Forest School

We are very excited to have recently been granted significant funds to expand our outdoor learning provision. This investment will further enrich our current Forest School programme and as part of our commitment to promote healthier lifestyles for children enable us to make an even more stimulating environment for our young pupils to learn in.

Forest School is a cherished and much anticipated part of the school week for children in Reception and Years 1 and 2. It is an integral part of the Early Years and Key Stage One curriculum with classes making regular trips to our fabulous outdoor learning settings; either within our own beautiful school grounds or small, private woodland a short stroll away. 

Every day in Forest School is different as each session is completely child-lead. Chosen activities can range from building a simple but weatherproof woodland shelter to using natural sustainable materials for a creative project and from learning to use tools safely to simply sharing the discovery of an unsuspecting family of earwigs with friends. Whatever the children task themselves with on a given day, our Forest School is always a safe environment for them to take supported risks, test ideas, make mistakes, overcome challenges and question or rejoice in the natural world around them. 

We believe that exploring the great outdoors not only stimulates children’s natural curiosity, but makes other school subjects, such as literacy, numeracy and science topic work more relevant.  As the children gain new skills and knowledge outside the classroom, so they become excited about their learning which, in turn enhances their potential back inside the classroom.  As self-esteem grows, we often see children become more motivated to participate in classroom activities and confidently express their ideas in front of their peers.  We see other pupils clearly enjoying their improved physical stamina and motor skills whether that’s during PE lessons, on the sports field or out and about with friends during break times. Making decisions and not giving up when things don’t quite go to plan in Forest School are also essential skills the children need in life.

The happy bi-product of children directing their own learning through our Forest School programme, is ultimately, the emergence of more resilient, independent, confident and creative learners.  This, combined with our ability to satisfy the ongoing fascination children have with the natural world around them makes Forest School at Hawkhurst Primary, a very special place indeed.  It can also get a bit muddy, but as we all know – busy little explorers on important woodland missions are always going to get more than their hands dirty!

‘Forest School is an inspirational process, that offers ALL learners regular opportunities to achieve and develop confidence and self-esteem through hands-on learning experiences in a woodland or natural environment with trees’. Forest School Association