Forest School
We have established Forest School and outdoor learning at Willaston CE Primary School to give all children regular opportunities to learn, achieve, develop self-esteem and confidence in an outdoor setting. Forest school activities are planned to link closely to learning in the classroom, developing themes and ideas in a different setting. We are fortunate to have Willaston Meadow on our doorstep, which is a fantastic resource to teach the children about our local environment.
The children will go outdoors in all weathers, all year round and will witness the environment changing with the seasons. Natural resources are used as much as possible to stimulate creative thinking and skills development.
We hope that by giving the children memorable learning experiences, they will develop a love and respect for their environment which they will take with them into their adult life.
We go outside for Forest School in all weathers. As the weather can vary quite dramatically with the seasons, even from hour to hour, please take time to view the forecast and send your children with appropriate kit (see the kit list below).
Forest School Parent Helpers
We are very fortunate to have parent helpers who assist with our Forest School sessions, especially when we visit the meadow. We are also very lucky to have some fantastic learning areas around school which we also use on a regular basis. It really adds an extra level of excitement and wonder if we can go to the meadow for our Forest School sessions, but we cannot do this without the appropriate adult to children ratios. It is very helpful to be able to plan in advance for this, so please can you let us know if you are attending by filling in the form, when you know you will be able to attend. You must have completed a school DBS to be able to help at Forest School.
The form is available here: https://forms.office.com/e/gpdc711gT8
Many thanks to our current Parent Helpers, and if you are interested in helping, please contact the school office to complete the DBS forms.
Thank you for your support, Mr Ellinson
Clothing
Children must wear/bring the following to every forest school session:
- Waterproof jacket and trousers
- Wellies or walking boots
- Warm clothing – plenty of layers, including long trousers, jumper, fleece, thermals
- Gloves/hat/scarf in cold weather / sun hat and sun cream in the Summer
Please make sure that EVERY item of clothing is NAMED!
Children who have a morning session can come to school dressed in all their clothing ready for a prompt start. Please also bring spare clothes to change into after sessions, should clothing get wet – including shoes and spare socks.
Also please note that if your child does not come to school with the correct clothing or footwear, we are unable to guarantee spare clothing will be available .
Reception / Key Stage One
If your child has Forest School in the morning, it would be helpful if they could come into school already dressed in their water proofs and outdoor shoes. This helps reduce any time lost while getting changed and helps safeguard staff and younger children who might need help with tricky zips, puddle suits and shoe laces.
It has been wonderful to be able to explore out outdoor learning areas, as well as the woodland, meadow and Jackson’s Pond.
Key Stage Two
If your child has Forest School in the morning, it would be helpful if they could come into school already dressed in their water proofs and outdoor shoes. This helps reduce any time lost while getting changed and helps safeguard staff and younger children who might need help with tricky zips, puddle suits and shoe laces.
It has been wonderful to be able to explore out outdoor learning areas, as well as the woodland, meadow and Jackson’s Pond.