Forest School Intent

It is our intention that all children across the school will take part in our Forest School provision which takes place on site in our Forest School area known as 'Ecoland'.  We believe that this enriches our curriculum provision and brings a wide range of benefits which:

* allow all children to connect with nature, develop a love of the outdoors, and learn how to look after the environment

*allows all the children to learn, play, explore and experience the natural world

* promotes the development of maintaining healhty lifestyles through developing their positive mental health and well being

*builds their independence and self esteem

*promotes life skills

*develops their team building, communication, problem solving and resilience skills as well as working co-operatively with their peers

In the Advent Term, Key Stage One children will:

• Learn to use tools to make items from natural resources in our school grounds;
• Learn how to make and light an open fire safely;
• Celebrate their achievements over hot chocolate together;
• Look for signs of Autumn, plant spring flowering bulbs, sow seeds and collect leaves;
• Find out about woodlice and other native animals and how we can use our findings to encourage more wildlife into Ecoland and our school grounds. 

Lower Key Stage Two children will:

• Use bow saws to cut wood which they then split with bill hooks to make mallets;
• Gather together to toast marshmallows and share their achievements;
• Make and light fires which they will keep burning for five minutes;
• Make and light a fire to boil water in a Kelly Kettle.

Upper Key Stage Two children will:

• Explore and investigate Ecoland;
• Use bow saws, bill hooks and knives to make a mallet and tent peg
• Take part in an Art in the Environment Hedgehog Competition to create a mascot for Notts Outdoors;
• Plant Spring flowering bulbs;
• Toast marshmallows and enjoy hot chocolate together.
   

We take part in the RSPB's Wild Challenge.

This scheme enables children to connect with and learn about nature through a series of fun and engaging activities.

The activities were to Help and Experience Nature in our school grounds.

We have been completed the Bronze Award and are working towards the Silver Award.

We also take part in the Big Schools' Birdwatch for the fifth year running, which highlights how birds are faring across the UK.