Forest School
Our Forest School programme is an important part of our commitment to nurturing the whole child within a caring, inclusive, and values-led community. Rooted in our Catholic mission to Love, Learn, Respect, and Forgive, Forest School provides children with rich outdoor learning experiences that promote personal growth, wellbeing, and responsibility.
Through regular sessions in a natural environment, children are encouraged to love and care for God’s creation, developing a sense of wonder, gratitude, and stewardship for the world around them. Forest School supports children to learn through exploration and experience, building confidence, resilience, and curiosity as they engage in meaningful, hands-on activities.
Children are guided to respect themselves, others, and the environment, working collaboratively, managing risk safely, and developing empathy and teamwork. Activities such as climbing, knot tying, fire lighting, and safe tool use are delivered by a qualified Forest School Leader, within a structured and well-planned 11-week programme.
Forest School is child-led, with skilled adults supporting learning through observation, encouragement, and reflection rather than direct instruction. This approach allows children to develop independence while learning to forgive mistakes, persevere through challenge, and grow in self-belief.
The impact of Forest School is seen in children’s improved self-esteem, emotional regulation, social skills, and engagement in learning. By nurturing personal development alongside academic learning, Forest School makes a strong contribution to the school’s wider curriculum and supports children in becoming confident, compassionate, and respectful members of our community.
Outdoor Leaning
Outdoor Learning plays an important role in supporting children’s development through a planned, curriculum-focused, multi-sensory approach to teaching and learning in the natural environment. Rooted in our Catholic mission to Love, Learn, Respect, and Forgive, Outdoor Learning provides opportunities for children to build confidence, curiosity, and independence while engaging all their senses.
Through carefully designed sessions, children use the outdoor environment to see, hear, touch, move, and explore as part of their learning. Natural resources are used to support curriculum objectives, such as using stones, leaves, and sticks for counting, measuring, pattern-making and problem-solving in mathematics, or exploring vocabulary, storytelling, and descriptive language inspired by sights, sounds, and textures in English. In science, children observe seasonal changes, investigate habitats, and explore materials through hands-on enquiry, developing a deeper understanding of the world around them.
Outdoor Learning also supports collaborative and physical learning, with children working together to build, create, and investigate, strengthening communication skills, teamwork, and resilience. Movement-based activities, sensory exploration, and practical tasks help children to make meaningful connections, particularly benefiting those who learn best through experience and active engagement.
Each class takes part in a six-week Outdoor Learning programme, delivered by a qualified Forest School Leader. Sessions are carefully planned and adapted to meet the needs of the class, ensuring learning is inclusive and accessible while supporting children’s physical, emotional, cognitive, and social development.
By learning outdoors, children are encouraged to respect one another and care for God’s creation, reflect on their experiences, and develop positive attitudes to learning. Outdoor Learning enriches the curriculum, enhances wellbeing, and supports children to grow in self-esteem and confidence, both in and beyond the classroom.
