top of page

What is Forest School?

Forest School is a transformative outdoor learning experience that focuses on holistic development, encouraging children to achieve their full potential.

1.png
1.png
Through regular sessions in a natural setting, we foster holistic development, encouraging play, exploration, and supported risk-taking. Our child-centered approach empowers learners to discover their potential through hands-on activities that build confidence, self-esteem, and a deep connection to the natural world.
 

Forest School is an innovative, child-led learning approach that fosters confidence, resilience, creativity, and emotional intelligence through immersive outdoor experiences. Rooted in Scandinavian educational philosophies, this method embraces the power of nature to nurture children's development at their own pace.

 

Children explore, create, and connect with the natural world, building skills that support academic learning, social growth, and personal well-being.

​​

At its heart, Forest School is about freedom, exploration, and hands-on learning in nature. Sessions are designed to:

🌳 Encourage safe risk-taking – Children develop problem-solving skills and self-awareness by assessing challenges in a secure environment. Climbing, tool use, and fire-making empower them to build confidence.

🌳 Foster resilience and independence – Facing changing weather, working through tasks, and learning outdoor skills help children adapt, persist, and thrive.

🌳  Promote emotional intelligence – By nurturing self-awareness, empathy, and communication, Forest School supports children in managing emotions, resolving conflicts, and building positive relationships.

🌳  Enable child-led learning – Sessions follow the children's interests rather than a rigid curriculum, allowing for deeper engagement, creativity, and critical thinking.

🌳  Support all learners, including neurodiverse and gifted children – The adaptable, sensory-rich environment ensures every child can learn in a way that suits their unique strengths.

🌳  Encourage deep connections with nature – A love for the outdoors fosters respect, responsibility, and environmental awareness from an early age.

🌳 Prioritise trust and community – Strong relationships between children, facilitators, and peers create a sense of belonging, safety, and cooperation.

🎭 Understanding Learning Styles in Forest School

Forest School embraces Howard Gardner’s Theory of Multiple Intelligences, recognising that every child learns differently. By tailoring activities to different learning styles, children engage more deeply and meaningfully.

🌱 Types of Learners and How They Thrive in Forest School

🌿 Kinaesthetic Learners ("Learn by Doing")

  • Love hands-on activities, movement, and physical exploration.

  • Thrive through building shelters, climbing trees, digging, and crafting with tools.

🌿 Linguistic Learners ("Word Lovers")

  • Excel in verbal communication, storytelling, and written expression.

  • Enjoy nature-inspired storytelling, reflective journaling, and discussing discoveries.

🌿 Logical-Mathematical Learners ("Problem Solvers")

  • Love patterns, numbers, logic, and structured problem-solving.

  • Engage with tracking animal footprints, building structures, and testing outdoor experiments.

🌿 Interpersonal Learners ("Social Connectors")

  • Learn best through group work, collaboration, and social interaction.

  • Thrive in team-building activities, cooperative games, and peer-led challenges.

🌿 Intrapersonal Learners ("Deep Thinkers")

  • Have strong self-awareness and reflect deeply on emotions and experiences.

  • Enjoy mindful nature walks, journaling, and independent exploration.

🌿 Musical Learners ("Sound & Rhythm Lovers")

  • Connect through sounds, beats, and music.

  • Love creating nature-based music, mimicking bird songs, and rhythmic movement in nature.

🌿 Visual/Spatial Learners ("Creative Visionaries")

  • Excel in artistic expression, maps, and visualising patterns.

  • Love drawing in nature, designing natural sculptures, and navigating with maps.

🌿 Naturalistic Learners ("Nature Enthusiasts")

  • Have a deep appreciation for plants, animals, and the environment.

  • Enjoy foraging, studying insects, gardening, and observing seasonal changes.

 

Forest School honours all these learning styles, ensuring that every child feels valued, understood, and supported in their unique way of exploring the world.

🌦 "There’s No Such Thing as Bad Weather – Only Bad Clothing!"

Forest School runs year-round, embracing every season. Rain, snow, or sunshine – every condition presents a new opportunity to learn and grow. Proper outdoor gear ensures comfort and enjoyment in all weather.

🏕 A Safe and Supportive Outdoor Setting
While children are encouraged to explore and take risks, safety is always a top priority. Sessions are designed to balance adventure with structured guidance, allowing children to build confidence while staying secure.

📚 Enhancing Academic Learning
Forest School isn’t just about playing outside—it complements traditional education by:
✔️ Strengthening problem-solving and critical-thinking skills.
✔️ Improving fine and gross motor skills through hands-on tasks.
✔️ Boosting self-esteem, social confidence, and emotional resilience.
✔️ Supporting neurodiverse and high-ability learners in a sensory-rich environment.

🌟 The result? Happier, healthier, more engaged learners who develop a lifelong love for learning and nature.

Limited Spaces Available – Enroll Today! Give your child the gift of freedom, discovery, and confidence in the great outdoors.

Activities

Forest experience

  • Fire making

  • Building shelters

  • Cooking outside

  • Learning about nature

  • Mud painting and mud slides

  • Woodland walks

  • Natural weaving

  • Animal tracks and shelters

  • Learning knots

Creative Class

Art & Crafts

  • Painting on canvas

  • Drawing

  • Papier Mache

  • Pottery

  • Natural art and painting

  • Whittling and woodwork

  • Weaving and textiles

  • Printing

Children in Nature

Skill Development

  • Communication

  • Teamwork

  • Leadership

  • Resilience

  • Confidence

  • Emotional intelligence

  • Problem-solving

  • Creativity

  • Fine and gross motor skills

And more...
Learn about our activities here.

Forest Path
bottom of page