ABOUT US

Our team includes Forest School Leaders and Forest School Assistants. All Leaders have a First Aid Qualification (Outdoor & Paediatric First Aid) and all staff hold an enhanced DBS certificate. We also have Bucks County Council approved mini bus drivers on our team.

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From the students of Hughenden Primary School.

“Fantastic Forest School. We can’t believe how much fun we have had at forest school this term. We were given the opportunities to make dens, climb trees, dig and go on the swing. The teacher, Julie, brought in materials so we could make awesome crafts such as cranberry hearts, cheerio bird feeders, wood stars and clay monsters. On our last lesson, we lit a fire and toasted some scrumptious marshmallows. We also did amazing activities with another forest school leader, Mrs Mabey. But it wasn’t all hard work; there was time for snacks as well. We had either hot orange or blackcurrant squash and yummy biscuits. Although it is lots of fun, we have some rules to follow and they are: Don’t go in the fire circle, Don’t climb the tree if it is slippery and no teachers are allowed on the swing."
Sanna – Year 6
“Fun in the forest. Thinking back to our time in forest school, we were to do lots of thrilling activities. You are always entertained by the activities which include exciting skills such as: digging, fires (toasting marshmallows on fires), den building, making clay models, making homes/habitats for woodland creatures and of course, our favourite, a rope swing to swing on! We can’t wait for our next time!”
Luke R – Year 6
“Wonderful Wednesdays at Forest School. Over the past couple of weeks, every Wednesday afternoon, Year 5 have got dressed in their waterproofs, pulled on their wellies and squelched over the field to the conservation area for an afternoon of amazing activities at Forest school. The sessions start by going through the rules, e.g. don’t go into the fire circle and think about others around you when using tools. But the most important rules we have is to have fun. We got the chance to do some exciting things that some children never get to do like build shelters and light fires. Maybe we will get to have more fun in forest school in the summer term. We can’t wait!”
Ella – Year 5
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At St. Albert the Great Catholic Primary School, we are fortunate to have, not only a new and bespoke school building, but also a superb outdoor area. This includes a fantastic spinney, which is home to our ‘Forest School’.

We are delighted to partner with ‘Chiltern Forest Schools’ to provide weekly opportunities for our pupils to achieve and develop confidence and self-esteem through hands-on learning experiences in our woodland.

Led by qualified Forest School practitioners, our pupils take part in a range of inspirational activities from shelter building and woodland crafts, to cooking on open fires.
Our ‘Forest School’ perfectly complements our whole school focus on ‘learning powers’, allowing the children to take supported risks and become resilient, independent and creative learners.

In addition, our pupils have the opportunity to take part in regular outdoor activities at lunch-time, as part of our ‘Forest School Friday’ initiative.
‘In 2011, UNICEF, asked children what they needed to be happy, and the top three things were time (particularly with families), friendships and yearningly, ‘outdoors’. Studies show that when children are allowed unstructured play in nature, their sense of freedom, independence and inner strength all thrive, and children surrounded by nature are not only less stressed but also bounce back from stressful events more readily.’

‘KITH, The Riddle of the Childscape’ by Jay Griffiths’

Important Information

Many people believe that there is no such thing as ‘bad weather’ only ‘the wrong clothing’. Our Forest School sessions and events run in all weathers (the only weather that may put a stop to sessions are lightening and extremely high wind. In order to have a positive experience, children need to be dressed appropriately, so old, inexpensive clothes are most suitable. These guidelines should help:

  • Waterproof Jacket – essential in autumn, winter & spring but useful all year round.
  • Waterproof trousers – essential in autumn, winter & spring but useful all year round.
  • All-in-one waterproofs are very useful, especially for younger children.
  • Layers – more in winter (3 or 4 is fine – 2 isn’t enough!) e.g. Vest, T-shirt (long sleeved), long sleeved jumper / hoody, coat/ waterproof jacket.
  • Long trousers (shorts are not appropriate due to the nature of the woodland, with stinging and scratching hazards).
  • Wellies / other waterproof boots (2 pairs of socks in winter), strong shoes / trainers available for all seasons.
  • Wooly hat (much heat is lost from the head).
  • Gloves, preferably waterproof (extremities do get cold in winter).
  • Spare socks.
  • Sun screen / sun hat (in summer).

We have a duty of care for your child and we make every attempt to ensure that they are dressed appropriately (using spare resources where possible). However we will not be able to take children if they are inadequately dressed.

Leaders hold an outdoor paediatric first-aid qualification and carry a well equipped first-aid kit.

If you have any concerns then please contact us where we will be pleased to discuss them with you.

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Outdoor School of bushcraft and other outdoor activities for children and adults in Buckinghamshire.

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