Tillingbourne Junior School

We are currently developing use of our woodland area to support and enhance children’s learning. This year we have introduced “Forest Schools” learning to our year 3 children.

The philosophy of Forest Schools is to encourage and inspire individuals of any age through a creative approach to outdoor play and learning in a woodland environment. 

Our children visit the woodlands on a regular basis and through play and exploration, have the opportunity to learn about the natural environment, how to handle risks, develop their use of tools and most importantly to use their own initiative to solve problems and co-operate with others.

Most sessions start with warm up games designed to stimulate mind, body and spirit and focusing the children’s senses. During sessions, children are encouraged to follow their own interests with a variety of activities available. Children learn about nature through play and crafts; develop their use of tools including flint and steel, saws, peelers and knives in practical tasks; are creative with natural materials; improve their physical skills using rope bridges, knot tying and den building and develop their social skills learning the art of co-operation and compromise. Sessions always close with a reflection time where the nurturing environment of the woodland and gathering circle facilitate some honest and profound comments from the children.

So far children have enjoyed fire lighting, building natural habitats, many craft activities using natural materials, learning about trees and their uses, making dens on a very wet day, learning about bats echo location skills through play, designing minibeast Olympic courses, using rope bridges, whittling around the fire, playing group games, following trust trails and much much more…!

We have seen children grow in confidence and self-esteem and become self-motivated and independent through our use of the woodlands.