At Brookside, Forest School is both a dedicated part of our weekly curriculum and an approach that influences our everyday practice.

Children have dedicated Forest School sessions each week, led by our qualified Level 3 Forest School Leaders alongside experienced practitioners.

 

These sessions provide regular opportunities to spend extended time in the natural environment, exploring, investigating, taking appropriate risks and following their own ideas and curiosity.

 

But our Forest School approach doesn't begin and end with a weekly session. Its principles are woven throughout everyday life at Brookside. We encourage children to explore outdoors in all weathers, connect with nature, make choices, solve problems, take appropriate risks, persevere through challenges and develop confidence in their own abilities.

 

Our approach is child-led, inclusive and accessible. Adults understand when to step back and give children the freedom to explore and when encouragement, modelling or support can help them take their learning further. Adaptations and additional support are provided where needed so that every child can participate and experience success.

 

Through Forest School and our wider practice, children develop:

• Confidence, independence and resilience

• Curiosity and a love of discovery

• Communication, collaboration and friendships

• Problem-solving and creative thinking

• Physical skills and coordination

• An understanding of appropriate risk and challenge

• Respect and care for nature and the environment

 

For us, Forest School is about much more than simply spending time outdoors. It reflects our belief that children benefit from time, space and freedom to explore, challenge themselves, connect with the natural world and discover what they are capable of.