About
Canopy Forest School was founded by Emma in 2021.
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We believe in the importance of connecting people to nature and providing a classroom with no walls.
Where the sky is the limit. Nature is the teacher and imagination, play and discovery the curriculum. Self-esteem, wellbeing, deep connections and a sense of wholeness and joy are the learning outcomes.
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What is Forest School?
Forest School is an experiential learning process. The roots of Forest School go back to the open-air Scandinavian culture of, friluftsliv, or free air life. Forest Schools arrived in the UK in 1993 and they have grown in strength ever since then.
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It is a child-centred learning process, where learners spend regular, sustained time in a natural, woodland environment. Through exploration, play and risk-taking they build confidence and self-esteem.
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The role of the leader is to help facilitate the ideas of the learner and help them reflect on their own development. They introduce specific skills, tools and knowledge as they become appropriate and meaningful to the child’s play.
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At Canopy Forest School, we incorporate the principles of Forest School into all of our sessions. The majority of each sessions is devoted to free play. We share stories, eat together in the fire circle and have areas with different resources set up but children are welcome to choose to interact with all, one or none of these.
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We experience and respond to the changing seasons and weather. If your child comes regularly, the leader can build a relationship, getting to know them and their interests. They will also grow in confidence as they get familiar with the environment, the leader and other children.
There are six key Forest School principles these are:
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Forest School is a long-term process of frequent and regular sessions in a woodland or natural environment, rather than a one-off visit. Planning, adaptation, observations and reviewing are integral elements of Forest School.
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Forest School takes place in a woodland or natural wooded environment to support the development of a relationship between the learner and the natural world.
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Forest School aims to promote the holistic development of all those involved, fostering resilient, confident, independent and creative learners.
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Forest School offers learners the opportunity to take supported risks appropriate to the environment and to themselves.
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Forest School is run by qualified Forest School practitioners who continuously maintain and develop their professional practice.
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Forest School uses a range of learner-centred processes to create a community for development and learning.
The Benefits
What makes Forest School unique is the emphasis on outdoor learning and having the freedom to explore the ever changing environment during a long term programme.
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Forest school can make a difference in the following ways:
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Builds confidence, self-esteem and self-belief
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Social skills
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Communication
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Connections and community
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Motivation
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Develops team working skills
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Promotes independence
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Physical skills
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Provides opportunities to take risks in a wild yet controlled environment
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Provides opportunities to develop thinking skills and solve problems
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Knowledge and understanding
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Learning new skills and fosters creativity
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Complements classroom and workplace learning where skills can be transferred
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It is lots of fun
