The basic footprint of Forest School:

The Forest School concept originated in Denmark. Originally aimed at pre-school children, it was found that those children who attended Forest School then arrived at school with strong social and communication skills, had the ability to work in groups effectively, demonstrated higher self-esteem and a natural confidence in their own abilities. These foundations helped them to raise their academic achievements. The concept then evolved and expanded to include older children, disaffected children, and those with emotional and behavioural difficulties.

At Holbeton Forest School, all children will be encouraged to:

• Develop personal, social and communication skills
• Work through practical problems and challenges
• Use tools to create, build or manage and to develop practical skills
• Explore connections between humans and the natural world around us
• Build confidence in decision making and evaluating risk
• Become more motivated and improve their concentration span

What children gain from Forest School:

Topics are cross-curriculum (broad in subject) including the natural environment, for example the role of trees in society, the complex ecosystem supported by a wilderness, and recognition of specific plants and animals. The woodland environment may be used to learn about more abstract concepts such as mathematics  and teachers carry on this idea in the school grounds. In addition, the valuable personal skills that children learn, such as teamwork, perseverance and problem solving are skills that transfer back into the classroom and beyond, helping children achieve in all aspects of life.

Who gets to go down to the woods?

Everyone! The Forest School adventures start with the children attending the our Pre-School and continue all the way through to Year 6.

We are very proud to say that all our children attend fortnightly, throughout the year.