Mama Beech

In my own head, I separate Outdoor Learning and Forest School.  They are interconnected but to me, FS offers activities and supports what the children choose to do, whereas OL has learning intentions and aimed-for outcomes. Year 3 are currently looking at the Stone Age as a theme, and I was asked if I would provide activities to support this. In doing so I would have to remove the children's usual choice, their opportunity to follow their own interests & learning outside, and the ability to respond to what they discover and expand on it. This isn't a 'bad' or 'wrong' thing, but it isn't Forest School. Hence approaching it with a different ethos. In giving 21st Century children a tiny taste of life over two million years ago the week began with a definite learning intention. I went with 6 activities that every child could try on rotation. They would end up with perhaps 10 minutes at each exercise in life long ago, after a chat at basecamp that explained w...

Eight great articles that support going outside, being outside, and learning outside! How it can help life post covid, and aid adulthood. How it improves mental health and supports learning INside! Grab a cuppa... PIONEERING RESEARCH TEAM CHAMPIONS DEEPER CONNECTIONS WITH NATURE From The University oF Derby Call for more play time amid ‘schoolification’ of UK childhood from  Sally Weale   Should Outdoor Learning in Schools be Compulsory? from  Joe Bogumsky 10 Tips for Improving Active Play at Your School  My School - My Planet Green space during childhood may improve adult mental health 'Why are kids learning inside?': How the Covid pandemic could take education outdoors in Scotland for good The Wildlife Trusts call for every child to have a daily one-hour nature boost.

Because Forest School is more of a pedagogy than a subject it is difficult to 'prove' and track 'progress' in the way the education system expects.  As always the type of setting and what is provided will influence this, and there are ways to document activities and demonstrate increased knowledge, but when based in a school often the developments are inside the classroom and not out at basecamp! If our aim is to foster curiosity, build resilience, and create a better attitude to learning, we will never know how well it is working without feedback from class teachers. I have a 'Progression of Skills' sheet which I use as a list that ensures I cover all skills across a year. The children are invited to investigate each activity, supported in learning, and able to revisit independently or supervised (depending on the activity), but participation is not mandatory! For the last year, ALL our Primary Pupils have been having Forest School sessions, that's approxim...

As every school varies, so does every Forest School.  There is a lot to influence how it is implemented: Location of site What makes up the site The age of the children participating The number of children participating Adult:Child ratios How long sessions last How frequent are sessions for each group And that is before you bring the Forest School Leader's interpretation of the ethos and own particular strengths into play! What I would've said to each of these points 2 years ago is not what I would say today, because covid has altered the way we implement Forest School at Chartham, throwing more variations into the mix. For us, our Forest School site is on school grounds. This means we did not have to source a space. We do not have to rent land or use an outside agency to provide sessions. We do not need a travel policy and staff who would normally be with each group INSIDE the building can accompany them to FS and support them outside too. Some schools with the space to provid...

I know - Term is over, chocolate Eggs have been eaten, Passover and Easter have been and gone, family celebrations are easing out and new regulations about meeting friends ease in! I have no Forest School news to report EXCEPT for letting those of you on Twitter know there is a new Outdoor Learning chat starting on Thursdays from 8 - 9 The page is called Outdoor Ed Chat and the hashtag is # OutdoorEdChat This should be a great space to share news and ideas, moan and groan, get inspired, have some fun, and seek advice! The account is run by the great  Bluebell Matt  and  Sam LEAF   The more people interested in Outdoor Learning that join in the wider the knowledge base, so if you are a Tweety-Peep - consider joining in!