Forest School

It has been shown to benefit all children with the following key areas of learning:

Experimentation, mistakes, repetition and improvements.
Risk management.
Improved speaking, listening and vocabulary.
Physical mobility and agility.
Increased self-confidence and awareness of the needs of others.
Increased knowledge and understanding of the natural world.
Learn knots, weaving, tool use, fire lighting and working with wood, plants and soil.
Problem solving and collaboration.
Increased focus and interest in learning.

Forest School at your site or our reserves run by our experienced Forest School Level 3 leaders.  

We design and deliver bespoke Forest School programmes to suit your setting, working with staff and assessing potential sites to ensure you have a Forest School programme that works for you. We provide all risk assessments and safety checks, tools, equipment and resources and have many years’ experience working with a range of clients including pre-schools, primary schools, home education groups and pupil referral units.

Choose from a six week, term or school year programme.

Essex Wildlife Trust's Outdoor Learning team offer a suite of Outdoor Learning Qualifications including Level 2 and Level 3 Forest School training and the Award in Outdoor Learning Level 2, to equip staff with skills to lead learning outdoors. The courses are all accredited by Agored Cymru (Wales OCN) and on qualifying, all trainees receive an electronic badge shown below. In addition, Essex Wildlife Trust offers Forest School skills days to provide ongoing professional career development for trained adults.

Extend your wraparound care with an Essex Wildlife Trust Forest School after school club at your setting.

We offer Forest School after school clubs for up to 17 children up to 5pm throughout the year at your setting. Our trained leaders offer half term programmes and provide all equipment to deliver the sessions and have years of experience delivering after school Forest School clubs throughout Essex.

Let them play! Drop off Forest School style days are available during holidays and family Forest School sessions during school holidays and weekends at our centres and nature reserves thoughout Essex.

Let them play and learn through nature in our beautiful nature reserves at weekly pre-school Forest School sessions during the week throughout Essex.

Bring your Forest School groups to our centres. Our trained Forest School leaders lead sessions to suit your needs in the beautiful settings of our nature reserves with established log circles and plenty of sustainably harvested natural resources. We provide all risk assessments, tools and resources and trained leaders to deliver your Forest School programme.