THE children at Northampton High School benefit greatly from regular Forest School sessions in their own ‘wild area’.
The children learn at their own pace: investigating, exploring and developing their knowledge with a qualified Forest School teacher. They learn to take and manage risks to enhance their learning. Forest School aims to promote holistic development, fostering resilient, confident, independent and creative learners.
The Forest School leader takes groups of girls from all of the year groups in Junior School to the wildlife area to experience our Forest School. They are given opportunities to explore, build dens, light fires, use tools, take risks and manage their own risks by deciding on the benefits of what they are doing related to the risks involved.
They learn about nature and the impact of what they do while there and how to look after the woodland, the plants and animals. All the activities are child-led and the girls can learn at their own pace with a large ratio of adults to children to facilitate their learning.
At Forest School children can develop their team working skills and also learn to become more independent. Those who are unfamiliar with woodlands and green spaces can become confident in using them and this can form the basis of a life-long relationship with natural spaces. Forest School helps the girls develop their confidence which can then benefit them in other areas of their lives. Girls learn to solve problems and be creative and imaginative thus showing enterprising behaviour. At Forest School children are physically active a lot of the time which helps lead to the development of healthier lifestyles both at school and at home.
Experience the Forest School at Northampton High School’s open event on Thursday 27 April from 1.30pm tp- 3.30pm for girls in Early Years and Key Stage 1 (age 3-7).
For more information, see the website www.northamptonhigh.gdst.net or call the Registrar, Amanda Wilmot, on 01604 765765 a.wilmot@nhs.gdst.net
