In May 2024, Aspire Learning decided to take an unused area of woodland adjacent to the main school building in order to create a Forest School site. The site team worked over the summer months to make the area safe and secure – installing metal fencing and removing rotten or dangerous trees. In July 2024, Dan McCormack, Curriculum Lead, began training to become a Forest School Leader. The school also invested in waterproof clothing and boots for pupils to ensure they could engage outside in safety and comfort all year.
In September 2024, Dan began teaching weekly Forest School sessions for each Aspire class. The sessions abide by the six principles of Forest School (Long Term, Natural Environment, Holistic Development, Supported Risk, Qualified Practitioner and Learner-centred). Each session contains a skill element that pupils can access at their own level. It also contains elements of free choice within a range of activities – thereby allowing the pupils to follow their interests – with help and guidance from Dan and the teaching staff who work with each class.
Dan held an initial training session with support staff during our October INSET day. This will be followed by a number of evening training sessions over the next year which will further enhance the skills of the supporting adults, adding additional benefit to the pupils.
As the attached photos show, the pupils engage in a number of activities that build skills in knot-tying, den building and group games. Pupils also have a number of opportunities to interact with one another during specified tasks – which helps them to make gains with their problem-solving, teamwork, self-control, speaking and listening, thus supporting development in the 7Cs areas and Skills Builder key skills.
We are very much at the beginning of our Forest School journey at Aspire. The site will change with the seasons and the learning will reflect that. Even though we have only been running sessions since September 2024, we have already seen our site change to better suit the needs and interests of our cohort and have added a wooden shelter and a tyre swing. These changes will doubtless continue as our pupils grow and develop skills and further interests within their new outdoor classroom.
Dan is expected to be fully qualified in May 2025 and then we will be able to introduce the use of fire and a range of tools into the sessions to further support students with developing their understanding of safety and taking managed risks.
Two Year 6 students share their views on Forest School so far: “It’s good to climb in here. Also I like making things safe for other children like cutting Holly plants.” said one student. “I like everything about it really. You can dig and use tools. It’s great being outdoors. It makes me feel calm,” commented another.
The positive impact of Forest School on pupils’ wellbeing and developement of skills can already be seen in a short space of time, so we are excited to see where it will take us in future!
– Abi McIvor, Head Teacher at Aspire Learning
