Wonderwood Forest School
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What is Forest School?
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The guiding principles of Forest School have been developed over time, based on a foundation of outdoor learning going back to the 19th century. Philosophers, naturalists and educators from Europe and the UK, from this period onwards, contributed to what is today recognised as Forest School.
The Forest School Association website provides detailed information about the history of Forest School see: http://www.forestschoolassociation.org/what-is-forest-school/ It defines Forest School as: ‘an inspirational process, that offers ALL learners regular opportunities to achieve and develop confidence and self-esteem through hands-on learning experiences in a woodland or natural environment with trees.’ Forest School sessions form an integral part of the broad, balanced curriculum we offer here at Totternhoe CE Academy, and take place as part of our timetabled learning, outdoors. |
Forest School offers opportunities to experience the natural environment, in nearly all weathers, and all year round, where children learn through practical activities in the outdoor environment.
In Forest School, children will develop skills of independence , perseverance and resilience. They will develop social and communication skills in teamwork and cooperative tasks, have freedom to explore, make choices, take calculated risks, develop skills in using tools and explore being creative in our Wonderwood area. Forest School activities will enable the children to enhance and deepen their understanding across the curriculum, particularly in science, art, DT, maths, geography and literacy. Mental well-being has been found to improve when more time is spent in the freedom and space of the outdoors. |
Weekly Forest School sessions will last approx. 1-2 hours, depending on the group. We aim to give children as much time as possible in each session. During these times there will be time to play some games, use tools, make dens, leave trails, go on scavenger hunts, make environmental art, cook on fires, develop existing skills and learn new ones…
Sycamore: Spring 2020
Some comments from our Year 5s:
I think that Forest School is very educational for people and is very adventurous. And crafty!
Oscar
I think Forest School is one of the most fun things in the world because it’s got lots of things you can do. I’d like a few more sessions though.
Timothy
I thought Forest School was amazing! Better than it was at my old school!
Millie
Some comments from our Year 5s:
I think that Forest School is very educational for people and is very adventurous. And crafty!
Oscar
I think Forest School is one of the most fun things in the world because it’s got lots of things you can do. I’d like a few more sessions though.
Timothy
I thought Forest School was amazing! Better than it was at my old school!
Millie
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Poems inspired by Forest School:
Forest School Reflections Den building Respecting others Resilience Tree observing Caring branches Team work Hot chocolate Biscuits By Amelia Forest School Reflections Blackbirds and thrushes sing in the forest, When you’re running you can see the tallest trees. The dens we build are humungous, On logs, there is long, disgusting fungus, In the summer, bees zoom across. By Ashton, Harrison, Oscar and Timothy |
Forest School
Freezing! Oh, so fantastic! Respect property and wildlife, Exciting Friday afternoons, Saws Teamwork. Singing birds, Clove hitch knot Have fun with friends Obstacle course over trees, Oh, how cool and amazing! Lovely, marvellous hot chocolate with biscuits! By Lilia, Millie, Maya and Leah |
Unfortunately, official Forest School sessions were curtailed due to the pandemic and lockdown, however, the children who still attended school throughout the remainder of the Spring and Summer terms, utilised the outside areas and environments as much as possible. Many enjoyable experiences and activities were shared in and around Wonderwood, and we were blessed with such amazing weather for the most part!
Such outdoor learning opportunities are so beneficial to the emotional health and wellbeing of our children.
We are looking forward to resuming our Forest School sessions again, as soon as possible, in the new term ahead.
Such outdoor learning opportunities are so beneficial to the emotional health and wellbeing of our children.
We are looking forward to resuming our Forest School sessions again, as soon as possible, in the new term ahead.
Rowan Class: Autumn 2019
Rowan have had a wonderful time in Wonderwood Forest School. They have seen the autumnal changes in the trees and plants and learned about the spread of different types of seeds: the 'wings' of the hornbeam and sycamore spread by the wind, and the sticky burrs of 'goosegrass'/'sticky weed'/common cleaver spread by contact.
We have enjoyed exploring the Wonderwood in our games of hide and seek, which have become more difficult as the weeks have gone on! We have discovered fruits, berries, seeds and leaves all in a variety of colours, and a wide variety of fungi, too, over the past few weeks; done some woodland management, clearing the dead growth of plants that are strangling our trees and done a little burning in the incinerator.
We loved getting creative with natural materials and thinking about woodland animals and hibernation.
We observed, first hand, the importance of light and water for good plant growth as we noticed the lack of growth underneath the tarpaulin shelter in the den area.
Most weeks, we have had a warming hot chocolate drink, made using the Kelly kettle, and the children have all tried very hard to light a 'fairy fire' using a flint and steel. We definitely have some very talented super strikers!
In our last session we sang 'London's burning, in a round, as we gathered to have our snack. It was great to hear our little woodland choir!
With perseverance and determination, we have mastered reef knots, and some managed a figure-of-eight knot. It was lovely to see children helping each other and sharing their skills once they had mastered the knots.
We have enjoyed exploring the Wonderwood in our games of hide and seek, which have become more difficult as the weeks have gone on! We have discovered fruits, berries, seeds and leaves all in a variety of colours, and a wide variety of fungi, too, over the past few weeks; done some woodland management, clearing the dead growth of plants that are strangling our trees and done a little burning in the incinerator.
We loved getting creative with natural materials and thinking about woodland animals and hibernation.
We observed, first hand, the importance of light and water for good plant growth as we noticed the lack of growth underneath the tarpaulin shelter in the den area.
Most weeks, we have had a warming hot chocolate drink, made using the Kelly kettle, and the children have all tried very hard to light a 'fairy fire' using a flint and steel. We definitely have some very talented super strikers!
In our last session we sang 'London's burning, in a round, as we gathered to have our snack. It was great to hear our little woodland choir!
With perseverance and determination, we have mastered reef knots, and some managed a figure-of-eight knot. It was lovely to see children helping each other and sharing their skills once they had mastered the knots.
Forest School Timetable 2019/20 (subject to change)
Autumn 1/2 : Rowan Year 2
Autumn 2: Holly Year 1
Spring 1/2: Sycamore Year 5
Spring 2/ Summer 1: Oak Year 3
Summer 1/2: Oak/Sycamore Year 4
Autumn 1/2 : Rowan Year 2
Autumn 2: Holly Year 1
Spring 1/2: Sycamore Year 5
Spring 2/ Summer 1: Oak Year 3
Summer 1/2: Oak/Sycamore Year 4
Information for Parents
Clothing
Each week, children will need:
Wellingtons/strong footwear
Long trousers
Long sleeved top
Jumper/fleece/sweatshirt
Waterproof coat (and trousers if available)
Hat, gloves, scarf, thick socks – if cool/cold
Sunhat/sunscreen – if warm and sunny
Old clothes are perfectly suitable – we will be getting grubby, and possibly damp, being outdoors!
Please ensure that you have completed, signed and returned the contact and consent form before the start of your child's FS sessions (see above timetable and letter for specific dates).
Thank you.
Mrs Mitchelmore (FSL)
Each week, children will need:
Wellingtons/strong footwear
Long trousers
Long sleeved top
Jumper/fleece/sweatshirt
Waterproof coat (and trousers if available)
Hat, gloves, scarf, thick socks – if cool/cold
Sunhat/sunscreen – if warm and sunny
Old clothes are perfectly suitable – we will be getting grubby, and possibly damp, being outdoors!
Please ensure that you have completed, signed and returned the contact and consent form before the start of your child's FS sessions (see above timetable and letter for specific dates).
Thank you.
Mrs Mitchelmore (FSL)
