What a contrast to 20 years ago when I travelled to South Wales to visit one of the very first forest schools set up in this country. Back then the idea that schools should send infants out to play and learn in the woods was almost unheard of, but the reality was enchanting. These were children from poor estates, who had needed to be taught how to walk and run on uneven ground because their parents were too frightened even to let them loose in the local drug-infested parks. But by the time I visited them they were covered in mud, reeking of wood smoke and shrieking with glee as they made camps, collected pine cones, stirred puddles and generally behaved how small children should.
“The key thing to remember is that it’s all about freedom”
Since then thousands of forest schools have been set up, in all kinds of different ways. If schools don’t have land of their own, they partner with nature trusts or nearby private schools to make use of available woodland. Universities and colleges run forest schools, and in cities, councils have set aside patches of common for local schools to use. Private set-ups have also got in on the act, offering high-end private forest school experiences for parents prepared to pay. A few forest schools are hard-core, full-time woodland institutions with no indoor classrooms to retreat to, but most schools offer something like a weekly half-day in the woods for every child.
But even a weekly taster brings great benefits. Children grow in confidence, acquire new skills, learn to handle risk, learn about nature, and get healthier by being active in the woods. Very occasionally, children with severe health or behaviour problems can’t handle the weather or the freedom, but by and large schools say all their children gain from the forest experience.
The biggest danger seems to be that the idea of a forest school could become watered down by the bland British education machine. In Scandinavia, where the idea came from, there’s a firm view that this should be a child-led experience, where pupils are regularly turned out into the woods in all weathers, and over a long period of time, to invent, explore and imagine. If this involves risky things such as tree-climbing or penknife wielding, then so be it. Here we tend to be more cautious, keeping one eye on the weather and carefully shoe-horning forest school learning into the national curriculum framework. A sad sign of this was when Ofsted inspectors declined to label one forest school excellent, because, the inspectors said, it offered no opportunities for pupils to learn how to turn technical equipment on and off! Even worse, some schools are climbing on to the bandwagon by putting one staff member through forest school training, then advertising themselves as forest schools even though pupils do little more than occasionally walk in the park.
As summer comes in, it’s worth thinking how we can replicate the benefits of forest schooling at home. The key thing to remember is that it’s all about freedom. Encourage children to go outside, make sure they’re well-equipped for cold or wet, and then leave them to it. If the possibilities of the garden or park are limited, take them to the woods, or the beach – then take a back seat as they invent and explore. Obviously it’s important to keep an eye out for safety concerns, but try your best not to fuss, forbid or instruct. Children are naturally creative. Give them the time, space and freedom to concoct their own games, to try out ideas, and then to try out other ideas when the first ones don’t work.
If they seem reluctant to go outdoors, or listless when they get there, give them a nudge or two. Propose a family game of hide and seek, make up a treasure hunt, or suggest an activity like constructing a den, or drawing in the sand. You’ll find thousands of ideas for outdoor activities online. If your inner Boy Scout or Girl Guide kicks in, you could build a fire and cook marshmallows together, or pitch a tent and let older children try and sleep outside for the night (they’ll probably come in).
Remember – all these things will teach children more about themselves and the world around them than any number of hours staring at a screen – and they’ll be lots healthier and happier as well.
