Forest School at DPA

Forest School is an experience that offers children of all ages the opportunity to develop their confidence and self-esteem through hands-on learning in a woodland environment.  We have a developed a programme that builds skills and knowledge over time.  Years 1-6 will be offered a half term sequence of sessions each year that ensure over time the children experience Forest School in every season.  In Early Years the children will attend forest School sessions regularly throughout the year.

Forest School is led by a teacher who has a Level 3 Forest School qualification. Our site is still young, but over the six years since it was established it has become a haven to a range of flora and fauna. There are a range of native trees that have been planted, this allows the children to identify trees and sometimes find the tree that has their class name. We have a shelter that is a useful gathering place both when the sun is strong and also in wet weather. Forest School benefitted from the extensive grounds work that took place in 2021/22. The site has been extended to now include a chestnut grove and additional planting of grown layer plants, shrubs and trees. We also have a designated area that we use as a fire circle, teaching children how to respect fire and safely enjoy collective meetings around a fire pit. Our site has been developed to provide opportunities for children to follow their own lines of enquiry and exploration, as well as developing new skills in an outdoor environment.