Forest School
The Vision For Our Curriculum
Forest school enriches our children's learning and encourages them to be adventurous, imaginative and observant. Mrs Keeping works closely with the class teachers to link forest school with all areas of the curriculum and our school values.
The children develop in confidence as they achieve new skills; both social skills, such as collaboration and personal qualities, such as initiative and determination. These skills develop over the block of sessions through real life experience in our beautiful woodland and the journey to it. The children learn to care for themselves and develop trust in each other while playing. They are taught to use tools safely and respect the natural world.
We set off in almost all weathers which gives us opportunities to build shelters, get muddy, cope with walking up hills on hot summer days and occasionally build igloos. Whilst there are real challenges and adventures the children’s safety, enjoyment and well-being is at the heart of forest school.
Year 3 Forest School
Year 3 deepen their knowledge of volcanoes in the forest!
We discovered Brill clay, sand and loam and all the ingredients that make soil, we found a Brill ammonite!
We worked collaboratively to make volcanoes, the children impressed us with their geographical and scientific vocabulary.
We even made up our own volcano song!
Year 2 have had Roald Dahl inspired magical times at Forest School this term.
They were very imaginative - creating marvellous medicine, finding Golden Tickets and making scrumptious chocolates in their factory and miniature things for Minpins. It was lovely to see the children so happy playing together again and really taking care of each other, living our school values. As always, we had some surprises finding frogs, hearing woodpeckers and even discovering a large ammonite. We got a little quicker at walking back up the hill each week too!
Have a look at the pictures below.
FOREST SCHOOL BLOG
Paddington Bear at Forest school with Year 2
teachers on: FOREST SCHOOL BLOG
Paddington Bear at Forest School with Year 2 Spring term 2023
Week 1
Year 1 and Paddington Bear have learned a lot this term at Forest School. Paddington has travelled a long way and discovered landscapes and new trees in the woods in England. The children built him shelters against the cold and he taught us about the cocoa trees and Seville oranges in Peru.
Week 2
Paddington was feeling a bit far from home and the children and he transported themselves through their art work making pictures and sculptures out of found materials. Their imagination and ingenuity was wonderful to see.
Week 3
We learned about the spring Equinox when the night and day are equal in length and made Spring Equinox medals.
We also celebrated our last session with a fire making dough sticks thinking about the baker in Pudding Lane who started the Great Fire of London. We enjoyed the sounds and patterns of the fire and learned what makes fire and also about fire safety. The children showed a real sense of responsibility, listening and respecting boundaries to keep safe.
The children are writing their own Forest School reports with their memories and achievements. They have been joyful in all weathers - sorry about all the muddy clothes!
If parents have any feedback from conversations at home about Forest School for your child please email i.keeping@brillschool.org.uk as always good to have parent perspective.
Ancient Greeks come to Forest School.
teachers on: FOREST SCHOOL BLOG
Well done to Year 4 who have shown such enthusiasm at Forest School this half-term. Mrs Chisholm and I have been so impressed by their ability to work together so constructively. The children have thrown themselves into building the labyrinth from the story of Theseus and the Minotaur; building houses with courtyards; whittling and lashing swords to defend their city states; and freezing their classmates into gold with the Midas touch. It is wonderful to see them learning and applying so much information!
Visiting the Rainforest with Year 3
teachers on: FOREST SCHOOL BLOG
Building Rainforest homes, exploring different layers, and acting out stories.
Year 4 Focus on the Victorians in the Forest!
teachers on: FOREST SCHOOL BLOG
Year 4 extended their learning on the Victorians at Forest School - playing games about Charles Darwin's peppered moths, building amazing bridges inspired by Brunel and making Victorian toys.
Year 2 at Forest School
teachers on: FOREST SCHOOL BLOG
Year 2 pupils take their Roald Dahl topic into the forest to extend their learning opportunities.
Mrs I Keeping
Forest School Teacher
i.keeping@brillschool.org.uk
