Our Outdoor Learning
At Bledington, we are so lucky to have a whole field, sensory garden, an outdoor classroom, a playground, a patio area and even our very own forest!
Forest School at Bledington
Forest School at Bledington is lead by Mrs Droy who is a Level 3 Forest School Practitioner. As well as teaching, Mrs Droy spent several years running outdoor environmental programmes and as a Scout Leader. She is very excited to be sharing her love of nature and the outdoors with our children. She is helped by other staff and fantastic Forest School Volunteers.
If you can spare some time on a Wednesday afternoon we'd love to hear from you - come and join in the forest fun!!
What is Forest School?
“Forest School is an inspirational process that offers children and young people opportunities to achieve, develop confidence and self esteem, through hands on learning experiences in a local woodland environment.”
National definition: by Forest School (England) Network.
Forest School has developed from the Scandinavian education system and is about children and young people building self esteem and independence through exploring and experiencing the natural world.
Each Forest School programme is tailored to meet the needs of individuals within that group and is continuously developed as the children/young people grow in confidence, skills and understanding.
The ethos of Forest Schools allows learners the time and space to develop skills, interests and understanding through practical, hands on experiences. It also allows practitioners to step back and observe the children in order to then encourage and inspire individuals to achieve.
What do we do?
Forest Schools will run all year round and in all weathers (unless weather conditions are dangerous). The child led ethos of Forest Schools means that once at the site the children can choose what to participate in, carefully supported and encouraged by adults. Possible activities may include:
- Preparing to go out by dressing in outdoor clothes such as waterproofs
- Sharing stories
- Hunting for minibeasts
- Natural crafts e.g. collages from natural materials
- Mud sculptures
- Shelter building and knot tying
- Tree climbing
- Using tools for a purpose – such as peeling bark from sticks with potato peelers to make toasting forks.
- Fire building
Keeping Safe at Forest School
The health and safety of all participants is central to everything done within a Forest Schools programme. Forest School leaders are trained in risk assessment and first aid.
Every Forest School will have; a Health and Safety policy; a seasonally and daily risk assessed site; risk assessments for activities; first aid and emergency equipment.
Some of the activities the children may participate in are ‘higher-risk activities’ (such as campfire cooking or tool use). However, these activities are not available to the children until certain behaviours and boundaries are established. Children are encouraged and supported in recognising and managing risk for themselves, through real life situations and experiences.
Our Forest School Handbook tells you everything you need to know about Bledington's Forest School.
What we'll be up to this year!
Autumn Term 2024
Forest School Handbook
Our Field
Our Sensory Garden
Our Outdoor Classroom
Patio and Playground
Infant Covered Area
For the best view of what we have to offer, watch our virtual tour!
Previous fun in the Forest.
2023-2024
Termly overview 2023 - 2024
Autumn in the Forest
We had lots of fun exploring the woods and playing together. We also enjoyed using the tools and developing our whittling and sawing skills.
Spring Term
In Spring Term we have used our imaginations to create all sorts of Forest play - including the Bledington Zip Wire and Forest Gnomes!
Summer Term
This term we are looking forward see the warmer weather and seeing the changes in the seasons. The flowers and leaves will be coming out and we'll look out for signs of spring and summer.
Take a look at the activities we get up to in the forest
