Forest School is a child-centred, long term educational approach held in natural spaces to promote holistic development, confidence, communication and self-esteem through learner-led exploration and managed risk taking.  It focuses on the process of learning rather than outcomes, encouraging resilience, curiosity, and a deep connection to nature.  Research indicates that Forest school sessions and regular exposure to nature significantly reduce ADHD and ASC symptoms, by fostering improved attention, self regulation and emotional well-being.  We have a trained Forest School leader (FSL3) staff member, who leads Forest School and the development of our forest area. Sessions focus on the process of learning rather than the outcome, encouraging curiosity, resilience, and a deep connection to nature. Nature-based environments provide calming, sensory-rich spaces that enhance social, motor, and cognitive skills while decreasing hyperactivity and stress. 

Each class in KS3 has the opportunity to take part in half a term of Forest School every year as well as whole school further opportunities to access the forest school through their own class activities. Each session is tailored to the needs, abilities and preferences of the group and pupils are able to choose from a number of activities such as using tools, sensory stories or forest crafts in the hobbit hut, wheelbarrow and forest jobs, hammock, den building, crafts, rope skills/swing and mud kitchen. Each session is structured in a familiar way. Many of the games we play in the forest are designed to increase the pupil's assessment of risk, safety in the fire circle and general awareness of safety in the forest - all whilst playing games! The pupils have also absolutely loved spending time and playing with Bella the forest well-being dog, who comes along for most of our sessions.