Vision Statement
At St. Joseph’s we strive to provide all students attending Forest School sessions the experience of exploring a natural environment; promoting how we love, protect, educate and nurture each other and God’s world. Forest school will provide opportunities to improve self-esteem, confidence and emotional development of all participants while they learn a life-long skill set.
As a Catholic school, we promote Laudato Si’ – the importance of caring for our common home. By helping students to connect with the natural world they will be better equipped to truly engage with this teaching.
What is Forest School?
‘Forest school is an inspirational process, that offers children and young people opportunities to achieve, develop confidence and self-esteem, through hands on learning experiences in a local woodland environment’ National Definition: Forest School (England) Network.
In 2011, the UK Forest School community agreed on six guiding principles (as found on the Forest School Association website):
Principle 1: Forest school is long term and regular. It takes place in a woodland or natural environment. Planning, adaptation, observations and reviewing are integral elements of Forest School.
Principle 2: Forest School takes place in a woodland or natural wooded environment to support the development of a relationship between the learner and the natural world.
Principle 3: Forest School aims to promote the holistic development of all those involved, fostering resilient, confident, independent and creative learners.
Principle 4: Forest School offers learners the opportunity to take supported risks appropriate to the environment and to themselves.
Principle 5: Forest School is run by qualified Forest School practitioners who continuously maintain and develop their professional practice.
Principle 6: Forest School uses a range of learner-centred processes to create a community for development and learning.
