At Christ Church CE Academy we provide outdoor learning opportunities for our children through a Forest School curriculum. We use the natural outdoor woodland area to enable the children to become independent, use their imagination, take appropriate risks within boundaries, and initiate learning for themselves. Forest School is a holistic approach to learning which incorporates children’s individuality and develops their skills for lifelong learning. It can cover all six areas of learning, including the emotional and spiritual aspects of learning where self-esteem and self-confidence can grow, and positive relationships with peers can be formed. Forest School explores the outdoors and the natural environment with practical, useful activities all year round. It supports peer learning where adults provide support when required and enable activities to take place. The child’s interest is at the heart of any activity.
Our Forest School Curriculum concentrates on Nature, Bushcraft, Social and Emotional Development, Growing Things, Woodland Exploration and an Enchanted Woodland theme. This curriculum provides a fun and practical way of learning.
Forest School offers learning experiences for our children that go beyond the factual; excitement, fascination, joy, awe and wonder, beauty, revelation, inspiration and inquisitiveness of the world that God created. It encourages them to develop a deep awareness and appreciation of all things, a respect for themselves and a respect for others.
Mrs Taylor-O’Brien is our Forest School Leader, assisted by Mrs Hudson. Mrs Taylor-O’Brien has attained Level 3 training (which is the nationally recognised level of training required to lead a ‘Forest School’) and Mrs Hudson has attained Forest School Assistant Training Level 2.
Forest School runs a programme of study (linked below) from Early Years up to and including Year 3. This means that all children starting school at Christ Church CE Academy attend Forest School once a week for the first four years of their school life. Key Stage 2 pupils are offered ‘reward days’ to Forest School throughout the year.
The areas of benefit identified by a number of studies reflect the outcomes which time and again are associated with Forest School:
- increased self-esteem and self-confidence
- improved social skills
- the development of language and communication skills
- improved physical motor skills
- improved motivation and concentration
- increased knowledge and understanding of the environment
Quotes from our pupils
“The best bit is the hot chocolate and biscuits”
“We do fun activities while exploring nature”
“It makes me feel adventurous, free and excited. It makes me face my fears”
“You get to know nature and the world”
“I learn about types of birds, animals, minibeasts and habitats”
Gallery
