Forest School

Learning, Growing and Succeeding Through Nature

At Laleham Gap, we recognise that some of the most powerful learning experiences take place beyond the classroom walls.

Our Forest School programme provides children and young people with opportunities to explore, discover, create and develop through meaningful experiences in nature. Led by our qualified Forest School practitioners, the provision combines outdoor learning, personal development and therapeutic support to help children build confidence, resilience and independence.

Forest School is a specialised approach to outdoor learning that places the child at the centre of the experience. Through regular sessions over time, pupils are encouraged to take supported risks, solve problems, work collaboratively and develop a stronger understanding of themselves and the natural world around them.

Our Forest School provision supports pupils from Primary through to Post-16 and forms an important part of our wider commitment to wellbeing, personal development and learning beyond the classroom. It is delivered both as whole-classes and to targetted individuals for wellbeing support.

Kestrel View: Our On-Site Forest School

Our purpose-built Forest School area, Kestrel View, provides a safe and inspiring outdoor environment where pupils can learn through hands-on experiences.

Named after the kestrels that frequently visit the school grounds, Kestrel View reflects our school vision of Learn, Grow, Succeed by encouraging learners to develop communication, teamwork, problem-solving skills and self-confidence in an outdoor setting.

Pupils take part in a wide range of activities including:

• 🔥 Learning to manage and use campfires safely
• 🍳 Outdoor cooking and food preparation
• 🪵 Woodwork and tool use
• 🏕️ Den building and shelter construction
• 🌿 Nature exploration and environmental learning
• 🧭 Orienteering and outdoor challenges
• 🎯 Group games that develop teamwork and communication
• ✨ Fire-lighting using flint and steel
• 🎨 Forest crafts and creative projects
• 🐞 Wildlife observation and conservation activities

These activities provide opportunities for pupils to develop practical skills while experiencing success, challenge and enjoyment in a supportive environment.

Forest School Interventions

Alongside whole-class sessions, Forest School forms part of our wider wellbeing strategies and interventions offer.

Many pupils access additional Forest School sessions to support specific needs identified through their Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP), wellbeing reviews or pastoral support plans. Forest School has been used to support pupils with:

• Emotional regulation
• Anxiety and confidence building
• Social interaction and friendship skills
• Transition support
• Sensory processing needs
• Self-esteem and resilience
• Positive engagement with learning

Across the school, Forest School is frequently incorporated into personalised support programmes because the outdoor environment provides a different context in which pupils can experience success, build relationships and develop coping strategies. Evidence from provision plans and intervention programmes shows Forest School supporting wellbeing, sensory regulation and positive participation in school life.

Learning Outside the Classroom

Forest School is one part of our wider commitment to Learning Outside the Classroom (LOtC).

Learning Outside the Classroom is an educational approach that uses real-world experiences to enrich learning and promote personal development. Research has shown that high-quality outdoor learning can improve confidence, independence, motivation, communication and emotional wellbeing.

For pupils with SEND, outdoor learning can be particularly beneficial because it:

• Provides meaningful sensory experiences
• Encourages movement and physical activity
• Supports social communication in natural contexts
• Reduces anxiety and pressure associated with traditional classroom environments
• Develops independence and problem-solving skills
• Creates opportunities for success that may not emerge in a classroom setting

At Laleham Gap School, Learning Outside the Classroom can also include Beach School activities, use of our local community, environmental projects and educational visits, all of which help pupils apply their learning in meaningful and purposeful ways.

Working with Nature

We are passionate about helping pupils develop an appreciation of the natural world and their role within it.

Through Forest School, pupils learn about wildlife, habitats, sustainability and environmental responsibility. They are encouraged to care for their surroundings, respect living things and understand the importance of protecting our environment for future generations.

We are proud that our Forest School provision has been recognised through participation in nature-based initiatives, including achieving the RSPB Wild Challenge Bronze Award, reflecting the commitment of both pupils and staff to environmental learning and conservation.

Willowbanks Outdoor Learning

Alongside our on-site provision, we enjoy a strong partnership with Willowbanks, a rural outdoor learning site set within the Kent countryside.

Willowbanks offers pupils opportunities to experience larger woodland environments, ponds and natural habitats whilst developing a range of outdoor skills. Activities may include:

• Campfire cooking
• Fishing
• Shelter building
• Environmental learning
• Team challenges
• Exploration of woodland and pond habitats

Willowbanks is often used for class-based learning experiences and also supports selected intervention work where additional outdoor experiences may benefit individual pupils. Staff regularly comment on the positive impact these sessions have on engagement, confidence and enjoyment.

A Place to Thrive

Whether they are building a den, preparing food on a campfire, exploring wildlife habitats or working together to solve a challenge, Forest School gives pupils opportunities to develop skills that extend far beyond the woodland environment.

At Kestrel View and Willowbanks, our pupils learn to take supported risks, develop confidence, build positive relationships and discover what they are capable of achieving.

It is a place where children and young people can learn, grow and succeed through connection with nature, with others and with themselves.