Forest School, CPD & Inset Training

About the Forest School ethos 

Forest School is a highly beneficial learning ethos, based on a range of educational research from a variety of countries for over 70 years.

In its essence, Forest School breaks down into 6 key principles. 

• Child-Led: The learners are responsible for their own learning, which may or may not come from a leader’s role modelling of activities. They can choose what and when they engage with.  

• Risky: Forest School offers the opportunity to take risks in a monitored environment, so the learners can begin to manage their own risks.  
• Natural setting: It takes place in an outdoor natural environment, such as a woodland, copse or school field.  
• Holistic: The assessment of learners during Forest School focuses not only on academic ability, but also communication, social and emotional skills, as well as a spiritual element.  
• Long term: Forest School takes place of a long period of time, to enable the development of relationships and tailor planning to each individual.  
• Trained professional leading: Forest School needs to be led by a qualified Level 3 Forest School practitioner.