Forest School

"Forest School is an inspirational process that offers children and young people opportunities to achieve, develop confidence and self esteem, through hands on learning experiences in a local woodland environment."  National definition: by Forest School (England) Network

Health and Safety.

The health and safety of all participants is central to everything done within a Forest School programme. Forest School leaders are fully trained in risk assessment and emergency outdoor first aid. Forest School has; a Health and Safety policy; a seasonally and daily risk assessed site; risk assessments for activities; trained adult helpers; first aid and emergency equipment. Some of the activities the children may participate in are ‘higher-risk activities' (such as campfire cooking or tool use). However, these activities are only available to the children once certain behaviours and boundaries are established. Children are encouraged and supported in recognising and managing risk for themselves, through real life situations and experiences.

Dates and Events

Upcoming dates:

Easter shoe Parade: (like easter Bonner but with shoes!)

Thurs 29 March at 11.30 am, all family and friends welcome

2011 - 2012 Term Dates:

Term 3. 4 Jan - 10 Feb

Term 4. 21 Feb - 30 Mar

Term 5. 17 Apr - 1 Jun

Term 6. 11 Jun - 20 July

Ofsted Report

To see our recent Ofsted Report, please click here.

Contact Us

Address :
Postling Village Hall, Postling, Near Hythe CT21 4EU

Telephone :
07595 442557

Email :
info@badgersbridge.co.uk

Badgers Bridge Forest School

What is Forest School?
Forest School has developed from the Scandinavian education system and is about children and young people building self esteem and independence through exploring and experiencing the natural world. Forest School sessions will be run throughout the year by trained practitioners, within a natural environment (not necessarily a Forest!). Forest School is a mixture of learning new skills (e.g. knot tying) and exploring whilst playing in the outdoors. The sessions are planned to meet the needs of individuals to ensure that children grow in self-confidence and understanding.

The ethos of Forest School encourages practical, hands-on experiences. It also allows teachers to step back and observe the children in order to then encourage and inspire them to achieve.

Where will my child be going?

Our Forest School, 'Badgers in the Woods' is in privately owned woods near Lyminge. The woods are managed with 4 working areas to promote learning in a safe risk assessed site. Badgers Sett is our free play and picnic area; Minibeast Mount is where we hunt for minibeats and build wildlife habitats; Fox Hole is our mark making area and our Fire Pit area is where we learn to be safe around fire. Our site has been thoroughly risk assessed ensuring that current health and Safety guidelines are being followed. All sessions will be led by a trained Forest School Leader.

Forest School will run all year round and in all weathers (unless weather conditions are dangerous). The child led ethos of Forest Schools means that once at the site the children can choose what to participate in, carefully supported and encouraged by trained adults.  Forest School activities vary depending on the season.

They may include:

  • • Hunting for and creating home for minibeasts
  • • Natural crafts - crowns, dreamcatchers or collages from natural materials, weaving with long grasses, etc
  • • Mud sculptures
  • • Shelter building and knot tying
  • • Tree climbing
  • • Mark making on tree bark
  • • Story telling and singing

Sessions are planned around the individual's and group's needs, and built upon each week. All Forest School Leaders are qualified through nationally recognised and accredited training, therefore ensuring Forest School is a high quality learning experience. The earlier sessions will concentrate on safety; establishing boundaries and routines. As the children develop in confidence and familiarity with the environment the sessions focus on developing and reinforcing skills and understanding. We will regularly share your child's experiences at Forest School with you and would love to hear what they say about the sessions.

What benefits will my child get from participating in Forest Schools?

Forest Schools supports the holistic development of the child:

  • • Health and fitness - Being active in an outdoor, natural environment.
  • • Increased emotional wellbeing - Being confident and self-reliant.
  • • Social development - Communicating, and negotiating with children and adults to solve problems and share experiences.
  • • Skills development - Developing fine and gross motor skills and coordination for real purposes.
  • • Gaining knowledge and understanding - Using all of our senses, problem solving and real-life learning.
  • • Individualised learning - Careful observation allows adults to tailor support to children's own interests and stage of development.
  • • Curriculum Links - Forest School supports many areas of the Early Years Foundation Stage framework, National Curriculum, World Wide curriculum and the Every Child Matters agenda.