Forest School articles & blogs

Why Prioritising Activities Undermines Forest School's Potential

"... a common pitfall that can diminish the effectiveness of a Forest School programme is the over-prioritisation of structured activities at the expense of child-led play." Danny English, 31 August 2024.

Nature Box Forest School: Inspectors heap praise on specialist outdoor school where staff 'work tirelessly'

"A Sheffield forest school that prides itself on all its learning taking place in the great outdoors has been given the best possible rating by Ofsted." The Star, 31 December 2022.

Forest School Risk Assessment

This thoughtful blog post considers the risks of summer sunshine and the importance of appropriate clothes, then goes on to look at risk assessments in the time of Covid, finally sharing the Risk Assessment document used at Chartham Primary Forest School in Kent.
Mama Beech, 13 August 2020

COVID-19 & Forest School: statement from the Forest School Association

Periodically updated statement from the FSA addressing the affect of lockdown measures on Forest School provision. Comments on & links to government guidance. FSA members can access a tool to support their risk assessments & adherence to guidelines.

Forest schools: When every day is a field trip day

'Forest schools and playgroups are putting nature centre stage. Learn all about the benefits of this type of education..' Real examples of Forest Schools in Canada, demonstrating the day to day business of Forest Schools and the benefits to the children who attend.
Today's Parent (CA), 2 January 2020

Forest school in the early years

"The forest school experience offers many benefits to young children and encourages development across all areas of the EYFS". Looks at principles, developing a Forest School, training, benefits and safety.
Croner-I, 30 August 2019

Forest schools: is yours more a marketing gimmick than an outdoors education?

Think-piece: 'Some UK schools have merely jumped on the bandwagon of the popular Scandinavian idea, a new book argues ... some schools and nurseries ... are using the term as a marketing tool ... the term is being widely used to describe general outdoor “getting muddy” activities.' What do you think? The Guardian, 25 June 2019

Forest schools: how climbing trees and making dens can help children develop resilience

'Research suggests that [risky] outdoor play has significant benefits for children and can help to develop their emotional resilience ... children felt more independent, and as a result, had a greater sense of personal, social and environmental responsibility.
The Conversation, 13 June 2019

Challenging Behaviour – A balanced brain means a pro social mind

Jon Cree explores the question "what is a ‘balanced brain’", and how Forest School can help bring the brain into balance and the child regulate their behaviour.
Circle of Life Rediscovery blog, 27 March 2019

Tide’s out, school’s in: the many benefits of beach teaching

‘Following forest school, latest trend in getting children to learn outdoors is beach school’.
The Guardian, 7 January 2019

Using the outdoors as a classroom: Forest School approach being explored in Kenora

‘Being outside ‘makes us happier beings’ and more attentive says principal of Keewatin Public School.’ Nice description of how the curriculum is being taken outdoors at a school in Ontario.
CBC (Canada), 3 April 2018

Return to old habits as babies encouraged to sleep outside in fresh air

Parents & nurseries influenced by the Forest School approach are leaving their children outside to sleep. “The health benefits of children just being outdoors & physically active is enormous & there is no evidence that any harm occurs provided babies are well-wrapped and not cold.”
The Telegraph (paywall), 3 February 2018

Nature Preschools and Kindergartens at Record Numbers in the US

‘A new national survey of nature-based early childhood educators found that the number of nature preschools and forest kindergartens operating in the U.S. is at an all-time high.’ This article examines the findings.
Natural Start Alliance (US), 17 November 2017

Wood Wise – nature inspires education

‘In this issue teachers and practitioners share their approaches to integrating nature with education.’ Articles include: Learning and development through forest school; Educating primary schools through Teaching Trees; and Bringing outdoor learning to life.
Journal of the Woodland Trust, Autumn 2017

See the outdoor nursery rated ‘outstanding’ where children saw wood & cook on open fires

‘The Elves and Fairies Woodland Nursery is seen as bucking Britain’s ‘cotton-wool’ culture with its learning through nature ethos.’
The Mirror, 17 April 2017

Play theory: understanding 'play types' and how they relate to Forest School...

"I have found Bob Hughes' theory of 'Play Types' very useful in gaining a better understanding of how and why kids play ... understanding these play types can be really helpful when planning, observing, or participating in children's play ... I made some resources to help me recall the different play types and how they can be supported at Forest School." Forest Schooled, February 2017.

Open fires and pointy sticks: the rise of Scandi-style nurseries in the UK

An exploration of Forest School and its benefits, with a focus on Little Forest Folk in Wimbledon, London.
The Telegraph (paywall), 6 April 2016

Meet the hunky headmaster who teaches kids to use a shotgun

Focus on a primary school in East Sussex using Forest School sessions and animal husbandry with its children.
The Telegraph (paywall), 7 February 2016

Preschool Without Walls

Extended article looking at the experience and reasons for the growth of outdoor kindergarten and child-led learning in the United States, including one critical voice.
New York Times, 29 December 2015

Inside the Scandinavian-style forest schools…

How Wildwoods Forest School in Surrey works, and what the parents and children think.
Daily Mail, 10 November 2015

Forest Schools: education in the great outdoors

Inspiring article looking at the history (it started in Wisconsin) and benefits of Forest School, with examples in Vermont and Ontario.
Outdoor Families Magazine (US), 9 September 2015

The Forest School revolution: leaves, logs and life skills

‘Outdoor learning is challenging traditional education root and branch, by teaching children self-esteem, team work and how to value nature.’
The Guardian, 21 April 2015

Forest schools: fires, trees & mud pies

'Outdoor nurseries are sweeping the UK, their focus on fresh air and child-centred learning rather than testing. But can they prepare children for our technology-obsessed world?'
The Guardian, 9 December 2014

Better out than in: Westgarth bush kindergarten plunges kids back into nature

Snapshot of a day at Westgarth – ‘the pioneers when they established the bush kindergarten three years ago, but it’s a concept that has spread like wildfire; there are at least eight now in Melbourne and regional Victoria and that number is growing.’
The Age (Australia), 18 July 2014

How can teachers introduce forest school principles to their curriculum?

'Forest schools help students develop confidence and creativity by teaching practical, outdoor skills – and teachers don't need a woodland on their doorstep to incorporate the ideas.' Includes tips from the FSA’s Jon Cree.
The Guardian, 13 May 2014

Outdoor lessons in winter

Don’t let snowy and wintry conditions put you off outdoor learning. Snow, rain and frost can offer the perfect settings for inspiring and outstanding lessons.
The Guardian, 29 January 2013

Saving childhoods in the forest

"Real learning is often muddy, windswept, chaotic and noisy - when did we become afraid of these things?" Lovely living example of how the learning process at Forest School works.
The Guardian, 28 June 2012

Forest gumption: why children should take lessons outdoors.

Looking at the Forest School movement, with visits to Govan High School‘s autism unit in Glasgow and full-time outside Secret Garden Outdoor Nursery in Fife.
The Independent, 11 February 2010

For Forest Kindergartners, Class Is Back to Nature, Rain or Shine

A nourishing record of a day with young children in their outdoor setting in Saratoga Springs NY, with a look into why the resource exists.
New York Times, 29 November 2009

Waldkindergärten: the forest nurseries where children learn in Nature’s classroom

A look at German forest kindergartens and their benefits.
The Telegraph (paywall), 18 October 2008

Trees of knowledge

‘If you go down to the woods, you’re sure of a special lesson.’ Looking at the school curriculum and Forest Schools.
The Guardian, 7 August 2001

Creative star – I’m a teacher get me OUTSIDE here!!

We always mention this site as it is so comprehensive and well written. If you haven’t already seen it this is a great blog site for all areas of being outdoors with your groups. Any questions just ask the creator Juliet Robertson – she is so knowledgeable and helpful.

Forest School Forever

Primary School teacher and Forest School Leader blog

Fagley Primary Forest School

Primary school in Bradford, Yorkshire, blogging about Forest School sessions since 2011.

Forest Schooled

Weekly posts linking Forest School experiences with theories and research on education, child development, and general human nature.

Get Out More blog: Adventures in Nature

“Helping people engage with nature to feel better in mind and body."

Kindling blog: the tinder box

Kindling ‘deliver adventurous, playful and creative experiences for children and young people in the outdoors.’ Loads of fab ideas in their blog.

Little Forest Folk: latest news from the forest

Fully-outdoor forest nurseries that immerse two to five-year-olds in nature, helping them become creative, resilient little learners.

Mama Beech

Indepth and thoughtful posts reflecting on Forest School practice." An #OutdoorLearning journey for Chartham #PrimarySchool in #Canterbury, #Kent. #Forest School and 9 Acres of outside #curriculum possibilities."

Milford PreSchool Plus: X (Twitter) page

Milford's Forest School practitioner Sarah Rix consistently posts inspiring photos and thought-provoking tweets documenting and reflecting on their outdoor sessions - recommended. (also on Facebook)

Tree Tools for Schools (formerly Nature Detectives)

"We know our activities are valued by teachers and other educators, so we’ve gathered together all our schools' resources and the most popular Nature Detectives activities in one place. You can now access them in our free online learning hub." The Woodland Trust.

Welton Freerangers Forest School Nursery

Farming their land for 3 generations, and blogging about their award-winning Forest School since 2011.