Forest School at Kingston Primary School

We are proud to offer weekly two-hour Forest School sessions led by our four Level 3 trained Forest School Leaders — Mrs Julie Ebbs, Mrs Ferguson, Mrs Burns and Mrs Rogers — supported by an amazing team of volunteers who bring experience, enthusiasm and a love of the outdoors.

Forest School is not simply a place — it is an ethos and a practice: participant-directed, play-based learning conducted outdoors. Rooted in the UK Forest School model and influenced by Scandinavian open-air, play-based education, our sessions centre on learning through exploration, curiosity and connection with nature.

Our volunteers act as role models, guides and facilitators, helping children to explore, take supported risks and develop independence and resilience.

Programme Structure & Participation

• All children from Foundation Stage to Year 6 take part in Forest School sessions.
• Children attend blocks of six consecutive weeks, enabling continuity of learning and progressive skill development.
• All sessions take place in our dedicated Forest School area on the school site, and we also travel by mini-bus to our woodland partner site, Pound Wood, to put these skills into practice in a real woodland environment.
• We now provide five Forest School sessions each week, ensuring every year group enjoys frequent, consecutive sessions so that skills, knowledge and confidence build over time.

The Forest School Ethos & Principles

Our approach follows the six key principles of UK Forest School practice:

• Forest School is a long-term process of regular sessions rather than one-off or infrequent visits.
• It takes place in a woodland or natural environment, encouraging a connection between learners and the natural world.
• It uses learner-centred processes to build a community for being, developing and learning.
• It promotes the holistic development of all participants, fostering resilient, confident, independent and creative learners.
• It offers learners the opportunity to take supported risks appropriate to their environment and stage of development.
• It is run by qualified practitioners who continually maintain and develop their professional practice.

Forest School is not “outdoor lessons” — it’s an ethos that values curiosity, problem-solving, self-direction and teamwork through immersive, nature-based experiences.

What Will My Child Do at Forest School?

Children take part in a wide variety of hands-on, outdoor learning experiences. Examples include:

• Exploring the world around them using all their senses
• Creating natural art and crafts
• Identifying trees, plants and wildlife
• Using natural materials and tools to make things
• Building rope swings and rope bridges
• Developing communication, social, emotional and physical skills through play
• Den building and mini-beast hunts
• Cooking on an open fire
• And having lots of fun — in all seasons and all weathers!

Clothing & Preparation

At Forest School, there’s no such thing as bad weather — only bad clothing!
Children should come dressed for the conditions. Old, warm, waterproof clothing is best.

Spring/Summer:

• Sun hat
• Light long-sleeved top
• Long trousers
• Wellington boots or closed-in shoes

Autumn/Winter:

• Warm waterproof coat
• Waterproof trousers
• Hat, scarf and gloves
• Wellington boots

Why Forest School? Research & Evidence

UK and international research highlights the many benefits of Forest School for children’s wellbeing, learning and development:

• Regular Forest School sessions have been shown to improve confidence, social skills, communication, motivation, concentration and knowledge of the natural world (Forest Research, UK Government).
• Outdoor learning helps develop problem-solving, coordination, creativity and resilience, while promoting positive attitudes towards learning (EcoActive).
• For children with additional needs, the sensory-rich and flexible nature of Forest School supports communication, regulation and social confidence (Forest School Finder).
• Repeated, consecutive sessions build upon previous experiences — strengthening children’s sense of mastery, belonging and capability.

At Kingston Primary School, we believe that Forest School is a vital part of a broad and balanced curriculum — developing not only knowledge and skills, but also the confidence, curiosity and connection with nature that underpin lifelong learning.