Mama Beech

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...

Many Forest School sessions run within Primary Schools. Trying to keep to the ethos of the pedagogy we know and love while influenced or even pressured, towards doing something very different is not always easy. For those of us who trained while working in education, a career of providing proof of learning is inbuilt. There's an entire philosophical PHD somewhere in the question of whether learning happens without proof! We reduce it down to tick charts, numbers, and letters, and load it as data onto reports and software. Often 'proof' becomes a product, something 'to take home', something tangible that stands solid as evidence of achievement. At Chartham, we don't use Forest School as an extension of what is happening inside. We may offer activities to support what's happening in their themes and topics, and the children themselves frequently bring their new knowledge outdoors and ask questions, act it out, and explore it in a different way. What happens in...

Well, where do I start? Forest School is Forest School. What makes it is the ethos, the teamwork, freedom, and the chance to be in nature. So much is exactly the same no matter the setting, children, and adults. At the same time, the setting, children, and adults do dictate what Forest School will be! This Forest School has a picturesque setting, but it's still in the heart of a natural forest, carpeted in pine needles, decorated in bracken, with an enviable blue view between the trees of sky and sea. Trees can be climbed, paths can be explored, logs can be overturned, and sticks can be ANYTHING! Dens for people were improved and built for toy creatures. Sticks were wands, and staffs, and styluses. A slack line and hammock encouraged balance and turntaking. A rope swing was adapted, and competent children helped the reticent climb on. A few bugs were found. A bit of running took place. Games were played... Smiles flashed, giggles rang out, new ideas added to the varied provision ad...