Forest School
At St Stephen’s Infant School, Forest school plays an integral part in the children’s learning. We are very lucky to have our own Forest area onsite and we have a qualified teacher who is Level 3 trained to deliver Forest School sessions every week.
Our Forest School provides a nurturing, natural environment to support the development of our children’s relationship with the natural world. It aims to promote the holistic development of all those involved, fostering resilient, confident, independent and creative learners whilst providing them with the opportunity to take supported risks and remain safe and secure.
Forest School supports skills and knowledge across many curriculum areas. Through experiencing learning in the natural world children gain a sense of responsibility and value for their environment in addition to confidence, self-esteem and developing a sense of awe and wonder of the world.
Children’s ideas and interests are used as a basis on which to explore and learn. Our Forest School Teacher provides opportunities to link areas of the curriculum to the outdoor environment alongside this child-initiated learning, enabling progression of skills and activities throughout the different age groups, reaching towards high expectations.
Forest school provides children with a happy space in their weekly timetable where they can apply their current understanding of curriculum topics and develop new knowledge and skills through experiencing the outdoors.
Please see 'Our Curriculum,' for further information.