Forest School

Our Lady of Grace offers “Forest School” play to our children led by our Forest School Leader, Mrs Marchant. Forest School is a child-centred inspirational learning process that offers opportunities for holistic growth through regular sessions. It is a long-term programme that supports play, exploration and supported risk taking. It develops confidence and self-esteem through learner inspired, hands-on experiences in a natural setting and offers learners the opportunity to take supported risks appropriate to the environment and to themselves.

In the Autumn Term 2022, our Year 1 children will make weekly trips to Gladstone park for forest school sessions with a Forest School Lead who will measure the children’s sense of Nature Connectedness, wellbeing, outdoor confidence and the impact the programme has on the wider family unit (what we call the ‘ripple effect’).

Forest School Vision Statement

Forest School aims to facilitate children to:

Spend time in and reflect on the wonder of God’s creation

Make observations of the natural world

grow alongside nature

face challenges with a growth mindset

Show resilience when faced with difficulties

Show independence and gain new skills

Value themselves, each other and the natural world

Have time for process rather than outcomes

Enjoy calm times to reflect