Forest School

Here at St Austin's, Forest School is not just about learning to use different tools, it is about inspiring young children to find enjoyment in the natural environment, feel confident in taking supported risks and to experience new opportunities. 

Each session is an inspiring and creative experience that supports learning and opportunities for all children. Set within  our beautiful grounds, sessions encourage curiosity, imagination, and a love of exploration through different hands-on activities and outdoor exploration. Every child is given the opportunity and freedom to be creative, take safe risks and to develop their confidence in their own abilities, whether they are building, investigating nature, or working as a team with their peers. 

The Forest School Association highlights that, "Forest Schools offer a unique educational experience using the outdoor environment of the forest as a classroom." Here at St Austin's, we have such a love of reading that our sessions are linked to a text that the children have read or will be reading, creating a rich and diverse learning experience that makes their learning exciting, meaningful and ultimately accessible for all. 

Year One children have weekly Forest School sessions with Miss McPherson, our Forest School leader, while other year groups will have regular sessions termly. Children in Year One have said that Forest School is 'their favourite time of the week' and enjoy the creativity linked to the stories read in class.