Lessons move into the great outdoors as forest schools on the increase
SCHOOL isn’t always what it used to be. More priority is being placed on the value of getting out of the classroom and connecting with nature, especially with the rise of forest schools.
The concept, which will soon be rolled out on a larger scale in Bridgend, is designed to get children to enjoy the outdoors, and adapt to all sorts of settings.
Covid-19 has played a big factor in the growing popularity of the schools.
In Bridgend, several schools will soon be embracing the idea as part of £400,000-worth of funding that is set to support a variety of projects, with establishing forest schools being one of them.
The Forest Association, which provides advice about the initiative in the UK, defines a forest school as a “childcentred inspirational learning process, that offers opportunities for holistic growth through regular sessions”.
In the UK, there are mainly two ways the concept has been more normalised when it comes to education.
One is through private groups, which parents pay for outside of school hours.
And another, which is where children in some parts of Bridgend will soon be benefiting more from it, is where it is being introduced as part of their normal school curriculum.
The natural environment and learning outdoors play a significant role in the new Curriculum for Wales.
Sue Williams, team leader for health, education and natural resources at Natural Resources Wales, said: “We are thrilled that being outdoors is now recognised as equal to the indoor classroom, and outdoor learning is positioned as a central pedagogy which all settings will engage in.”
The schools which are going to be given funding to roll out the forest schools project include:
Archdeacon John Lewis Church in Wales Primary School, Bridgend;
Bettws Primary School and Ysgol Gynradd Gymraeg Calon Y Cymoedd (shared provision), in the Garw Valley;
Pyle Primary School, in the Kenfig Hill/Pyle/Cornelly area;
Llangynwyd Primary School, in the Llynfi Valley;
Ogmore Vale Primary School, in the Ogmore Valley;
Croesty Primary School, Pencoed; Nottage Primary School, Porthcawl; and
Tondu Primary School, in the Valleys Gateway.
And it’s not just in Bridgend where forest schools have become increasingly trendy. In 2021, the Forest School Association reported that of the 200+ forest schools surveyed, two-thirds said demand for their services had increased since March 2020.
Some research was also carried out in 2018 on a small cohort of children which examined the idea.
A group of 11 children attended weekly forest school and outdoor learning sessions over three years.
This study concluded that academic achievement was raised more than at the rate of their peers who did not attend weekly sessions.
One woman who knows first hand the benefits of youngsters exploring the outdoors is Nia Prosser, who has been running sessions in Margam, where children can learn to embrace nature.
She used to be a teacher, and has run her own forest school since 2019: Cwtsho Coed Forest School, where her mission statement is “nurturing a love of nature for life”.
Her work is not based in a school, but she has been teaching the concept of outdoor learning by running sessions which are led by the children, where they get to play freely, as well as the option of doing activities such as nature crafts, and parents can get involved too.
They even have a mud kitchen, swing, hammock, a stream to paddle in, and an acre of woodland to explore.
Nia said: “It’s all about getting children to be part of nature, and for it to be normal for them to be outside, and amongst the trees, and in amongst the bushes.
“The more normal it is, the more likely it is for them to have it be immersed in their lives when they are older.
“Lots of people have never heard of a forest school, and are keen to find out. And it is growing a little bit more now, with more forest schools popping up here and there, and more people are starting to hear about it.
“A lot of people might think we are just playing in the woods. They won’t always know the theory behind it and the kinds of things we get up to. I think it is a fantastic thing that funding has been given to schools in Bridgend because it just means there will be more of it, and more chance for children to explore the outdoors.”
Cllr Jon Paul Blundell, cabinet member for education at Bridgend council, said: “What a wonderful way for our schools to move forward and embrace the new Curriculum for Wales. Research shows how learning outdoors can lead to high levels of well-being, confidence and engagement, along with social, emotional and physical development.
“A forest school consultant has met with each of the named schools and is currently working on concept drawings. The consultant will continue to work closely with the schools to plan, establish and develop their grounds to create the forest schools.
“We are very grateful for this Welsh Government funding, enabling us to offer this outdoor provision to our learners and wider communities.”