Although not something that we can facilitate in our own environment, we are still able to offer our Early Years and Year 1 children Forest School learning experiences. This has been achieved by establishing a strong link and working relationship with Lord Deramore’s Primary School, Heslington. Lord Deramore’s are currently pursuing the status of ‘Forest School Centre for Excellence’ and therefore provide our children and staff with a high quality forest school environment and with it great expertise.
Our current arrangement is that our Reception children will spend 20 1/2 days throughout the year in the forest and our Year One children 10 1/2 days.
Through a forest schools approach to learning we are able to further develop and promote:
- Confidence and self-esteem
- Communication and social skills
- Physical skills
- Greater understanding, awareness and appreciation of the natural environment
- Natural motivation and a positive attitude to learning
- Healthier lifestyles