A critical part of the wider Worstead 'Childhood Curriculum' is Forest School. It sits within our curriculum area of 'Life Skills' for many different reasons, but we consider it an essential part of a Worstead education, particularly as we live in a remote, rural community. It links to and supports science, geography PE and RHSE directly and there are further connections to all kinds of themes the children study e.g. to the concept of spirituality in RE is encountered in the wonder of the natural world.

We have our own dedicated Forest School area, which we open up to our local Worstead Pre-School to also benefit from. We employ our own Level 3 Forest School teacher, and every child gets a chance to go to Forest School sessions in a termly block every year. They inevitably come home filthy, but it's what we do!

Where possible, learning in Forest School links to topics the children may be learning about in class, but it also exists for its own sake and is not dependent on any other subject area. Skills like safely managing a campfire, wild art, nature and woodland craft, encouraging wildlife, learning about life-cycles of real animals, or simply building resilience and a love of the outdoors are all parts of Forest School. These all support mental and physical health.

Visit the Forest School Association to find out more about the principles.