Forest School

For Schools

ENCOURAGING DEVELOPMENT ACROSS EARLY YEARS
In more recent times Forest School has played a bigger part in helping to encourage development across all areas of the Early Years and National Curricula. Research has shown that children who have taken part in Forest School programmes are better equipped to make decisions, take calculated risks and solve problems.
INCREASE MOTIVATION, CONCENTRATION & CONFIDENCE
Forest School sessions have been shown (Murray, O’Brien, 2005) to increase motivation and concentration in children. Confidence and self-belief are improved as skills develop and no one fails.
A CLASSROOM WITHOUT WALLS
It could be said that a Forest School environment provides a classroom without walls, with space for children to explore, experience, develop their natural curiosity and learn in a practical context.
TAILOR-MADE FOREST SCHOOL PROGRAMMES
At Surrey Hills Forest School, we are able to offer bespoke, tailor-made Forest School programmes to suit your school’s requirements. We aren’t all lucky enough to have access to woodland or large green spaces, therefore we can arrange a site visit to assess the space you do have within your school grounds.
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ENCOURAGING DEVELOPMENT ACROSS EARLY YEARS
In more recent times Forest School has played a bigger part in helping to encourage development across all areas of the Early Years and National Curricula. Research has shown that children who have taken part in Forest School programmes are better equipped to make decisions, take calculated risks and solve problems.
INCREASE MOTIVATION, CONCENTRATION & CONFIDENCE
Forest School sessions have been shown (Murray, O’Brien, 2005) to increase motivation and concentration in children. Confidence and self-belief are improved as skills develop and no one fails.
A CLASSROOM WITHOUT WALLS
It could be said that a Forest School environment provides a classroom without walls, with space for children to explore, experience, develop their natural curiosity and learn in a practical context.
TAILOR-MADE FOREST SCHOOL PROGRAMMES
At Surrey Hills Forest School, we are able to offer bespoke, tailor-made Forest School programmes to suit your school’s requirements. We aren’t all lucky enough to have access to woodland or large green spaces, therefore we can arrange a site visit to assess the space you do have within your school grounds.
Previous slide
Next slide

Typical Activities for Schools

Working with the Early Years Foundation Stage and National Curricula

Natural Potion Making – Understanding different natural smells and textures to make potions
Leaf/Tree Identification – Identifying different leaves by size, colour, texture
Leaf Art – Using leaves to make pictures/artwork
Team Games/ Problem Solving  – Encouraging children to work together
Knot Tying – Learning to tie basic knots
Den Building – Working together to build dens, using large and small sticks
Risk Taking – understanding of how to manage your own risk whilst using real life tools such as saws
Group Stick Whittling – Safe use of  knives in a managed environment
Understanding of the Natural Environment – How what we do and how we do it effects the environment around us
Bug Hunting – Looking for various bugs, and then drawing, or making clay representations
Air-Dry Clay – Using clay to represent the things we have seen on our exploration of the woods
Fire Building – Teaching children how to make a fire with care and attention to safety
Outdoor Cooking – Learning how to cook simple food on a fire
Problem Solving – Working together to solve simple problems

Forest School

For Nurseries

CHILD-INITIATED PROGRAMMES
Forest School offers children an excellent opportunity for exploration and play. Most activities within a Forest School programme are child-initiated, with the activity going in the direction that the child has chosen. The child may decide to work independently, developing their own creativity and problem-solving skills. They may however decide to join up with other children and work within a team. This benefits the child’s Social and Emotional development as they learn how to work with others, listening and sharing ideas.
A TAILORED FOREST SCHOOL EXPERIENCE
Surrey Hills Forest School can offer a tailored Forest School experience for the children within your setting. If you have access to a minibus there is the chance to see the Surrey Hills in their full glory, whilst playing in 147 Acres of woodland at Chantry Wood. If you don’t have vehicular access then Surrey Hills Forest School is able to make an appointment to measure up any outdoor space, and run Forest School programmes from your setting.
Previous slide
Next slide
CHILD-INITIATED PROGRAMMES
Forest School offers children an excellent opportunity for exploration and play. Most activities within a Forest School programme are child-initiated, with the activity going in the direction that the child has chosen. The child may decide to work independently, developing their own creativity and problem-solving skills. They may however decide to join up with other children and work within a team. This benefits the child’s Social and Emotional development as they learn how to work with others, listening and sharing ideas.
A TAILORED FOREST SCHOOL EXPERIENCE
Surrey Hills Forest School can offer a tailored Forest School experience for the children within your setting. If you have access to a minibus there is the chance to see the Surrey Hills in their full glory, whilst playing in 147 Acres of woodland at Chantry Wood. If you don’t have vehicular access then Surrey Hills Forest School is able to make an appointment to measure up any outdoor space, and run Forest School programmes from your setting.
Previous slide
Next slide

Typical Activities for Nurseries

Working with the Early Years Foundation Stage

Risk Taking – understanding of how to manage your own risk whilst using real life tools such as saws, coupled with considering your own risk of how to climb trees
Understanding of the Natural Environment – How what we do and how we do it effects the environment around us
Den Building– Working together to build dens, using large and small sticks
Bug Hunting – Identifying bugs, and then drawing, or making clay representations
Air-Dry Clay – Using clay to represent our imagination
Natural Potion Making – Understanding different natural smells and textures to make potions
Leaf/Tree Identification – Identifying different leaves by size, colour, texture
Leaf Art – Using leaves to make pictures/artwork
Fire Building – Teaching children how to make a fire with care and attention to safety
Problem Solving – Working together to solve simple problems

Explore More

If you would like to know how Surrey Hills Forest School can help your school or nursery, please do get in touch.

Surrey Hills Forest School Holiday Club is HIRING!

We are looking for kind, compassionate and fun people to assist our Holiday Club leaders in running inspiring, creative and exciting forest-based sessions during the school holidays.
  • Level 2 or Level 3 in Childcare ideal but not necessary for the right candidate
  • Paediatric First Aid ideal but not necessary
  • DBS supplied by us for successful candidates
  • Competitive Hourly Rate
To apply, please send your CV to Amy at holidayclub@surreyhillsforestschool.co.uk

Interested in becoming a Forest School Leader?

We will soon be offering training to help you turn your dreams into reality? Complete the form for more details.

Book a Site Visit

If you would like to look round our Outdoor Pre-School, just fill out the form below. We will be in touch shortly.

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