Forest School at South Camberley is an inspiring way for children to learn, grow, and connect with the world around them. Rooted in the principles of the Forest School approach, our sessions nurture the whole child — fostering confidence, resilience, independence, and a lifelong love of nature.

Originating in Scandinavia in the 1950s, Forest School was introduced to the UK in the 1970s because of its proven impact on children’s development. At South Camberley, we’re proud to continue this tradition, giving pupils the chance to explore, discover, and flourish in the great outdoors.

An Ambitious and Coherently Sequenced Curriculum 

Our Forest School programme is not just about muddy knees and fresh air; it is driven by an ambitious and coherently sequenced curriculum. We deliberately plan our outdoor learning to build secure foundations for our youngest learners in Reception, whilst offering progressive, age-appropriate challenges right through to Year 6. 

By taking learning outside, we actively enrich our childrens' cultural capital, ensuring they gain a wealth of vital life experiences. Furthermore, our teachers purposefully use retrieval practice during outdoor sessions—helping children recall and apply knowledge from their literacy lessons, science, geography, and maths lessons to real-world, natural settings. 

Highly Inclusive, Adaptive Teaching 

We are proud of our highly inclusive practice and know that every child learns differently, which is why our staff use evidence-informed, adaptive teaching outdoors. This means our activities and adult support are continually adjusted to meet individual needs, successfully removing barriers to learning so that every single child can achieve their full potential.  

We offer a cohesive curriculum journey with dedicated, purpose-built nature areas at each site. 

What Do We Do at Forest School? 

Our child-led sessions focus heavily on holistic development and character building. Within our safe and nurturing environment, children are encouraged to make choices, manage appropriate risks, and build profound trust in their own abilities. 

Carefully risk-assessed activities include: 

• Practical Life Skills: Cooking over a campfire and learning to use tools safely, which develops fine motor skills and a sense of responsibility. 

• Teamwork and Resilience: Tree climbing, den building, and collaborative games that build emotional literacy and help establish positive routines in behaviour and peer support. 

• Environmental Stewardship: Nature-based projects such as bug hotels, leaf rubbing, and natural art, which instil a lifelong respect for our planet. 

Whatever the Weather! 

To truly build resilience, our Forest School sessions take place in all weathers (strictly adhering to safety guidelines regarding wind speeds). Experiencing the changing seasons helps children learn to adapt, regulating their emotions and responses to the world around them. Children need to be suitably dressed to face the elements.

 

Curriculum Overview