Forest School at KWPS

Subject Leader: Mr Smith

What Forest School Looks Like at KWPS

Forest School at Kirkham and Wesham Primary School provides children with regular opportunities to learn outdoors through hands-on, practical experiences that support both the wider curriculum and their personal development.

Sessions take place in our on-site Forest School area, which includes trees, hedging and areas of natural planting. Additional natural resources are brought onto site to enrich learning, encourage creativity and provide a stimulating outdoor environment.

Children take part in a wide range of practical activities, including:

den building
safe tool use
nature exploration
woodland crafts
bug hunting and wildlife observation
fire lighting and campfire cooking (where appropriate)
environmental art
team-building challenges
storytelling and imaginative play
seasonal investigations.

Every session encourages exploration, supported risk-taking, problem-solving, collaboration and reflection. Children are given opportunities to develop confidence, resilience and independence while building a strong connection with the natural world.

Enrichment

Forest School enriches the curriculum by providing memorable outdoor learning experiences that develop confidence, independence and resilience while bringing classroom learning to life.

Children experience:

seasonal Forest School sessions
outdoor curriculum links across a range of subjects
environmental and sustainability activities
practical problem-solving challenges
nature exploration
campfire cooking (where appropriate)
woodland crafts
wildlife observation
opportunities to work collaboratively and independently.

These experiences help children develop valuable life skills, deepen their understanding of the natural environment and foster a lifelong appreciation of the outdoors.

The Intent of our Forest School Curriculum

At Kirkham and Wesham Primary School, we believe Forest School provides children with unique opportunities to learn through exploration, challenge and discovery in a natural environment. Our child-centred approach, based on the Forest School Association principles, nurtures curiosity, confidence, resilience and independence while supporting children's physical, social, emotional and cognitive development.

Through regular outdoor learning experiences, children develop practical skills, learn to manage risk safely, solve problems collaboratively and build a lifelong appreciation of the natural world. Forest School encourages every child to become confident, independent learners who value nature, respect the environment and understand their place within it.

The Implementation of our Forest School Curriculum

Forest School is delivered as a structured programme across the school, with each year group participating in a block of sessions led by our qualified Forest School Leader, who holds appropriate outdoor learning and first aid qualifications.

Each session follows a consistent structure:

introduction and safety briefing
practical activities and exploration
opportunities for child-led learning and play
reflection and discussion.

Children progressively develop skills through:

practical exploration
supported risk-taking
problem-solving
teamwork
safe tool use
environmental awareness
reflection and self-evaluation.

Learning is carefully adapted to meet the needs of all pupils and is linked to the wider curriculum where appropriate, such as History, Science and Geography. Comprehensive risk assessments are completed for the site, tools and activities to ensure learning remains safe, purposeful and enjoyable.

Assessment

Assessment is continuous and informs future learning.

Forest School practitioners assess children's development through:

observation
pupil discussion
practical activities
reflection
photographs and learning journals (where appropriate).

Assessment focuses on personal development alongside practical skills, resilience, confidence and engagement with outdoor learning.

The Impact of our Forest School Curriculum

Through Forest School, pupils at KWPS:

✔ develop confidence and independence
✔ build resilience and problem-solving skills
✔ improve physical coordination and fine motor skills
✔ deepen their understanding of the natural world
✔ develop strong communication and teamwork skills
✔ show increased curiosity and enjoyment of learning

Our pupils leave KWPS with increased confidence, resilience and independence, alongside a meaningful connection with the natural world. Forest School equips children with practical life skills, encourages curiosity and supports their wellbeing, helping them become confident learners both inside and outside the classroom.

Progression of Skills

Children progressively develop knowledge and skills across:

physical development
communication and language
teamwork and collaboration
resilience and independence
environmental awareness
problem-solving
risk management
safe tool use
observation and exploration.

Each year builds upon prior learning, enabling pupils to become increasingly confident, independent and resilient outdoor learners.

Inclusion and Accessibility

Our Forest School curriculum is designed to be accessible to all pupils. Activities are adapted through appropriate support, differentiated tasks and flexible approaches to ensure every child can access, enjoy and achieve success in outdoor learning.

We meet our duties under the Equality Act 2010 and SEND regulations by:

adapting activities to meet individual needs
providing appropriate support and guidance
ensuring a safe and supportive environment
maintaining high expectations for all learners.

Forest School promotes confidence, resilience and independence while ensuring every child feels valued and included.

Key Documents

Risk Assessments
Forest School Policy

Find Out More

If you would like more information about Forest School, please contact:

Mr Smith – Forest School Leader
Enquiries can be made via the school office