Forest School
Forest school
At Duston Eldean primary school we operate our own forest school sessions from within our school grounds. We have our own mature woodland, orchards and pond, which the children can access within a Forest School outdoor learning experience.
Our forest school Level 3 leaders are:
Miss Gizzi – Foundation Stage Mrs York – Year 1 Mrs Holt – SEND
Our Vision
Our vision at Duston Eldean Primary School is to create a passion for the natural world around us. We help children to develop an understanding and respect for wildlife, plants and the woodland and hope to ignite a lifelong passion for preserving and protecting nature.
The forest school sessions are a long-term, nature-based learning programme which promotes holistic development and inspires each child to connect with themselves and the world around them. Forest School ignites the intrinsic motivation of wanting to achieve results for each child's own individual happiness through a child centred learning approach. It enriches and builds children's confidence self-esteem independence and social emotional well-being, supporting the children's curriculum through all key stages.
Forest school sessions run throughout the year in all seasons and weather conditions.
A typical session could include:
- Den building
- Team building games
- Problem solving
- Natural weaving
- Mud sculpting
- Natural art
- Treasure hunts
- Whittling
- Making fire
- Cooking on a fire
- Environmental games
The Six Principles
- Forest School is a long-term process of regular sessions, and follows the cycle of planning, observation, adaptation and review linking each session.
- 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.
- Forest School uses a range of learner-centred processes to create a community for development and learning.
- Forest School aims to promote the holistic development of all involved, fostering resilient, confident, independent and creative learners.
- Forest School offers learners the opportunity to take supported risks appropriate to the environment and to themselves.
- Forest school is run by qualified forest school practitioners.