We hope to spend some time over the next few years to build up a Forest School at Stanton Cross Primary School. This will provide children with an opportunity to experience learning in an outdoor environment through play and exploration. We have already started to have a think at how this will look and how we could develop it. If any parents or friends have any links with gardeners and so forth to help develop an area, please do get in contact with us as we would love for the whole community to help in getting this up and running for our children.
Our Aim
The aim and intention is for Forest School to take place each week, with a continuous cycle of planning, observation, adaptation and review. We will create a small woodland in the school grounds, which will be used primarily, alongside regular opportunities to visit and explore the local larger woodland areas in the Stanton Cross area.
The aim is to support a relationship between the children and the natural world. This will involve gaining more knowledge alongside developing respect for the natural environment, which in turn, helps to develop their confidence to learn through play, exploration and taking supported risks appropriate to the environment and themselves.
Forest School at Stanton Cross Primary will follow a learner-centred approach. Each session will be guided by the children’s interests, and individual needs. Activities will be planned with this in mind; however, the learning outcome will be guided by the children.
Children will be encouraged to follow their interests and expand on their own ideas. The children will be taught new skills which they can use as part of their play and exploration of the natural environment.
Forest School will offer the opportunities to support learning in all areas of development, it offers a holistic approach to learning. At Stanton Cross Primary School we aim to develop learners who are confident, resilient, independent and creative. We believe as a school that by developing a Forest School area, this will enhance our children’s learning and skills.
Some amazing examples we'd love to emulate:
Feniton Primary School, Honiton
Woodlands Primary School, Tonbridge
Ferndale Primary School and Nursery, Swindon