"Must we always teach our children with books? Let them look at the stars and the mountains above. Let them look at the trees and the flowers on Earth. Then they will begin to think, and to think is the beginning of a real education." – David Polis
 

Learning beyond the classroom' is so important to us at Broomhill and a great place to develop this is through our Forest School sessions.

The Forest School Vision

A Forest School is a long-term outdoor education process that is holistic and learner-led. It allows children to develop themselves through healthy engagement with risk, problem-solving and self-discovery, all within a natural environment in a hands-on and thoughtful manner. All forms of outdoor education are valuable, but Forest Schools have their own philosophies and ethos that benefit children in unique ways.

Forest School is an innovative educational approach to outdoor play and learning. The philosophy of Forest Schools is to encourage and inspire individuals of any age through positive, hands-on learning in a woodland environment. Children participate in engaging, motivating and achievable tasks helping develop their personal, social and emotional skills, including:
 

• Confidence – communication skills
• Raised self-esteem – problem solving
• Independence – teamwork
• Imagination – self-discovery
   

The vision of Forest School is to enable each participant to have the opportunity to develop themselves in an inquisitive manner and have a positive relationship with the natural world. Forest School places an emphasis on self-reflection, which equips learners with emotional and social skills that can stay with them into adulthood and permeate into other areas of their life.

Benefits of Forest School

Research has shown that children can benefit in a multitude of ways ranging from confidence to social, emotional, intellectual, physical and language development (Murray & O'Brien, 2005).
 

Case studies have shown children can:

• Develop self-regulation skills
• Cope with and learn from failure
• Build resilience (the skill of coping with risk and failure)
• Gain a sense of achievement
• Increase motivation and concentration
• Improve problem solving
• Expand their vocabulary and communication skills
• Feel empowered and have new perspectives
• Build positive relationships with adults and peers
• Have overall improved wellbeing and mental health
   

Forest School can increase a child's confidence and self-esteem through exploration, problem solving, and being encouraged to learn how to assess and take appropriate risks depending on their environment. The use of learner-led outcomes means information is retained better and also generally increases curiosity and motivation to learn in general. This motivation can have a positive impact on attitude to learning in school.
 

Learners also gain a respect for nature through many small interactions and noticing changes around them through the seasons. Providing students with an opportunity to appreciate the wider, natural world encourages a responsibility for nature conservation in later life.

Forest School Leaders at Broomhill

Mr Langford completed Level 3 Forest School Leaders course in 2016. One of the first tasks he completed was to work closely with Mr Plaskitt to create a Forest School area on our school field that the children – across all year groups – access throughout the school year … come rain or shine!
 

How Forest School Develops our 5Rs

At Broomhill, our 5Rs underpin everything we do, and Forest School is the perfect environment to develop these values:
 

Relationships

Forest School naturally develops positive relationships amongst all our Broomhill Family. Children work together to build dens, solve problems, and support each other during challenges. They learn to communicate effectively, share resources, and celebrate each other's successes. 
 

Reflective

Being reflective helps children continuously improve. After each Forest School session, children reflect on what they've learned, what went well, and what they might do differently next time. Whether it's improving their knot-tying technique or thinking about how to make their den more stable, children constantly evaluate and refine their skills.

Respect

Forest School teaches respect for ourselves, others, and the natural world. Children learn to respect the environment by caring for plants and animals, leaving the site as they found it, and understanding the impact of their actions. They respect each other's ideas and contributions, and follow safety rules that protect everyone in the group.

Resilience

Being resilient when things get difficult is at the heart of Forest School. Not every den stays standing, not every fire lights first time, and not every knot holds tight. Children learn that mistakes and setbacks are part of learning. They develop the determination to try again, adapt their approach, and persevere until they succeed.
 

Responsibility

Children learn to be responsible for all their actions at Forest School. They take responsibility for their own safety by following rules and using tools correctly. They're responsible for looking after equipment, helping to set up and tidy away, and making good choices that keep themselves and others safe. They also develop responsibility for the environment and for being active members of our school community.

Our Forest School Area

Our Forest School area includes:
 

The Forest School Zone - A dedicated space on our school grounds where children engage in hands-on Forest School activities including fire-making, den building, tool work and nature exploration.
 

Outdoor Classroom - We also have a seated area where whole classes can experience learning in the fresh air. This is new for the academic year of 2026-2027. We encourage staff to regularly take children to this outdoor classroom for lessons including outdoor art, reading, and a wide range of other curriculum activities. This space allows every child to benefit from outdoor learning, even when they're not participating in a Forest School session.

Safety

Your child's safety is our top priority during Forest School sessions. Here's how we keep everyone safe:
 

• We conduct a site-sweep before each session to check for dangerous items, animal waste, and any increased risks due to weather changes
• A complete First Aid kit is always present at every session
• Mr Langford must be present for all fire-making and tool use activities
• We maintain appropriate adult-to-child ratios during all sessions (typically around 1 adult to 8-15 children, with closer supervision for higher-risk activities such as fire lighting and knife use)
• Staff sweep the site and follow guidance from Mr Langford and our site manager to ensure all activities are risk-assessed and managed appropriately
• At the start of each session, we discuss boundaries and safety rules with the children, including low branches, uneven ground, staying out of the fire circle, and no running

Experiences

Lower School (Years 3-4)

Your child will enjoy activities including:

• Exploration of the site and mini-beast hunting – discovering the natural world and learning about habitats
• Mud Monsters – creating art with mud and clay
• Ground pictures – using natural materials to create artwork
• Shades of the woodland art – exploring light to dark colours in nature
• Leaf art – creating beautiful designs with leaves
• Mini den making for a teddy – learning construction and problem-solving skills
   

Upper School (Years 5-6)

Your child will develop new skills through:

• Wood cookies – using tools safely to create wooden discs
• Knots and lashes – building frames and tripods
• Den making for humans – designing and constructing shelters
• Kelly Kettles – learning to boil water safely outdoors
• Making cooking sticks – preparing tools for outdoor cooking
• Campfire sessions – cooking, storytelling and enjoying the outdoors together

How Forest School Links to the National Curriculum

Forest School supports your child's learning across the curriculum:
 

Science: Observing seasonal changes, studying habitats and living things, understanding materials and their properties, exploring forces and motion through den building

Design & Technology: Problem-solving, designing and making structures, using tools safely, evaluating their creations

Art & Design: Creating art using natural materials, exploring colour, texture and pattern in nature, developing creativity and imagination

PSHE: Building confidence and self-esteem, developing resilience, learning to assess and manage risk, working collaboratively, respecting the environment

Physical Education: Developing gross and fine motor skills, spatial awareness, balance and coordination

English: Expanding vocabulary, following instructions, explaining processes, descriptive writing about experiences

Maths: Measuring, estimating, problem-solving, using shapes and patterns

Frequently Asked Questions

What happens in bad weather?

We embrace all weathers at Forest School – there's no such thing as bad weather, only unsuitable clothing! However, if weather conditions are genuinely unsafe (such as high winds or storms), we will rearrange the session. When it's wet, we dress appropriately and often enjoy the opportunity to make a wonderful, warming campfire with hot chocolate and marshmallows.

We have a fully stocked shed with enough waterproof clothing and wellies for all group sizes. We're happy to provide these for any child who needs them. If you know your child will need to borrow equipment, please let staff know so we can have it ready.
 

What if my child has allergies (e.g., to insect bites)?

You will have the chance to discuss any allergies or medical needs with us. If your child's allergy is already recorded in their medical plan, we will ensure activities are adapted as needed to keep them safe.
 

Can I volunteer to help?

Yes, we always welcome adult support! Please speak to your child's class teacher or Mr Langford if you'd like to volunteer during Forest School sessions.

Contact Information

Have questions about Forest School?
 

We operate an open-door policy, so you're welcome to:

• Speak to Mr Langford face-to-face before or after school
• Send a message via Class Dojo
• Catch him at the school gate at the end of the school day
• Contact the school office to arrange a phone call