Outdoor Learning and Forest Schools

Outdoor Learning is a broad term that covers many areas, but its core principles are to promote active learning and encourage new interests, build skills and provide a dramatic contrast to classroom learning.

The Learning Outside the Classroom Manifesto from The Department for Education and Skills states “We believe that every young person should experience the world beyond the classroom as an essential part of learning and personal development, whatever their age, ability or circumstances.”

The one aspect of Outdoor Learning I intend to look into in more depth is Forest Schools.

Forest Schools, originally a Scandinavian idea, gives learners the chance to experience and explore the outdoors as an alternative to a classroom environment. The website www.forestschools.com writes that every Forest School site is different, they are designed to fit the environment being worked in and to suit the needs of each individual group using said environment.

The groups are overseen by qualified Forest School Leaders who facilitate child-led activities with the intentions of promoting self-esteem, confidence, independence and language and communication skills.

˜Forest School is an inspirational process that offers children, young people and adult’s regular opportunities to achieve and develop confidence and self-esteem through hands on learning experiences in a local woodland environment ˜ - Forest Education Initiative (FEI)

A Research Summary provided by the Forest Education Initiative shows the impact that the Outdoor Learning experience in Forest Schools has had a positive impact on children who have experienced it.

The findings from the 2005 summary confirmed that the main aims of Forest Schools were achieved and children’s confidence, social skills and enthusiasm to learn were increased. (Forest School:A Marvellous Opportunity to Learn, FEI)

Children’s passion for learning is initiated and/or improved by their fascination of their surroundings in the woodland. Concentration seems to be heightened and also their motivation to work and communicate with their peers during group exercises.

Forest Schools are definitely the way forward for education. The activities on offer are suitable for many different age groups. But for children in particular, there are essential skills to be learnt which cannot be taught in a classroom setting. The dynamics in a classroom are in extreme contrast to those in the outside world, providing the children with a more spacious environment and different learning opportunities and curiosities which would simply not be found indoors.

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