What are forest schools?

All you need to know about nature

Forest schools are education centres which focus your child at the centre of learning, using the natural environment to encourage exploration. Each child might be interested in a different aspect of nature and learning, and it is the practitioner’s job to develop this intuitive exploration, nurturing each child’s own curiosity rather than simply leading exercises.

This is a holistic education approach which allows selfdevelopment for children by letting them approach risk and problem-solving at their own rate, at their own comfort level. Forest schools are usually for younger children, though there could be benefits to teenagers spending time in the natural environment too.

The key principles of a forest school include child-led learning. Rather than traditional education systems, which rely on a syllabus and teacher-led learning, forest schools encourage the curiosity and interests of your kids. The children can explore as they like, using the natural textures of the landscape to educate themselves about the world around them. Another key principle of a forest school is the respect and understanding of nature. Forest schools, as the name suggests, take place outside. The environment must be wide enough to encourage exploration and to enable easy monitoring, to protect the safety of your children.

Education through a forest school system fosters confidence in your children. This will allow your child to develop a strong sense of self, set their own boundaries and gain a better understanding of their role in interactions with the environment.

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