Here at Glenthorne we are lucky enough to have our own Forest area, which is looked after by Mrs Scott, Mrs Bates and our pupils.

Forest School turns our woodland area into an outdoor classroom and natural playground. Using the natural environment for children to learn through play, the forest school provides practical activities to stimulate learning encompassed around the Forest School ethos.

Active outdoor experiences and games encourage children to explore whilst also increasing their understanding of the natural world around them and the impact we have upon it. All aspects of the curriculum can be explored outside. The sights, sounds and smells of the outdoors, the closeness to nature, the excitement most children feel, the wonder and curiosity all serve to enhance and stimulate learning. Children thrive when they learn outdoors; it can have a positive impact to their social skills as well as their mental health and wellbeing. Being outdoors and participating in team building activities also helps children gain valuable life skills.

We are very fortunate to have such a great community. We have innovated our forest area with the help from parents and local businesses. From parent’s hand crafting benches to businesses donating tyres, logs and soil.

Forest School Principles

Principle 1: Forest School is a long-term process of frequent and regular sessions in a woodland or natural environment, rather than a one-off visit. Planning, adaptation, observations and reviewing are integral elements of Forest School.

Principle 2: Forest School takes place in a woodland or natural wooded environment to support the development of a relationship between the learner and the natural world.

Principle 3: Forest School aims to promote the holistic development of all those involved, fostering resilient, confident, independent, and creative learners.

Principle 4: Forest School offers learners the opportunity to take supported risks appropriate to the environment and to themselves.

Principle 5: Forest School is run by qualified Forest School practitioners who continuously maintain and develop their professional practice.

Principle 6: Forest School uses a range of learner-centred processes to create a community for development and learning.

Some of the Forest School activities we do at Glenthorne;

*making natural paintbrushes

*building fairy houses

*taking risk's to build obstacle course/climbing

*health and safety songs and games to teach the children how we stay safe in the forest.

*scavenger hunts

*story telling

*mud kitchen play/ measuring / working together/potion making

*bug hotels

*sound maps (listening and attention activity)

*minibeast hunts

*plant/tree ID