Forest School FAQ’S

Forest School is an approach to outdoor learning that encourages exploration through child-initiated play and learning, leading to growth and holistic development. This takes place through repeated visits to a natural outdoor environment. We create an environment for learners of all ages to develop their confidence, build their self-esteem and we support our learners to take risks. We focus on something called “holistic growth”, this means looking at all areas of a person’s individual development and overall wellbeing – not just academic performance. Our Forest School practitioners create an environment and ‘facilitate’ experiential learning for our learners to be able to develop their:

• social skills and ability to build and navigate relationships
• physical health and development, such as being active, developing gross motor skills (such as balancing or climbing) or fine motor skills (hand-eye coordination)
• problem solving skills, resilience, adaptability and awareness of risk
• develop emotional wellbeing, which means how aware we are of our emotions and understanding how to manage emotions effectively

In 2011, the UK community of forest school professionals agreed on the following 6 key principles, which we implement to ensure a high standard of forest school provision provided in line with the authentic forest school ethos:

• We facilitate a long-term process through regular interaction
• We provide sessions in natural wooded environments
• We promote and encourage holistic development
• We offer learners the opportunity to take supported risks
• All of our delivery team members are qualified Forest School practitioners
• We use a range of learner-centered processes

Forest School is beneficial for all ages. We often run sessions for specific age groups, this allows us to tailor activities appropriately for groups for health and safety purposes. 

We use a booking site called Eequ (www.eequ.org), which allows our participants to create a profile which enables you to easily add the family members you wish to a session with ease. This means you don’t have to fill in participant forms each time and can manage the booking through the Eequ website. Some sessions are standalone, some are a series but we do offer the opportunity to book just one date if you wish before committing to a series. This is particularly handy if you are away for a session or want to do a taster day. We encourage block booking dates as Forest School is about having regular and consistent interaction with nature – this is where you will see the real magic happening. We are unable to guarantee spaces for sessions. 

We do ask for any participants 8 years and under to be accompanied by an adult for the duration however attending adults do not need to book/pay for a ticket (unless it is specified on the event e.g. family fun day). 

We run our Forest School all year long, wearing suitable clothes for the weather is advised. In the summer we would encourage you to wear loose clothing, hats, sun cream and ensure you have water with you to stay hydrated. In cooler months we recommend warm layers, waterproofs, suitable shoes and hats/gloves/scarves. Wellies are preferred or waterproof boots, old trainers you don’t mind getting mucky are fine too however not recommended if they get wet as they won’t keep your toes warm later in the year.

You’ll be provided joining instructions a few days before, this will give you location information and a reminder what you need to bring. Upon arrival you will be greeted by our lovely delivery team who will show you to the site. Often those familiar with the sites are itching to get stuck in and know exactly which activity station they want to start with. Those new to Forest School will be introduced to the staff and other attendees, and shown the various activities they may wish to try out. We have a high staff to attendee ratio, in addition to supportive and enthusiastic volunteers. Attendees are encouraged to follow their interests and explore the site. Snacks and drinks may be provided, we will collect any allergy or preference information upon booking to ensure we create a safe and inclusive environment for all.

During our sessions we offer a variety of activities to the participants, they can choose what they’d like to do and it is our role to encourage creativity and exploration. Often our participants will present to us their own ideas and we facilitate those as best we can. Activities include:

• Tool use (whittling, sawing, pruning
• Identification of animals and plants
• Fire use (lighting, safety, maintenance, environmental responsibility and awareness etc)
• Foraging
• Cooking
• Shelter and den building
• Mud play, art and imaginative mud kitchen
• Engineering and problem solving
• Scavenger hunting
• Bushcraft skills
• Swings, climbing and physical exploration
• Nature art and crafts (clay, natural paints, print making etc)
• Woodland Conservation and environmental education

We have run sessions in various sites across Swansea, Neath and Port Talbot including public parks, schools, local woodland and beaches. Our office is based near Bishops Wood in Caswell.

We have up to date site and activity risk assessments for every session, we’d be happy to provide you with a copy.

Where possible, our sessions take place close to Public Toilets. However please be aware that some are based in the woods and do not have access to toilets. Please do try to use the loo before attending a session.  As an ethical and responsible organisation we also make compostable sanitary products #periodpoverty available. 

We are open all year round so it is important you consider suitable clothing. However, given the nature of the environments we work in we are likely to cancel or rearrange sessions if there is high-wind or lightning forecasted. We monitor the weather forecast before each session, if we are to cancel a session due to severe weather we will call on the numbers provided when booking and send an email to all. Please keep an eye on your junk mail. A copy of our cancellation and booking policy is available here: ADD LINK TO DOC?