Forest School is a long-term outdoor education process that is holistic and learner-led. Holistic means ‘whole’ – and Forest School is about practitioners enabling the development of the whole person.
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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.
Through creating learner inspired experiences based on exploration and discovery, we recognise opportunities to mentor holistic growth over the course of long-term programmes.
About Forest School
The Forest School sessions are underpinned by the forest school ethos which is child led- and choice based, to allow for the holistic development of the child and to facilitate getting kids back to nature, in all weathers.
We always have activities and offerings to share with the children but we create an environment that supports children to contribute their ideas and inspirations and child led play. The aim is to support children’s creativity and sense of curiosity, to build bonds and friendships and encourage their individual way of learning and interacting with the natural world in a fun and safe environment.
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Forest school ratios are small. This allows for quality attention and to be in tune with children's different needs.
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You can read our Forest School FAQ here for more information. If you have any questions please email us at senseofwonderfs@gmail.com
Activities Include:
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Seasonal activities
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Observations, Following curiosities
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Games and movement
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Animal tracking
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Bug hunting, Making bug hotels
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Arts & Crafts
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Sensory & Mindfulness Activities
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Shelter & Den Building
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Mud Play & Clay Making
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Free Play
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Exploring the natural world
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Learning new skills: rope and knots work, putting up swings
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Safely working with tools: whittling, palm drills
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Story Telling
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Foraging, wild food, herbal remedies
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Ecology education, Fauna identification
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Circle time
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And whatever they come up with during child-led play time.
Safety at Forest School
Learning how to keep their selves and others safe in nature is one of the important lessons they will learn during our forest school. We will share the important rules so that children have sense of responsibility when they play.
We will put in place clear boundaries so the children know where they can go. Also we will share our knowledge of safe use of tools. We strongly advice that the children wear proper outdoor shoes if possible.
We will be covered by the insurance which allow us to conduct all the forest school activities.
Forest School Principles
Regular sessions
Forest school is a long-term process of regular sessions, rather than a one-off or infrequent visits; the cycle of planning, observation, adaptation and review links each session.
Woodland setting
Forest school takes place in a woodland or natural environment to support the development of a relationship between the learner and the natural world.
Community
Forest school uses a range of learner-centred processes to create a community for being, development, and learning.
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Holistic development
Forest school aims to promote the holistic development of all those involved, fostering resilient, confident, independent and creative learners.
Opportunity to take risks
Forest school offers learners the opportunity to take supported risks appropriate to the environment and to themselves.
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Qualified practitioners
Forest school is run by qualified Forest School practitioners who continuously maintain and develop their professional practice
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These principles are based on the UK model of Forest School learning that is promoted by the Forest School Association (www.forestschoolassociation.org/)
Forest School Offerings
We offer the following services:
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Forest School short term and long term programmes for early years, primary and secondary schools and community groups
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After School Forest School programmes for 4 - 12 year olds at Killiney Hill
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Forest School for Home School groups at Killiney Hill and other locations.
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