What is Forest School?

Forest School is a child-centred inspirational learning process that supports play, exploration and supported risk taking. It develops confidence and self-esteem through learner inspired, hands-on experiences in a natural setting.

Forest School has a developmental ethos shared by thousands of trained practitioners around the world, who are constantly developing their learning styles and skills to support new and imaginative learners. Its roots reach back to the open-air culture, friluftsliv, or free air life, seen as a way of life in Scandinavia where Forest School began. It arrived in the UK in 1993 and has grown from strength to strength since then.

From the FSA website

 

How much are your sessions?

Please see the sessions page for detailed information on session fees, and how to book

 

What age is suitable?

Our sessions are suitable for children up to the age of 7 in term time but up to 10 or 11 in school holidays, and we say for the play sessions it’s best to wait until your child is confidently walking. Our Woodland Babies sessions are suitable from birth to 12 months though. If you require a party for an older child please do get in touch as we can definitely make something work for you!

 

What do you do in bad weather?

We play! There’s no such thing as bad weather…only bad clothing after all! The sessions are only cancelled in the case of high winds or heavy snow due to the risk of injury from falling branches but in rain we continue to run the sessions, the children love the freedom of playing in the rain and it creates really magical play opportunities! We do have a shelter which we use in wet weather to protect our fire circle so there’s always somewhere dry should you want it.

 

Do you have parking and toilets?

Yes we have both parking and toilets on site.

 

Is it pram or wheelchair friendly?

Prams yes - although we do always advise carriers are better as the woodland floor can be muddy. Both of our sites have AREAS that are wheelchair accessible, however please be mindful that the Tong site includes a rocky terrain which you would need to navigate on the entrance to the play area and it has steep steps up to the fire circle level. The York site is flat however we're so sorry but we've been unable to make the toilet wheelchair accessible due to its location within the existing shelter. This is something we're working on and hope to rectify in the future with additional funding to build a ramp and new doorway. 

 

What should we wear?

Boots (walking or wellie boots) and long trousers, layers are key if it’s chilly, spare gloves and a few pairs of socks if it’s cold. Rainwear in wet weather, and appropriate sun hat if it’s sunny! Old clothes that you don’t mind getting muddy are best.