1st Ever FSC
Forest School Conference
14 June 2012
Great Priory Farm
Braintree Road
Panfield
Braintree
CM7 5BQ
More Information
Booking Form
Forest School Conference
14 June 2012
Great Priory Farm
Braintree Road
Panfield
Braintree
CM7 5BQ
More Information
Booking Form
The Essex FEI Group is a regional Cluster Group supporting the educational objectives of the Forest Education Initiative.
Initially the primary aim of the group is to co-ordinate, develop and promote Forest Schools across Essex.
What is a Forest School?
“Forest School is an inspirational process, that offers ALL learners regular opportunities to achieve, develop confidence and self-esteem, through hands on learning experiences in a local woodland or natural environment with trees.”
Forest Schools originated in Scandinavia in the1950s when teaching taken out into the forest proved to be a great success. Its reputation brought it to the West Country in the 1990s from where it has grown across the UK.
Forest School involves regular visits to a local area of woodland or other outdoor space, allowing learners to develop a connection and appreciation of the environment. Sessions for school children are planned in conjunction with the curriculum and the challenges on offer are small and achievable.
A very important aspect of Forest School is the pedagogy employed, that of child centred or child initiated learning.
This child led approach means that the individual’s own interests and enthusiasm determines how the activities develop and it is then up to the Forest School leader to facilitate and deepen this understanding. This personalised learning can create a strong and long lasting understanding.
A very important aspect of Forest School is the pedagogy employed, that of child centred or child initiated learning.
This child led approach means that the individual’s own interests and enthusiasm determines how the activities develop and it is then up to the Forest School leader to facilitate and deepen this understanding. This personalised learning can create a strong and long lasting understanding.
The inspirational approach of Forest School has been shown to increase confidence, self-esteem, motivation and cooperation. It provides the opportunity for children with low self-esteem and challenging behaviour to succeed and can counter a lack of motivation and a negative attitude to learning. It enables learners to take on responsibility and manage risk in a controlled way, increasing their independence.
There are some key principles of the approach for young people.
Forest School:- Is a long term process with frequent and regular sessions in a local natural space, not a one-off visit
- Takes place in a woodland or natural wooded enviroment to support the development of a relationship between the learner and the natural world.
- Aims to promote the holistic development of all those involved, fostering, resilient, confident, independent and creative learners.
- Offers learners the opportunity to take supported risks appropriate to the enviroment and themselves.
- Is run by qualified Forest School Practitioners who continuosly develop their professional practice.
- Uses a range of learner centred processes to create a community for development and learning.
To understand what child centred learning means and the role of the Forest School leader as a facilitator please click here.
