Forest School is brilliant outdoor play & learning for Early Years & Primary age children - it develops skills, confidence, well being & nature connection. And here's (some of) the proof!
We've gathered together work by academics & professionals looking into the quantitative and qualitative benefits of Forest School.
The evidence continues to grow & new research continues to be undertaken. This is by no means an exhaustive list. Do contact us if you know of more to add: share@muddyfaces.co.uk
These reports & research are, as much as possible, arranged in chronological order, most recent at the top.
The Breeze Forest School Project 2018-21 Evaluation Report, Executive Summary
This report details three years of co-produced research between Newcastle University, Scotswood Garden and four schools in the North East of England between September 2018 and July 2021. The research evaluated the impact of the Breeze Project, which uses a Forest School (FS) approach to work with schools to support the needs of children and young people (CYP) aged 5 to 16 years with social and emotional difficulties. Lucy Tiplady, Newcastle University.
Forest School for wellbeing: an environment in which young people can ‘take what they need’
Academic paper documenting the methodology and results of the Breeze Project. Lucy S E Tiplady & Harriet Menter, Journal of Adventure Education & Outdoor Learning, 29 Feb 2020.
Forest School for wellbeing an environment in which young people can take what they need
Evidence for the benefits to children of learning outdoors, to academic achievement of taking the curriculum outside, and research into other aspects of learning outside the classroom.
Research documents arranged in chronological order, most recent at the top