Forest School
When we go down to the woods today…….
At Connaught, we are proud to offer every child from Year 3 to Year 6, three Forest School sessions per year spread across the autumn, spring and summer terms. Forest School activities range from becoming leaf and bug detectives to lighting fires and using bow saws. Some sessions focus on science, others on art, DT or even Maths and English. All are designed to be fun and engaging for the children so that they will grow in confidence and learn to love the outdoors. Each session lasts approximately 90 minutes and takes place as part of their regular 8-week rotation of activities.
All sessions are led by our qualified Forest School Leaders, Mrs Gibson and Mrs Collins. For many of our children, Forest School is the highlight of their week. As the children get the opportunity to work in our natural areas such as Connaught Copse they will have the chance to develop their personal, social, emotional and technical skills, all whilst enjoying the freedom of the outdoors.
Our Forest School programme develops alongside our children. They will work their way through various activities, growing in confidence as they go.
Forest School Adventure begins here…….Connaught Copse
A year in Forest School
Year 3
Autumn Term
Year 3 children begin in the Autumn term discovering our outdoor area, identifying trees and leaves making their very own leaf crowns.
Spring Term
During the Spring term our children get the opportunity to build their very own bird nests. They will identify the features of a nest and collect the materials while working in pairs or small groups.
Summer Term
An exciting time in our Forest School calendar as Connaught Copse becomes alive with all sorts of wildlife. During this term our Year 3s enjoy bug hunting and exploring the habitat for all sorts of wonderful creatures. Working together they will design and build their very own bug hotels.
Year 4
Autumn Term
Year 4 embark on their forest school experience in the Autumn term discovering food chains and food webs. Working together they will be able to identify and classify plants and animals into relevant groups. Learning about the importance of energy from the Sun.
Spring Term
As spring brings new beginnings, Connaught Copse erupts with new life, Year 4 get the chance to explore and discover by taking part in our woodland treasure hunt. With the help of our little friend Squirrel Nutkin, they will work together, map read and find where Squirrel Nutkin has buried their acorns.
Summer Term
Connaught Copse is awash with life and during our summer sessions Year 4 are encouraged to explore their imagination. They will get creative and imagine a world they cannot see and try to bring it to life. In small group they will create mini shelters for mini people and creatures, they will build a story around their creations and share with the other groups.
Year 5
Autumn Term
‘A picture is worth a thousand words’.
Year 5 have to embrace their creativity during the spring session. Working in small groups or individually they will create some ‘natural art’ using only materials sourced within Connaught Copse. Using sticks, moss, leaves, stones and other natural resources they will create a work of art. Each group get the opportunity to exhibit their artwork and present their creative process.
Spring Term
Year 5 forest school adventure begins with an introduction to the birds in our local area. Using resources scattered within Connaught Copse we gather as much information about our common garden and woodland birds. As the Autumn sets in the children make their own natural bird feeders, using pine cones with lard and bird seed. They hang them around the copse with some choosing to take theirs home to feed the birds in their own gardens.
Summer Term
An exciting time for our Year 5 forest school. This term the children make their own natural fidget spinners, this introduces the use of tools and PPE. We model the use of a bow saw and palm drill and under close supervision the children then get their chance to have a go. Whilst a small group use the tools the remaining children lay a sensory trial through forest school and blindfolded are challenged to navigate the trail, this activity gets lots of smiles and laughter.
Year 6
Autumn Term
Year 6 begin their forest school journey by taking part in shelter building. In this session they will learn about the features of a good shelter, safe and secure. They learn to negotiate, problem-solve, manage and work as part of a team. They develop their senses, social connections, confidence, perseverance and resilience.
Spring Term
‘Fire’ this session is a highlight in the Year 6 forest school calendar. Groups follow instructions and learn fire safety skills. They will a light fire using a flint and steel and natural tinder. The children learn the scientific elements to fire, discussions on what a fire needs - the fire triangle (oxygen, fuel and heat). This is a very exciting session with the children getting the opportunity to use the fire they have lit to warm marshmallows along with a small cup of hot chocolate.
Summer Term
The end of a journey for our Year 6’s: having grown in confidence during their forest school adventures they are ready to be shown how to use fixed blade knives to whittle and create their own Mayan totem poles. While half of the group works with the tools the other half model their own clay Mayan mask. The other half are introduced to the tool area and PPE is handed out. Tool safety and instructions are given before the group begin to whittle and decorate the totems.
Meet our Forest School Mascots
Bear Grylls & Badger
Badger : Take nothing but photos, leave nothing but footprints.
Bear Grylls : Kindness and courage and never give up.
Bear & Badger are a firm favourite for some of our Connaught children. They often wander off and hide in all sorts of places, which leaves the children then hunting for them to ensure their safe return.
Squirrel Nutkin
Squirrel Nutkin helps provide support in map reading sessions. Being a little forgetful they need help from our children to find their missing acorns.
Feeling Rocks / Mood Monsters
Our feeling rocks provide a way for our children to express and understand their emotions. During sessions feelings and mood changes and mostly for the better!
