At the end of another demanding term across the Trust Carly Roe (Class Teacher and Forest Schools Coordinator) talks about how Forest Schools has been used at Braithwaite CE School to build and develop the children's confidence and skills.
“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 woodland or natural environment with trees.”
(Archimedes Forest School Model)
What does Forest Schools mean to Braithwaite School?
At Braithwaite we are lucky to have two Level 3 Qualified Forest Schools (FS) Leaders who provide weekly sessions for ALL pupils throughout the year. In addition to this qualification, they have also completed the Forest Schools First Aid course.
As a school we decided to adopt the Forest Schools approach as we believe it complements the learning ethos we have already established in school of 'Learning together, growing together'. The inclusive approach of Forest Schools supports and enhances children's mental health by calming the mind and destressing the body, which in turn impacts on emotional wealth, that is the ability to main a sense of contentment. Without this master skill we would all struggle to be content, happy or successful in life, Forest Schools offers a space for our children to learn and develop their emotional wealth with us.
The FS approach encourages pupils to form and develop positive relationships with their peers and other pupils within our school family. Each session is child centred and allows pupils to learn 'how to learn' and to then apply this in the rest of their educational life. The physical element using tools, building dens and climbing tress adds a bonus fitness element to boost the pupils too!
The children have learnt to use a range of tools such bow-saws, bill hooks. loppers and knives and are currently learning about how to light and have a ‘Safe Fire’ to then cook delicious treats and make hot chocolate on those cooler, damper days.
At Braithwaite we are committed to Forest Schools and the positive impact it has on the wellbeing of our children.
