A Forest School provision in school gives all children the chance to connect with nature, learn new skills, have fun and appreciate the natural world around us.
Laura has worked with Primary schools in Sussex over the last 5 years. Laura currently runs... Woodland After School club Wallands Community Primary and nursery school Monday's 3pm - 5pm
Laura offers: One to one/PA outdoor nature sessions for children with special educational needs
For children aged 5 - 10 years old
Family respite
Walks, den building, adventures in the woods or natural space
Calm, patient, and fun approach, activities to fit around your child's needs and interests
Can pick up and drop off
2 - 4 hour sessions, once a week/once a fortnight
DBS, business car insurance
Hourly rate
What to expect from a Forest School programme in School.
Taster session
Year round regular weekly and termly sessions in your setting
6 week block - each year group will have a term of Forest School each year as a minimum
Small SEN sessions
One to one SEN sessions
After school clubs
Sessions within site grounds
Nurseries - sessions off site in a nearby woodland/green space
Sessions can be 1.5 hours as a minimum, mornings or afternoon session 1.5 hours to 3 hours or a full day. Setting up: An initial consultation regarding your requirements, timings, group size, group experience and ability, any children with SEN, paper work confirmed between parties, site visit, risk assessments completed, payment arrangements, start dates, themes, subjects, curriculum, meeting staff. Discussion about child allergies, equipment, storage.
Delivery: Session plan devised and shared with staff. All resources will be provided, or use of your own equipment if agreed. Laura will introduce activities to the group in order to stimulate interest and give the group ideas to develop themselves. A typical session will include a mix of physical activities, craft activities, games, challenges and stories as well as free time to explore.The program will have a progression of learning depending on the ability of the children to give children the opportunity to build their skills when they are ready through small achievable tasks.
Specific activities vary hugely and a definitive list is not possible, although typical examples will include:
Safe fire lighting and fire management.
Walks, exploration
Simple cooking and hot drinks
Sculpture and pictures using woodland materials.
Stories with themes on the natural world
Woodcraft activities using simple hand tools and natural resources such as green wood and other plant material.
Natural play trails or rope trails
Den building with natural resources or tarpaulins.
Buckets and digging tools for earth and mud play
Games to promote environmental awareness.
As the weeks progress, and the children become familiar with their outdoor space, the safe routines of Forest School, and the possibilities open to them, they are encouraged to initiate their own play and develop ideas at their own pace. Forest School leaders are trained to observe the children as individuals and to appreciate individual learning styles. This enables them to facilitate further learning and progression through provision of appropriate support. After the session: Laura will review the session, discussions and feedback with staff is very important to ensure following sessions follow a child lead approach. A short time set aside to review after the session either in person or via email is essential. To discuss Forest School sessions for your setting, for a full CV or if you have any questions at all please contact Laura.