Forest School
Welcome to our Forest School information page!
The idea of Forest Schools came from Scandinavia, where outdoor living is part of everyday life. The Scandinavian people believe that nature and movement are the key factors in development, and the children there spend at least one day a week outside, in all weathers. They are engaged in learning activities, harnessing the skills that involve respecting the environment whilst looking after themselves and others around them.
The Forest School initiative was born in the UK after a visit & study to Denmark in the 1990’s, by the Nursery Nursing Department at Bridgewater College, and is becoming an increasingly popular way of learning in an outdoor classroom.
At Pelton Community Primary School, we are very fortunate to have a safe and accessible forest area in our own grounds and this will be used as our base for learning. An important part of Forest Schools is that children experience the outdoor environment in all weathers – with the exception of very high winds or thunder storms. Activities are very much child initiated & led, and using the main curriculum, activities will be tailored to the age and ability. With traditional boundaries removed, the children are encouraged to set their own boundaries and be responsible for each other and their surroundings.
Forest Schools activities will teach children about:
- caring for, managing & understanding the woodland environment
- using different hand tools, starting with potato peelers
- creating a ‘camp’ fire and the associated safety aspects
- building a shelter using the materials we have available in the wood as well tarpaulins
- using a a Kelly Kettle to provide us with a warm drink
Forest School Aims:
- Promote self worth, esteem & independence
- Instill a sense of pride and an ‘I can’ attitude
- Encourage team work
- Develop vital communication & social skills
- Create a positive experience
Pelton Community School wins Bronze!
Pelton Community Primary School have been awarded a Bronze Award for getting involved in green activities including tree planting, visiting a local woodland, reducing carbon emissions and recycling.
The Green Tree Schools initiative, which has seen more than 12,000 schools sign up since it was launched in 2008, offers the opportunity to bring the great outdoors, wildlife and green issues into the classroom.
Schools win awards for participating in green activities, which include tree planting, reducing carbon emissions and recycling. Pelton Primary School has planted new trees in their school grounds, visited local woods, were involved in recycling projects and joined in various other Woodland Trust activities.
Miss Bakker the Forest School Leader said: “The children have worked so hard achieving this and it has taught them so much about our environment and how to look after it”
Karen Letten, Woodland Trust schools and communities engagement manager, added:
“The scheme promotes a range of opportunities, each designed to stimulate a child’s imagination and sustain their interest in woods and trees. The achievements of the school are recognised through an awards scheme in which they receive points for taking part in activities. As they reach milestones within the project they will receive bronze and silver certificates and then an attractive wooden plaque which acknowledges they’ve achieved the environmental accolade of a gold award. I hope Pelton Community Primary School will now consider going for our next accolade, the silver award.”
The Woodland Trust’s vision is to see a UK rich in native woods and trees for people and wildlife. The charity is dedicated to creating new woodland with help from communities and schools, and protecting and restoring ancient woodland for future generations to cherish.
We are also very proud to have achieved the woodland trusts Green school award.