At Middle Park, we believe that through the use of Forest school we ensure our children build on their self-esteem and independence through exploring and experiencing their natural world. We encourage and develop out-door skills by setting them new challenges and experiences outside the classroom. This is planned in line with the National Curriculum and EYFS Framework through teachers termly and weekly class planning.

This careful planning takes into account each child’s individual need. We ensure we meet these needs by careful listening, observing and reflecting on these. Children are supported in child-initiated and spontaneous learning by adults because they know the children’s needs and they are able to ensure that they are sufficiently challenged and helped to make accelerated progress.

We use the National Curriculum and EYFS Framework to develop and extend all children’s learning in the setting of Forest School. This builds collaboration skills, practical problem solving and real life working skills. It encourages the children to think critically and reflect and evaluate their own learning. Forest School takes place all the year round and in all weathers the earlier sessions will concentrate on safety and as confidence and familiarity with the environment the sessions focus on the development and consolidation of skills and understanding.