Mama Beech

When it comes to providing activities and experiences in Forest School we try hard to stick to things that we COULDN'T do inside. This isn't a hard and fast rule, but it is guidance. Taking lots of equipment outdoors doesn't feel child led, nor does it feel too much like Forest School. There will always be information to access and equipment to support exploring, but beyond reference books and sheets, magnifiers, binoculars, and bug pots very little is a staple.  Tools are available, that can just be yarn and scissors, peelers, palm drills, or something that needs much closer supervision. There are digging areas and mudkitchens on each site, swings, and platforms, as well as access to climbing.  We do offer opportunities to weave, tie knots, create a nature table, and plant. We may suggest den building or hide and seek. We will respond to requests for litter-pickers, or pond dipping, or whatever activity on site we can accommodate, with support and with equipment. When a ch...

I have been preaching, repeating myself, whinging, whining, and banging on about Forest School since 2019. This is literally my 200th blog post charting the development, trials, and successes we've had. I try to acknowledge how all provision varies but everything in the blog is totally subjective, from our view point and experiences. It's all we know. In 2018 Chartham Primary School could only fit half a class into the minibus, therefore 15 children went off to swimming and 15 stayed for Forest School. This meant only years 3 and 4 had access to either  and on rotation for a six week set every few terms. The Forest School Leader was also a TA. Resources were few, and while the FSL was enthusiastic and highly capable, there was not time for planning or maintenance or site development...  A situation that's familiar to too many! In 2019 the school decided to invest time and energy into making Forest School something they did well. They committed to focusing on it and employin...

Like everything in education, budget dictates. There are lots of projects, schemes, plans, ideas, and pedagogies that schools can adopt to focus on. Many will indeed improve school performance, or children's learning, or make day to day life a little easier for staff. None of them come with a guarantee. All of them require training or membership, a one-off payment or a subscription. When a school considers implementing Forest School it isn't any different. It is true that it is an investment rather than a charge . Whatever is decided upon is introduced to improve an aspect of school. A maths scheme of work to ensure everything is covered. A literacy programme to make it easier for all staff to use the same tools. Buying in PE trainers to improve the activities provided, to outsource the planning, and to cover PPA times for some or all staff. Whatever the cost, the aim is to enhance what the school provides. Forest School is a pedagogy, but sessions are a 'service', boug...

Both School and Forest School is up and running with ALL pupils! Since the start of the year we've felt like a one form entry school with very low numbers!  This has meant teaching staff have been juggling remote lessons, recording lessons, being online and in-class teaching on a rota. Plus Forest School has been open to all bubbles with Risk Assessed restrictions and procedures in place to minimise transition. The basics of which are: As Forest School Leader I never enter their classrooms Classes are brought outside to basecamp by a teacher/TA Any tools used are wiped down between bubbles We sit at basecamp for less than 10 minutes at the start and end of sessions The nature of Forest School is that once the children are free to explore they disappear in all directions! Some to climb trees, some to build dens, some to bug hunt, bird spot, treasure find, others to dig, etc. I am never face to face with a pupil or group of pupils for longer than 5 minutes! I move around to see what ...