Forest School
Forest School
Learning at Scholar Green Primary does not take place solely within our classrooms and buildings. Outdoor learning is a fundamental part of our curriculum, with Forest School taught from Nursery through to Year 6, providing children with continuous opportunities to learn, explore and grow beyond the classroom.
Across all year groups, pupils take part in a carefully sequenced Forest School programme that develops key outdoor skills, including shelter building, fire lighting, and knot tying. These core skills are revisited and built upon as children progress through the school, helping them to develop resilience, independence, confidence and a strong sense of responsibility.
Outdoor learning provides rich, hands-on experiences that support children in making sense of the world around them. Research shows it brings a wide range of benefits, including:
improved communication and conversational language
increased independence and self-confidence
better physical development, coordination and agility
improved focus, concentration and engagement
stronger social skills and teamwork
enhanced health, wellbeing and sleep patterns
a deeper understanding and respect for nature and the environment
With extensive school grounds and access to local outdoor spaces, we make full use of our surroundings to provide high-quality, meaningful learning experiences. Forest School sessions take place on site and in the wider local environment, alongside carefully planned visits and residential opportunities as pupils move through the school.
By the time children leave Scholar Green Primary at the end of Year 6, we aim for them to be confident, capable and independent young people who:
can work collaboratively and communicate effectively
show resilience when faced with challenge
can take appropriate risks and make safe decisions
have a strong understanding of practical outdoor skills such as shelter building, fire lighting and knot tying
demonstrate respect for the natural world and their environment
are curious, motivated and ready for the next stage of their education
Outdoor learning and Forest School are embedded across the curriculum and support the development of key life skills including problem solving, creativity, teamwork and leadership, alongside academic learning.
These experiences are often the most memorable part of a child’s school journey. Whether in the early years discovering the outdoors for the first time, or in upper Key Stage 2 taking on greater responsibility and challenge, Forest School helps children grow in confidence and character, preparing them well for life beyond primary school.
What Forest School looks like...
What our pupils think about Forest School...
Enrichment Opportunities
As well as being taught as a dedicated programme from Nursery through to Year 6, Forest School principles are embedded across a range of curriculum subjects and learning experiences. Children are given regular opportunities to apply their outdoor skills within wider learning, making connections across subjects and deepening their understanding through practical, hands-on activities. This approach is further enriched through a wide range of enrichment opportunities, including extra-curricular clubs, carefully planned educational visits, and residential experiences in Year 2, Year 4 and Year 6. These experiences provide children with the chance to extend their independence, teamwork and resilience in new and exciting environments
Forest School In the Real World
Forest School learning helps children make meaningful connections to the wider world. The skills developed through outdoor learning—such as problem solving, teamwork, resilience, leadership, and practical abilities like shelter building, fire lighting and knot tying—can be linked to a wide range of careers, including roles in conservation, environmental science, emergency services, the armed forces, outdoor education, construction, and land management. Beyond future careers, Forest School helps pupils understand real-world issues at a local, national and global level. Children explore topics such as environmental sustainability, climate change, and the importance of caring for natural spaces. Through hands-on experiences, they develop a growing awareness of how their actions can impact the environment and how they can contribute positively to their community and the wider world. This helps prepare pupils not only for the next stage of their education, but also to become responsible, informed and active global citizens.