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Forest School at LEAP

What is Forest School? 

Forest School is outdoor education in which children spend time in the outdoors, it can be in a forest, marsh, park or garden learning personal, social and technical skills. At LEAP we are proud to offer our children a fantastic Forest School experience, within our own school grounds and utilising the local spaces of Hackney Marshes, Stoke Newington  and London Fields. We understand the huge benefits of Forest School and have developed a superb provision, which delivers a high-quality programme of adventure activities for young minds.  

Forest School is an exciting opportunity for your child to experience nature, explore and play. It offers them regular opportunities to achieve and develop confidence and self-esteem. At Forest School, children learn through practical hands-on activities that develop important life skills including: resilience, independence and responsibility. These are skills that will help them in all areas of their school life and beyond. 

“Forest School is an inspirational process, which offers ALL learners regular opportunities to achieve and develop confidence and self-esteem, through hands-on learning experiences in a woodland or natural environment. Forest School is a specialised learning approach that sits within and compliments the wider context of outdoor and woodland education.”    Forest School Association 

"Not all classrooms have four walls" 

 

Why is forest school good for my child? 

Through our Forest Schools Curriculum our children will: 

  • Learn to be resilient 
  • Use tools safely including using items found in the woodland  
  • Find and explore new ways of learning  
  • Pursue knowledge that interests them  
  • Build confidence in decision making and evaluating risk  
  • Understand the benefits of being outdoors  
  • Regularly experience achievement and success  
  • Reflect on their learning and experiences  
  • Develop their communication skills and vocabulary  
  • Improve fine and gross motor skills  
  • Improve concentration and problem-solving skills  
  • Study and identify local flora and fauna  
  • Work collaboratively 

Forest School develops skills such as: 

Communication 

Perseverance 

Resilience 

Responsibility 

Independence 

Inquisitiveness 

Social skills 

Your child will also have the opportunity to practice and use their numeracy and literacy skills, link their learning to science topics and develop their speaking and listening skills. 

How do we keep the children safe? 

We have fully qualified Forest School Leaders who deliver Forest School across all our schools and members of staff who support sessions are all qualified  in first  aid. All our Early years staff have received training in Forest school activities. The sites being used will have been carefully assessed and the children will be given detailed training for all of the activities. 

Part of forest school is teaching children about risks and how to evaluate them. The children will be taught about how to add fuel to a fire, cook and make drinks using a fire, climb trees and use tools. These activities will be introduced as the children in the group are ready for them and will be carefully supervised by an adult. By allowing children to take these measured risks, we help to prepare them for making choices when they are older and teach them to be actively responsible for themselves, their choices and actions. 

Appropriate clothing required for Forest School: 

 ‘There is no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothing’ Forest School session will go ahead whatever the weather. Your child will be required to wear appropriate clothing that will keep them warm, dry and protected. In the event of severe weather conditions (high winds, thunder storms or any extreme weather) the session will be postponed. 

  • Old jogging bottoms/trousers (not jeans) 
  • Old jumper 
  • Hat 
  • Gloves 
  • Waterproof jacket and ideally waterproof trousers 
  • Wellington boots or old trainers with thick socks 

Forest School and Outdoor Learning at LEAP  

All Nursery, Reception and Year One children access the forest school programme each year. There are also extra sessions after school and in our holiday camps.  We are very lucky to have received grants from a variety of sources that have enabled us to train staff and resource our sessions.  

Our Programme 

Nursery

Autumn Spring Summer
Vocabulary Vocabulary Vocabulary
Oak Tree Caterpillar Push
Acorn Cocoon Pull
Bramble Butterfly Melt
Blackberries Spider Explode
Crunchy Spring Toast
Windy Dandelions Fire
Autumn Bluebells Steel
Resilient Buds Paracord
Wet Daffodils Dock Leaf
Frosty Splash Meadow
Icy Leaf/Leaves Squelch Woodland
Autumn Catkins Axe
Discover Ivy Bow Saw
Imagination Goose Grass Loppers
  Nettles Nettle
    Branch
    Twig
    Stick
    Warmth
Activities Activities Activities

Mud play, Grass Party Leaf Party, Autumn leaf hats, Den Building, weaving with natural objects, Bark Rubbings, Natural construction, cooking on an open fire (Adult and child 1-1 or 1-2 ratio) Park Walks.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                

 

Mud play, Den Building, cooking on an open fire (Adult and child 1-1 or 1-2 ratio) Park Walks, Hide and Seek, making animal habitat's/bug hotels, Potions Laboratory, Clay Play, Off the floor, Preparing a vegetable patch. 

 

Mud play, Den Building, Shelter building, cooking on an open fire (Adult and child 1-1 or 1-2 ratio) Popcorn and Toast, Woodland Walks, Hide and Seek, Demonstration of Tools, Knot Tying, Cloud Gazing, Mini Beast Hunt, Picnic, Looking after the vegetable patch 

 

Outcomes Outcomes Outcomes

We will look for autumnal and winter changes.  

We will access and experience the outdoors in all weathers.  

We will respect the natural world around us.  

We will explore, discover and initiate our own learning taking manageable risks.  

We will develop our movement and balancing. 

 

 

 

 

 

We will observe winter and spring changes.  

We will develop our own ideas when choosing materials to create.  

We will begin to use a wider range of vocabulary to talk about what we see. We will begin to understand the need to respect and care for the natural environment. 

We will begin to take part in group activities. 

We will develop our physical skills. During free play we will begin to work with our friends extending play using our interests to support this. 

 

We will observe spring and summer changes.  

During play we will be able to make suggestions and find solutions to help avoid conflict and rivalry.  

We will begin to show understanding of ‘Why’ questions.  

During play we will use talk to organise ourselves.  

Using a variety of resources, we will make complex and imaginative small worlds. We will explore and talk about different forces we can feel. Through fire pit cooking we will discuss materials and how they can change.  

We will be able to collaborate with others to manage tasks and access suitable resources to achieve this. 

Reception

Autumn Spring Summer
Vocabulary Vocabulary Vocabulary
Harvest Spring Spring
Blustery Winter Summer
Deciduous Life Cycle Heat
Fungi Mini Beast Safety
Crisp Planting Overhand
Oak Tree Sowing Knot
Sycamore Tree Para cord Stopper
Season Butterfly Knot
Chilly Life Cycle Loops
Bleak Beetle Fire
Glistening Lime Tree Steel
Bulbs Male and Female Woodland
Shoot Catkins Axe
Nocturnal Alder Tree Bow Saw
Bow Saw Bow Saw Loppers
Loppers Loppers Footprint
Woodland Woodland High
Axe Axe Low
    Growth
    Hydrate
    Nest
    Hole
    Dark
Activities Activities Activities

Mud play, Grass Party, Leaf Party, Den and Shelter Building, Natural Construction, cooking on an open fire (Adult and child 1-1 or 1-2 ratio) Woodland Walks Planting bulbs Autumnal Art Animal Footprint Tunnels Bird Feeders Demonstrated Tool Work 

 

Mud play Den and Shelter Natural Construction Cooking on an open fire (Adult and child 1-1 or 1-2 ratio) –pancakes, hot chocolate, Woodland Walks Potato Peel Whittling Looking after the school garden Making Bug Hotels Knot tying Rope Swings Tool Demonstrations Assisted Tool Work Bark Rubbings 

 

Mud play Shelter Building Natural Construction Cooking on an open fire (Adult and child 1-1 or 1-2 ratio) hot dogs Woodland Walks Looking after the school garden Knot tying- making ladders Rope Swings Assisted Tool Work Forage to make birds’ nests Revisit Animal Track Tunnels Climbing Trees Bug Hotel Investigation Assisted Fire Steel Lighting 

 

Outcomes Outcomes Outcomes

We will learn about autumnal and winter changes.  

We will access and experience the outdoors in all weathers.  

We will respect the natural world around us.  

We will explore, discover and initiate our own learning taking manageable risks. We will identify an oak and sycamore tree.  

We will learn how to plant bulbs.  

We will explore colour and texture in the natural world.  

We will develop our strength and balance and move in lots of different ways.  

We will respond by asking questions and making comments. 

We will learn about Nocturnal animals. 

We will learn about winter and spring changes.  

We will notice what happens to some plants and animals during winter and spring.  

We will learn about life cycles of some mini beasts.  

We will learn how to grow vegetables and where in world our food comes from. We will access and experience the outdoors in all weathers.  

We will respect the natural world around us. We will explore, discover and initiate our own learning taking manageable risks.  

We will identify an Alder Tree.  

We will start to become independent learners and not give up when we face a challenge.  

We will develop our strength and balance and coordination. 

 

 

We will learn about spring and summer changes.  

We will set goals and try our best to achieve these.  

We will be confident to try new activities, show independence and resilience when facing a challenge.  

We give focused attention and follow instructions.  

We will be aware of others whilst we are moving and climbing.  

We will develop our strength, balance and coordination.  

We will use a wide variety of natural materials to construct and model, for a purpose.  

We will use paracord to join.  

We will use tools assisted with an adult. We will learn about different animal habitats. 

 

 

Year 1 

Autumn Spring Summer
Vocabulary Vocabulary Vocabulary
Leaves Sun Sun
Acorn Rain Flower
Crisp Wind Grass
Brisk Blossom Tree
Windy Bud Leaf
Rainy Leaf Bug
Red Twig Bee
Orange Green Butterfly
Brown Flower Warm
Harvest Nest Hot
Squirrels Bird Picnic
Hedgehogs Worm Explore
Conkers Puddle Build
And Larvae Happy
Raking Mud Excited
Autumnal Tree Imagine
Chilly Path Rope
Cosy Plant Stick
Earthy Ash Shelter
Foggy Silver Birch Teamwork
Frosty Elderflower Elderflower
Turkey Oak London Plane Tree  Parakeets
Bletting Hawthorne Tree Garden insects
Medlar Tree Ladybirds Crown Orbweaver Spider
Oak Bumble Bee Garden Snail
    Bumble Bee
Activities Activities Activities

Leaf Identification and Collection, Wildlife Observation, Scavenger Hunts, Autumnal Changes, Nature Diary, cooking on an open fire (Adult and child 1-1 or 1-2 ratio), Woodland Walks, using tools. Story telling 

 

Mud Play, Nature Soundscapes, Leaf Rubbings and identification, Outdoor Games, Building with Natural Materials, Storytelling, Cooking on an open fire (Adult and child 1-1 or 1-2 ratio), 

 

Scavenger hunts, building bug hotels, mini-dens, natural painting, making nature crowns, engaging with the senses through nature walks, using natural materials for art projects, storytelling, tree Climbing 

 

Outcomes Outcomes Outcomes

We will learn about the Medlar tree, its fruit and the bletting process; We will Look for signs of animals preparing for winter (nests, food stores); We will organize hunts for specific leaves, acorns, and pinecones; We will discuss and observe how the forest changes during autumn, noting the falling leaves, shorter days, and changes in animal behaviour, creating a better understanding of the natural world around us. 

We will learn more about Improving our Social Skills. Learn to understand the impact of our actions on others by work cooperatively, and negotiating with peers. 

We will enhance our language and communication skill by listening and taking turns during story telling sessions. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We will engage in activities like making mud pies, exploring textures, and using mud to create art, allowing for messy, sensory exploration. 

We will listen to the sounds of nature and create our own soundscapes using natural materials   

We will Create leaf rubbings on paper using crayons, capturing the interesting details of leaves.  

We will play games that promote teamwork, problem-solving, and physical activity, like nature-themed charades helping to improve our social skills, understanding the impact of our action on others whilst negotiating with our peers. 

We will be using our spatial reasoning and problem-solving skills.  

We will use the outdoor environment as inspiration for storytelling, encouraging creativity and imagination.  

We will be building on our confidence and self-esteem by being independent through freedom time.  

We will learn to understand the impact of their actions on others by cooperative work, and negotiate with peers.  

We will use more sophisticated language through sensory and visual learning, asking questions and storytelling.  

We will gain more stamina and gross motor skills through free movement and exploration whilst making and through our nature walks 

We will have a deeper respect for our environment and an interest in our surroundings.  

We will learn to assess and manage risks appropriately through hands-on activities. 

 

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