Forest Schools

Forest Schools are an example of Outdoor Education. Forest schools were originated in Scandinavia in the early 20th century as a way of teaching about the natural world. In Forest Schools children will pay visits to woodlands and forest in order to improve their knowledge of the outdoors. Although only some schools are located closely to woodland areas, many schools will organise trips to the woodlands or forests as regularly as possible. 

Forest Education Iniative (2010) says, "Forest School is a long term developmental programme that takes place on a regular basis, typically once a week, for a minimum of 6 sessions, but usually longer." Forest schools are becoming more widespread throughout Wales and England and they are believed to have an holistic approach to education. For example, children will not focus on one single subject but will focus on a number of other skills that will help them achieve and grow in the future. Examples of these skills are personal skills such as teamwork and problem solving. Elements such as mathematics can also be included in the woodland environment which means the National Curriculum is also included. Forest School Wales (2013) state, "The Forest School ethos fundamentally acknowledges individual learning processes by supporting participants at their own pace and following their lead as they explore a safe and stimulating environment full of sensory diversity and variability." 

Forest schools are an example of child led-learning whereby the children are left to their own devices and have their own responsibilities within the woodland area. Forest schools also have elements of risk taking and as result this enhances the confidence of the child. Many schools across the UK are now adopting ideas of forest schools and are developing their own woodland areas within the schools grounds. Pupils tend to find outdoor learning more enjoyable and the experiences gained from forest schools promote the child's learning. The forest school experience encourages children to respect the outdoors and they are able to gain a further understanding of the world we live in. 

Also Margaret McMillan's theory of the outdoors was to promote healthy children in under privileged areas and underlined the importance of time and space for children to explore. (Bilton, 2010).

References

Bilton, H. (2010) Outdoor Learning in the Early Years 3rd Edition. New York: Routledge.

Forest Education Iniative (2010) What is Forest Schools? Retrieved April 19th 2013 from www.foresteducation.org/woodland_learning/forest_schools/ 
 
Forest School Wales (2013) Benefits of Forest School Retrieved April 19th 2013 from www.forestschoolwales.org.uk/ysgol-goedwigforest-school/benefits-of-forest-school/

Video Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VrDkTm8eqAg