Forest School
FOREST SCHOOL/YSGOL GOEDWIG
“The best classroom and the richest cupboard is roofed only by the sky”
(McMillan, 1925)
Learning in the Forest at Pembrey School
What is Forest School?
Forest school is an inspirational process that offers children regular opportunities to achieve, develop confidence and self-esteem, through hands-on learning experiences in a local woodland environment.
Forest School is taught by a qualified teacher and Forest School Leader and all staff hold First Aid and enhanced DBS certificates.
Where do Forest School sessions take place?
At Pembrey School, we are very fortunate to have our own Forest area within the school grounds. It was set up in 2016 and the children helped with both the design and build. Every class was involved in the setting up of the area and the children feel that they created the Forest School themselves.
What are our aims?
- To build upon self-confidence.
- To provide opportunities for mindfulness, reflection and well-being.
- To instil an understanding and respect for the natural world.
- To teach children about sustainability.
- To teach children how to use tools safely and effectively.
How can Forest School support children’s learning?
Forest School staff work alongside class teachers to provide activities which enhance those taking place in the classroom.
In the digging area, the children use their imaginations to create structures like underground dens, dinosaur worlds, fairy gardens or road outlines. They experiment with wet and dry sand, dig holes and build bridges, construct air raid shelters and create and compare the heights of mountains built to scale.
The children learn how to use tools safely. They use saw horses and bowsaws to cut logs and branches. They use penknives to whittle sticks and secateurs to trim foliage. The older children build structures for the younger children. Recent projects include a model castle, a café, a shop and a car wash.
The children have learned to be protective of the wildlife around our school. They watch eggs hatching and follow the progress of baby birds until they fledge. They make posters requesting visitors to be quiet, as well as researching facts about birds. In the same way, the children protect hedgehogs found on site and also show care and concern for creatures they find during the forest school sessions. They use magnifying glasses and binoculars to spot the wildlife around them. They make bird food and construct bird boxes and take part in bird watching projects.
The children plant new trees and bulbs and carry out weeding and pruning to maintain the area. They learn to identify and name spring bulbs and common flowers, plants and trees. The children enjoy raking and clearing leaves and they have constructed a compost area for recycling natural materials. They learn about seasons and weather. They also study the geography and history of the local coastal area through stories and visits.
They create art using natural materials and find out about artists who do the same. They make maps, pictures and patterns. They make their own paintbrushes from twigs and leaves and they draw and write with charcoal, which is produced when they make campfires.
We do lots of maths activities in Forest school. The children measure objects using sticks and find out why we need standard measures. They undertake data collection and create graphs and charts.
They use thermometers to measure the rate at which hot water loses heat outside and create natural ice sculptures.
The children use compasses to create their own treasure maps and build signposts.
The children love cooking and eating outside. They grow their own potatoes and make flat bread and cook these on the campfire and of course, they enjoy toasting marshmallows.
They keep fit and healthy jumping over the logs on the trim trail, swinging on the swing and playing hide and seek.
Creating a calm, happy environment is now more important than ever for children’s wellbeing. They listen to classical music and enjoy singing songs accompanied by the guitar. They watch the flames of the fire and listen to and act out stories.
At Pembrey, our Forest School provides us with opportunities to collaborate, to cooperate, to care for our environment and the creatures within it, to be imaginative, to be skilful, to persevere, to be calm, to exercise, to express our creativity and to have lots and lots of fun.