Forest School
Forest School Teaching
“The best classroom and the richest classroom is roofed only by the sky.”
— Margaret McMillan
At Rawmarsh & Arnold Nursery School Federation, we recognise the vital importance of outdoor learning. We ensure that children have regular access to our nursery garden, with learning experiences that are meaningful, purposeful and carefully planned to develop children’s thinking, language, resilience, confidence and teamwork.
Our Forest School curriculum is thoughtfully designed to help children make connections in their learning across the seasons. We weave together key texts, core experiences and celebrations, enabling children to build a deep understanding of the world around them.
Forest School allows children to become fully immersed in their learning and to develop a strong connection with nature. Research shows that Forest School experiences support children’s confidence, social skills, communication, motivation, concentration, physical development, and understanding of the world.
Positive Relationships
Strong relationships are at the heart of our Forest School approach. Through skilful teaching and a carefully designed environment, we encourage children to explore, take risks and develop their independence.
Our warm and respectful relationships support children to:
- Take safe risks and “have a go”
- Persevere and keep trying
- Develop their own ideas
- Build confidence when using tools
- Make connections between what they know and new experiences
Our highly skilled team includes numerous Level 3 qualified Forest School practitioners, ensuring children are supported by knowledgeable and experienced adults.
An Enabling Environment
We believe that nature provides endless opportunities for learning across all seven areas of the EYFS. Our outdoor environment is rich, varied and thoughtfully designed to inspire curiosity and exploration.
Our nursery garden includes:
- A water enquiry area
- A wildlife and conservation space
- A fire pit area
- A mud kitchen
- Vegetable beds and a greenhouse
- A designated bike track
- An orchard
- A wide variety of trees and hedgerows for sensory exploration
Children also benefit from:
- A large sandpit and quarry area
- Climbing frames and trees for climbing
- Large-scale land art areas
- An outdoor reading space
The Unique Child
Our Forest School approach allows each child to follow their own interests and curiosity, with adults acting as guides and facilitators.
Through this approach, children:
- Develop knowledge of the natural world and living things
- Explore similarities and differences in environments
- Observe seasonal change and life cycles
- Build language to explain their thinking and discoveries
Outdoor learning also supports children’s physical and emotional wellbeing. Our Forest School approach is particularly beneficial for children with additional emotional or developmental needs, which is why our nurture groups — World Explorers and Little Explorers — are delivered through Forest School principles.
Skills Developed Through Forest School
Forest School helps children to develop:
- Knowledge and understanding of the world
- Self-awareness and confidence
- Concentration and motivation
- Resilience and problem-solving skills
- Risk awareness and safe tool use
- Social skills and empathy
- Communication and language
- Independence
- Gross and fine motor physical skills
Experiences and Activities
Children engage in a wide range of hands-on, meaningful activities, including:
- Whittling wood and using tools safely
- Cooking on the fire pit throughout the year
- Planting and harvesting vegetables
- Bird watching and wildlife exploration
- Building, den-making and large-scale construction
- Exploring materials through mud kitchens and potion-making
- Storytelling, re-enacting and story mapping
- Creating land art and using natural materials creatively
- Investigating sand, water, weight and capacity
- Developing coordination through bike track challenges
- Observing plants, animals and seasonal changes
These experiences help children connect deeply with their learning in a real and memorable way.
Working with Parents
We work closely with parents and carers to ensure children are well prepared for outdoor learning in all weathers, including providing suitable warm and waterproof clothing.
Each year, we invite families to join us for Stay and Play sessions where you can experience our approach first-hand. We also offer dedicated sessions focused on Forest School, giving parents a deeper understanding of how outdoor learning supports their child’s development.
