Forest School
Why Forest School - The Herons Partnership
We are incredibly proud and excited to announce that we are opening a New Forest School at Heronshill School and Nursery. This now means that the children from Heronshill School will now be able to attend Forest School on site at their school. Letters will be sent out to our families to inform them of the day their child will be attending Forest School.
All Forest School sessions will be run by our Herons Primary Partnership Forest School leader, Mrs Wilkes. These sessions will provide a fantastic opportunity for your children to learn, explore, and grow in a natural environment.
Who Is Mrs Wilkes?
I grew up near Thame in Oxfordshire and went to school in Oxford and then completed a BA (Hons) in Product Design at Bournemouth University, including 4 years or workshop skills. After University, a job brought me to Milton Keynes and I spent many years working in the Lighting Design Industry and I am a very qualified Lighting Designer! I then met Mr Wilkes, and we had three children, one boy and two girls. At this point I briefly stopped working. When our youngest child started school, I applied to be a Midday Supervisor at Heronsgate School, then a Learning Support Assistant and then worked towards getting my Level 2 and Level 3 Forest School Qualifications. This is my 8th year at Heronsgate School and 5th year working in Forest School.
What is Forest School?
Forest School is a child-centred inspirational learning process that offers opportunities for holistic growth through regular sessions. Forest School supports play, exploration and supported risk taking. It develops confidence and self-esteem through learner inspired, hands-on experiences in a natural setting.
Benefits of Forest School
– Connection with Nature: Children will develop a deeper appreciation for the environment and the natural world.
– Physical Development: Activities like climbing, running, and balancing will help improve their physical fitness.
– Social Skills: Working in groups to solve problems and complete tasks will enhance their teamwork and communication skills.
– Emotional Wellbeing: Spending time in nature can reduce stress and anxiety, promoting better mental health.
– Creativity and Imagination: The natural environment provides endless opportunities for imaginative play and creative thinking.
Activities
During our Forest School sessions, children will engage in a variety of activities that cater to their interests and promote holistic development. From building mini dens, to making crafts each week your child will learn new skills.
What to Bring
Forest School sessions will take place in all weathers unless deemed unsafe by the Forest School Leader. As the saying goes, “There is no such thing as bad weather, just bad clothing.” Therefore, suitable clothing is essential for all to be able to participate. On your child’s allocated day for Forest School, they should come dressed in the following:
– Long-sleeved T-shirt: To protect against bites, stings, and scratches.
– Trousers: For added protection against the elements.
– Waterproof over trousers and jacket: To stay dry and comfortable.
– Long socks and suitable footwear: Wellies, warm boots, or old trainers for dry weather.
– Sunhat and sunscreen (in summer): To protect against the sun.
– Extra layers (in colder months): Fleece, leggings, tights, hats, and gloves for warmth.
– Named bag: For carrying clothes, which should be taken home each week to be washed.