Enthusiasm
Things have been so busy we have pretty much abandoned writing a blog!
Winter does seem to be developing into Spring, all the signs are there, and the weather is being very kind (at least here in Kent!), but there's always the concern that frost will come and ice will kill off all that has started to bloom.
The Terms are flying by, how are we approaching two-thirds of the way through the school year already?
Not only does Christmas feel a bit like a fortnight ago, but the September start certainly doesn't feel like it was six months past!
Forest School is a constant no matter what, and we continue to take classes outside whatever the schedule, as well as co-plan Forest School training provision and hosting First Aid, and juggle the school's needs with offering more to the community.
We are a team. There are three of us delivering sessions. Two FSLs have an additional role in school and our Forest School Lead deals with Forest School only. Even with a shared workload there is a huge amount to do. There are three Forest School Sites, all of which need maintaining and developing, as well as auditing resources, making resources, and replacing resources!
Then there is the weather. There has been a lot of rain!
An AWFUL LOT of rain!
Which has created what feels like marshland, bogs, and mini ponds all over the school grounds! As classes have to go back into the building, and frequently back into their school day, supporting children in changing into dry clothes after they've knee-skidded, slid, slipped, pummelled, and kneaded the mud is a whole new challenge!
Rain and mud are amazing fun, its great for mental health, and brilliant for physical health, but even puddle suits have met their match, and children are often damp to the skin and need to do a full change when Forest School is over. This has to be factored into session time and changes the atmosphere of Forest School. This isn't doesn't mean it feels like a negative event, but it does feel more rushed, and whilst still child-led, the children don't get as long to follow their own interests as they do in dry weather.
However, this is ENGLAND! We know how to deal with inclement weather. Drizzle, rain, and monsoon does not stop us from venturing outdoors!
The season of traveling to work in the dark and getting home in the dark has eased! Spring Equinox is getting close, but seasonal colds and viruses keep doing the rounds, and ending Term 3 with an OFSTED visit wasn't the best way to make everyone feel their work/life balance was being kind!
Now, we are hurtling towards Easter. Another Term is passing, and while we are finally beginning to feel like we have a good understanding of the Reception Classes that started in September, and the growing and developing children in all other years, new joiners to year groups, and changes in staff, plus everything else a school year throws at us, we are also aware that as the weather changes so will the activities and Forest School will gather pace!
We know there's no such thing as the wrong weather just the wrong clothes! But British weather likes to be challenging no matter what the climate or season!
For some reason, this year hasn't felt like a slow and gradual progression of seasonal changes and building of skills. It has felt very much like a constant reassessment of everything we do, with alterations to ensure everything works safely, to the best advantage for the children.
We have had six months of replacement perimeter fencing being installed around all 9 acres. With sections removed, workmen on site, tools lying around, and vehicles being driven across site. Every session has felt like a surprise with us having to relocate and change plans at the last minute more often than not.
It has been challenging, but we were determined to deliver sessions no matter what!
There is, of course, absolutely no reason why Forest School should be able to sit back and flow as it did last year! We constantly strive to improve our settings as well as provision for all sessions we deliver. No year is a repeat of the last. Growing floors and walls, everchanging skies, and working to the advantages of season and weather mean no two sessions are ever the same. One day we will have eyfs children on site, the next day will be aimed at those heading to secondary school in a few months!
It is easier when the sites are not disrupted by 'building' works, probably because we are used to working with weather and seasons, but not with workmen, piles of debris, and gaping holes in our boundary have tested our patience!
Our aims are pretty constant. We want to build resilience and self-esteem, give opportunities to explore and investigate, support discoveries and curiosity, foster self-regulation and self-confidence, encourage communication, motivation, cooperation, and teamwork, build awareness of safety and judgment, allow problem-solving, listening skills, and relationships, strengthen dexterity, hand/eye coordination, and core strength, while engaging in nature connection and a better understanding of the environment.
The only short way of saying that is 'to provide Forest School'!
We want the pupils at our school to learn how to be better learners while growing to love the great outdoors! This is our 'curriculum' year-on-year!
Although much stays the same, how we achieve this alters all the time.
Having Student Forest School Leaders on site is a great way to reaffirm what we do and why we do it! Demonstrating to others is a reminder of all the things we haven't squeezed into the year yet, and sharing ideas with people who have a huge enthusiasm for all things Forest School, as well as varied experiences to bring to their practice, is always inspiring.
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