Forest School sessions are a tried and tested format which seeks to encourage, motivate, engage and inspire children through positive outdoor experiences. All pupils at Overstone spend regular sessions in an area of woodland that is natural, safe and accessible, working to their usual curriculum but in an outdoor setting.
The forest school approach demands that the outside space is not seen as merely a place where children go to burn off energy. The divide between indoors and outdoors is broken and children learn in and from nature.
They are given freedom to direct their own learning and enter in to a certain amount of risky-play. This in turn increases their sense of engagement and motivation. The rich variety of activities on offer and the sense of independence can have very positive effects on a child’s intellectual, cognitive, physical and emotional development. It can help to build a child’s self-esteem and confidence whilst also providing a springboard for numerous academic pursuits touching upon every area of learning.
