marshmallows!) whilst the other half complete the curriculum activities. The groups then swap over before lunch.
With over forty years of teaching experience between us, we have made activities to support many aspects of the curriculum such as forces or life cycles in science, painting reflecting the styles of different artists in art and story writing and poetry for English to name a few.
Reflecting the Forest School ethos, we also like to provide ‘flowtime’ where the children can explore and learn at their own pace and with their own prompting. This normally occurs during the afternoon part of whole day sessions and can include bug hunting, pond dipping, creativity in the mud kitchen and sand pit and more!
Activities may include:
Interactive games focussed on curriculum objectives
Individual, paired and group tasks
Sensory games using blindfolds
Learning to tie knots that can be used to make construction ideas come alive
Making dens
Safely using a range of tools such as peelers and knives to whittle wood, billhooks to cleave wood and bow saws
Making fire without using matches and cooking food like toasted marshmallows, garlic bread or dropped scones
Investigating local flora and fauna
Letting imagination run wild to support exciting play opportunities
Making crafts from natural resources
Time to sit and reflect on what is around them
Stocks Wood Outdoor Centre provide:
Julian (QTS BEd Hons) and Claire Earle (BEd. Studies Hons), Level 3 Forest School Practitioners , Outdoor First Aid qualified, DBS clearance
Public liability insurance
Risk assessments
Equipment
Level 2 Food Safety & Hygiene
Optional planning meetings with Head and/or Class Teacher
Induction for staff, volunteers and children
Requirements of the school:
Minimum of one member of staff per 15 children (this may vary depending on size/type of group)
Group of up to 30 children
Children to attend ready for the outdoors. Long sleeves and trousers are expected to be worn in all weathers to avoid the risk of being stung by nettles or insects or scratched by brambles. In cold winter months several layers are required (we recommend at least five layers if the temperature is 5 degrees or less).
Informing us of any allergies and dietary requirements (incl. milk allergies for an alternative to our hot chocolate, and vegetarians)
