Forest School

Forest School is an inspirational, specialised learning approach that complements the broader context of outdoor and woodland education. It offers ALL learners regular opportunities to build confidence and self-esteem through hands-on experiences in natural environments.

At Lenthall, we are fortunate to have extensive school grounds that facilitate these activities, all led by our very own specialist Forest School Teacher, Mrs Sharon Priest.

All children have access to Forest School on a rolling programme throughout the school year. They can discover a wide range of activities, including using tools and fire lighting. By managing their own risks and those of friends, they learn while having fun. This helps boost self-confidence, self-esteem, and social skills in an outdoor setting.

The Forest School operates from our school grounds, in our designated Forest School Area. We are also fortunate to have access to a Willow Dome and tunnel within our extensive school grounds. Our Forest School area serves as a special place for exploration, featuring a central circle with seating that provides a safe space for activities like fire-making at the start and end of each session.

Activities include:

• Den building
• Fire lighting and campfire cooking
• Leaf bashing
• Clay/mud sculpture
• Wildlife and mini beast hunts
• Tree faces
• Woodland name tags
• Woodland whistles
• Rain chains
• Woodland crowns

Sessions are tailored to align with the National Curriculum while running alongside classroom topics, seasons, and special celebrations. Children’s interests and choices play a significant role in shaping the sessions. Each includes a period of free play for exploration, concluding with a reflection time where children discuss their experiences and make plans for the following week.