Forest School

Forest School is an initiative which originated in Scandinavia in the 1950s, which aims to increase the understanding and appreciation, particularly among young people, of the environmental, social, and economic potential of trees, woodlands and forests.

Our large site at Sevenoaks Prep, bordering Knole Park, has a dedicated Forest School area where classes and after-school clubs enjoy weekly opportunities to learn in the great outdoors.  Forest School activities help to develop problem-solving skills and an appreciation of nature and all living things, encourage pupils to work as part of a team and at other times independently, develops inquisitive minds and positive attitudes to learning.

The covered fire pit, outdoor classroom, muddy slide, creepy crawly houses and butterfly shelters ignite enthusiasm in the children.

The flexibility of outdoor learning and teaching is liberating for our staff and consequently more relevant and enlightening for the children.  Our Forest School ethos is embedded within the curriculum and is not something that is tagged onto the learning experience.  The discoveries that we make beyond the boundaries of the classroom will often follow us back to school and children’s self-esteem grows with the praise they receive when they ‘have a go’.