Forest Schools

Forest Schools were introduced in Sweden in the 1950s and some Schools in Britain have taken the idea and adapted it to thier own Schools. Forest Schools are based on outdoor learning, and learning through exploration of the environment. All of the national curriculum subjects are met in Forest Schools, it is just done in a way that stimulates the pupils learning by using the environment around them.
It is made sure that the children have appropriate clothing for the current weather as even if it is raining the pupils still go out. Enough food and drink needs to be brought and also to ensure that the children feel safe in the environment. To keep the pupils safe, some Schools have an area in which the children are to stay in. This area may be outlined by tying rope in an area, and telling the children that they are to stay inside the area and to not cross the rope. This is just one of the ways in which Forest Schools make it safer for children to learn outdoors.
The teacher will carry out a daily risk assessment, this is where the teacher will check to make sure each pupil has suitable clothing and footwear. The teacher will give a safety brief for the children and accompanying adults. The adults will also be aware of the site entrance and the safety evacuation point.

Here is a video I found which shows some children learning outdoors

The video shows how the children have a natural curiosity for exploring the outside world. They usually stay in small groups and learn together. The pupils often help each other through encouragement, once one child accomplishes something, for example climbing a tree, they can help the other children do it as well.
When the pupils are learning for themselves, the teacher will go around the groups helping some of the children or giving them ideas that they can try.
One of the benefits of learning in an outdoor environment is that the childrens visual, auditory and kinesthetic skills are all being used. This means that it is a great way to help those who suffer with any of these skills.

Some of the activities involved are tool skills, lighting fires, shelter building, climbing and even fletching with some supervision. There are lots of different games that can be played and all of them help to enhance the pupils learning.
For many of the activities, team work is essential so the pupils will have to use thier communication skills. Working in a team is one of the most important skills, it is beneficial for both work and to develop yourself. Through working as a team you start to understand your own strengths and weaknesses yourself.
Many of the skills the students will learn are transferable to many different situations this will come to later. and the self esteem of the pupils has raised.