Forest School is one of the reasons why parents choose The March CE Primary School. Children are in Forest School for one day per week and undertake activities including literacy and numeracy in an outdoor setting. They go in all weathers (except high winds). Please ensure that your child has warm, waterproof clothing and footwear.  Even if the weather is warm, the children do need to wear long trousers for protection to prevent getting prickled or nettled. Forest school has had a very positive impact on the resilience and collaboration of the children.

The philosophy of Forest Schools is to encourage and inspire individuals of any age through positive outdoor experiences.

By participating in engaging, motivating and achievable tasks and activities in a woodland environment, each child has an opportunity to develop intrinsic motivation, sound emotional and social skills. These, through self awareness, can be developed to reach personal potential.

Forest Schools has demonstrated success with children of all ages who visit the same local woodlands on a regular basis and through play, who have the opportunity to learn about the natural environment, how to handle risks and most importantly to use their own initiative to solve problems and co-operate with others.  Children use full-sized tools, play, learn boundaries of behaviour; both physical and social, establish and grow in confidence, self-esteem and become self-motivated.

For more information about the Forest School philosophy, please click here.

About Forest School
 

Forest School encompasses Accelerated Learning, which is the most advanced approach to learning in use today. At The March, we have been very fortunate to be supported in this theory by Rolls-Royce who have enabled us to explore this learning approach. We have noticed that our 4 and 5-year old's in Reception are engaged in problem-solving skills, are developing independent thinking and most importantly, are able to communicate and share. The outdoor environment is crucial to including and encouraging learning styles that develop children’s skills in decision-making, cooperation and team-work.

One of our favourite quotes is that there is no such thing as bad weather, just inappropriate clothing.

Children should provide their own Wellington boots that are kept in school. The March School will provide waterproof clothing and other Personal Protective Equipment as necessary.

Ideally, you should wear old, comfortable clothing. Long sleeved shirts and long trousers are essential as well as; comfortable shoes/trainers, a good waterproof jacket, waterproof trousers if it is really wet and a hat (either woolly or sun, depending on the weather!)

Wet weather gear is available for children, but we encourage your own to be provided.

Forest School Programmes operate all year round regardless of weather conditions (excluding severe wind and storms). The Forest School leader will make a risk assessment based on the weather for each individual session and act accordingly.