Helping children access forest schools opens the gates to a magical classroom. They learn that nature is a place where creativity, confidence, and joy bloom.
Bamford Primary School is the latest to receive funding from the Alpkit Foundation. The school would like to train two members of staff to introduce, run and lead Forest Schools. The Forest School Initiative aims to engage and inspire individuals through providing positive experiences in a woodland environment, and in a sustainable way. As all sessions are child-led, pupils take responsibility for their own learning, a unique and valuable experience. Activities in the forest are designed to challenge the students, enabling each individual to reach their full potential. Shelter building, fire making, pond dipping and exploring the natural environment are all tasks which children can expect to undertake.
In order to run a Forest School session, you must obtain level 3 training, and to assist, level 2. At Bamford Primary, Forest Schools will allow the children to explore their local surroundings and will help to develop their personal, social, physical and ecological learning.
Kate explains why this is such an important project. “Forest School programmes are growing in popularity due to the evidence produced by schools who have taken this route.Although we live in a rural environment, many of our children do not have the opportunities to explore their local environment.As a school in the heart of the Peak District, this seems to be a great waste. Forest School promotes healthy lifestyle choices through offering opportunities for physical development, something which is not available during classroom based learning. I believe that this programme will help the school to promote a balanced programme of learning, support our efforts to raise standards of writing and communication and most importantly, help the children to foster a life-long love of learning and the outdoors.”
It is hoped that all children will be given this opportunity whilst attending Bamford Primary. The school would like help from the Alpkit Foundation to fund the training needed to run Forest Schools.