Forest Schools has its contemporary origins in Scandinavian systems of education and came to the UK in the mid 1990’s. Occurring in an outdoor space children learn in an experiential and practical way and progress at their own pace. Emphasis is put upon developing and nurturing the ‘Whole Child’ through their social, emotional, intellectual, spiritual and physical development with children encouraged to take on a collaborative attitude towards each other. The relationship between the Forest School leader and child also differs from more traditional mainstream approaches. In Forest Schools the teacher works in partnership with the child and acts as a facilitator. Planning for future sessions occurs through observation, regular feedback from the children as well as the Forest School Leader having the autonomy to develop personal ideas.
I have created my own unique Forest School programme at Roots and Branches and examples of the main areas in which I work are documented below.
