KS3/4 Earth Education & Forest School

Intent

Earth Education is based on the same ethos and process of Forest School. It encapsulates the whole child approach and embeds cross-curricular links. Students are given the opportunity to enhance well-being, promote independence and gain everyday life skills. All activities are led by a Forest School & Wild Passport Leader and activities facilitated give students the opportunity of time to explore, access the space and freedom. This encourages students to harbor and foster relations with the outside world and to build confidence, resilience and awareness of nature and themselves.

Forest School six principles

The Forest school leader will aim to deliver Quality Forest School sessions.

The Forest School six key principles that shape and govern the Forest School ethos are used to plan and deliver the sessions.

1. Forest School is a long-term process of regular sessions, rather than one-off or infrequent visits; the cycle of planning, observation, adaptation and review links each session.

2. Forest School takes place in a woodland or natural environment to support the development of a lifelong relationship between the learner and the natural world.

3. Forest School uses a range of learner-centered processes to create a community for being, development and learning.

4. Forest School aims to promote the holistic development of all involved, fostering resilient, confident, independent and creative learners.

5. Forest School offers learners the opportunity to take supported risks appropriate to the environment and to themselves.

6. Forest School is run by qualified Forest School practitioners, who continuously maintain and develop their professional practice.

Implementation

The curriculum path has been thoughtfully created, risk assessed and organised, it is season led throughout the year.

There are a wide range of activities that can be facilitated to meet individual needs. Core values of Forest School are embedded throughout sessions and the Wild passport and Action For Happiness are incorporated.

Learning Outcomes are achieved by accessing the learning about ourselves plans which incorporate;

• Tolerance
• Curiosity
• Team work
• Friendship
• Kindness
• Creativity
• Ownership
• Resilience
• British Values

Impact

Earth Education  focuses on accessing nature around us to support students to be well-rounded, confident, happy and ready to learn. Making sense of nature as they study develops environmental awareness and creates tangible and effective connections across subjects which is vital for all students.

The impact of Earth Education and development of British Values are important aspects across the curriculum and wider school community. Time spent within nature provides students with the opportunity to thrive and promote mental health. It’s calming properties enhance well-being and the connections between places, people, sustainability and cultural understanding.

What and where is Forest School?

At Broadfield Specialist School we aim to give our young people access to Forest School. Sessions are typically small groups from 4 to 12 students and 40mins to 1.2 hours depending on the groups.

Forest School is run by a Qualified Forest School leader which will run alongside Earth Education lessons which run all year. Our differentiated approach provides opportunities to support other areas of the school curriculum, along with helping children to build positive values and attitudes. Students can have the time and space to play and learn about themselves, whilst exploring the natural world and the local area.

Forest Schools will link with Earth Education whilst strongly encouraging participant led learning. As student trust is gained over the weeks, learners will be given more freedom and responsibility to explore.