William Penn as a Forest School
At William Penn we believe that children have the right to play and experience the outdoors and the
world around them. Allowing children to take risks and be curious gives them opportunities to build confidence and self-esteem. Helping those who struggle with indoor learning to learn and develop in a natural environment.
world around them. Allowing children to take risks and be curious gives them opportunities to build confidence and self-esteem. Helping those who struggle with indoor learning to learn and develop in a natural environment.
Areas of development:
- Personal, social, and emotional
- Communication and language
- Mathematics- Problem solving, reasoning and numeracy
- Understanding the World
- Physical
- Expressive Arts and Design-creative
What does a William Penn Forest School session look like?
Forest school is run by a qualified Forest School leader. All leaders have an up to date first aid qualification, (paediatric and outdoor elements).
There is a high leader/adult ratio to learners, with risk assessments of the woodland site being carried out before and during each session.
All our forest School sessions are held on school grounds, within our wooded and wildlife area. A leader will set adaptable small activities, ensuring learners have the space, freedom, and time to learn at their own pace. Giving children an outside space to explore has a positive and ongoing effect on mental and physical wellbeing.
Each session is planned by the Forest leader around the needs of the group and individual’s making sure every child is treated as an individual and respected. All behaviour, tasks and language are modelled by forest school leaders and by all other adults. This helps to promote positive behaviour, team building, self-awareness, resilience and awareness of others and needs.