Forest School
Welcome to Educate U’s Forest School! Located just 25 minutes from our school site in the beautiful woodlands of Arundel, our Forest School is a place where students can explore, laugh, and learn in a natural environment. Here, students have the unique opportunity to connect with nature, grow holistically, and thrive in an inspiring outdoor setting.
What is Forest School?
At Educate U, our Forest School Programme, managed by qualified Forest School practitioners, is designed to foster independent, enthusiastic, and creative learners who grow emotionally and socially. Through a well-planned and child-centred approach, we support students in caring for their mental health while developing holistically.
Educate U Forest School Ethos
We are committed to the ethos of Forest School, ensuring every child has the opportunity to flourish in a supportive and stimulating environment. Our goals are to:
- Fulfil every child’s potential
- Develop a love of learning that nurtures independent and confident learners
- Promote a secure, exciting, and fascinating learning environment
- Support positive relationships with home and the wider community
- Promote children’s self-esteem
- Encourage independence
- Foster positive behaviour for the safe running of Forest School sessions
- Provide appropriate adult-to-child ratios
- Plan sessions that contribute towards a safe environment
- Forest School Principles at Educate U
Long-Term Process
Forest School is a long-term process with frequent and regular sessions. Children visit in blocks of six to eight weeks each season. Planning, adaptation, observations, and reviewing are integral to our process.
Holistic Development
We promote holistic development in all participants, fostering resilient, confident, independent, and creative learners. Our program ensures that participants are:
- Viewed as equal, unique, and valuable
- Able to experience appropriate risk and challenge
- Developing positive relationships with themselves, others, and the natural world
- Gaining competency to explore and discover
- Experiencing regular success
- Choosing and initiating their own learning and development
Supported Risks
We offer learners the opportunity to take supported risks appropriate to the environment and themselves, promoting personal growth and confidence.
Learner-Centred Processes
We use a range of learner-centred processes to create a thriving community for development and learning.
At Educate U, our Forest School is more than just an outdoor classroom. It’s a sanctuary where students can reconnect with nature, discover their strengths, and build lasting relationships. We invite students to immerse themselves in the wonders of the woodland every Monday and Wednesday, nurturing their well-being and unlocking their full potential.
Intent
At Educate U, our Forest School program is created with a nurturing ethos, providing a therapeutic space where children can immerse themselves in hands-on learning experiences within the woodlands and natural landscapes. Our primary goal is to nurture the holistic development of our students, encouraging a sense of confidence, self-esteem, and emotional well-being. Through our child-centered approach, we foster a spirit of independence, curiosity, and positive behaviour, creating a safe and secure environment where learners can explore, discover, and thrive. We are dedicated to crafting a Forest School community where every child feels valued, heard, and empowered to embrace their full potential emotionally, socially, mentally, and academically.
Implementation
At Educate U, we bring our Forest School ethos to life by embracing the therapeutic principles outlined by the Forest School Association. Our sessions are a journey of exploration and adventure, with regular blocks of six to eight weeks per term, allowing children time to immerse themselves in the wonders of nature. Led by our nurturing team of qualified Forest School practitioners we prioritise the well-being and safety of our participants while fostering a sense of belonging and inclusivity. Guided by the child's interests and abilities, our learner-centered approach encourages self-directed learning, supported risk-taking, and meaningful engagement with the natural world. Through thoughtful planning, attentive observation, and reflective review, we create immersive experiences that nurture the growth and development of every learner.
Impact
The transformative impact of our Forest School program at Educate U is evident in the reflective growth and positive outcomes experienced by our children. Through their regular engagement in Forest School sessions, learners develop with newfound confidence, resilience, and independence, enriched by an increased connection to themselves, others, and the natural environment. By embracing appropriate challenges and embracing the spirit of adventure, our children acquire invaluable life skills and establish meaningful connections with their peers and surroundings. Regular successes and moments of self-discovery fuel a sense of self-esteem and instill a lifelong love for learning. Our Forest School program serves as a sanctuary for nurturing emotional, social, and mental well-being, ensuring that every child is cherished, respected, and celebrated as a unique and invaluable member of our inclusive community.
For more information about Forest School principles and our approach, visit the Forest School Association website Forest School Association.
forest school handbook educate u.pdf
Forest School
