Forest School

St. Paul's Forest School Ethos 

Developing resilient, confident, imaginative and independent learners, through a love and respect for the outdoors.  

Whatever the Weather! 

 

What is Forest School?  “Forest School is a child-centred inspirational learning process that offers opportunities for holistic growth through regular sessions. It is a long-term programme that supports play, exploration and supported risk taking. It develops confidence and self-esteem through learner inspired, hands-on experiences in a natural setting”? (Forest School Association FSA, 2021)? 

What happens during a Forest School Session? During our Forest School sessions children will be given the opportunity to safely explore the outdoor environment, climb trees, cook on a campfire, build dens, and learn how to safely handle tools such as a bow saw, bill hook and loppers. Please feel reassured that staff have been well trained and as always, the safety of your child is our priority and every activity is risked assessed accordingly. Forest School provides a range of unique experiences that enrich the curriculum. We all know how being outside in nature makes us feel calmer, energised and improves our wellbeing and concentration.  

What does my child need to wear? Please can you ensure that the children are not in school uniform on Monday and Friday and wearing clothes that are suitable for the weather conditions, practical and allow them to move freely. They will also need to bring in outdoor wear to every session. No matter the season, we ask that all children come in long-sleeved tops and long trousers to protect their arms and legs during activities. We also ask that they wear sturdy footwear. Additional equipment for each season may be: 

     Autumn & Winter · Woolly hats · Snoods/buffs · Jumpers/fleeces (layers) · Thermals · Thick socks · Gloves · Scarves.  

     Spring & Summer · Caps · Sunglasses · Sun cream · Insect repellent.  

We believe being outdoors is incredibly beneficial for children's emotional and social development, as well as their physical development.  Our weekly Forest School sessions allow us to enhance learning in other areas of the curriculum, as well as helping us to develop key skills, such as cooperation, communication, problem solving and resilience.  

 

 

 

Inspirational quotes about children, nature and outdoor play | The Cosy Blog

Files to Download

Vision & Values Learning to Soar, Powered by God Isiah 40:31
Discover More
St Paul's CE Primary School
Utkinton and Cotebrook
Quarry Bank, Utkinton, Tarporley,
Cheshire, CW6 0LA

We are very proud to be a part of Chester Diocesan Academies Trust (CDAT). We work closely with the trust to promote the best outcomes for our pupils, whilst still working with other schools in the local area.