At VivinaTUra we see Forest School as a space where anyone can explore and experiment with the wonders of the natural world. We deliver sessions and experiences for:
Learning through hearts and hands we will have fun with all that is nature and natural, from mud and water play to observing little creatures going about their business, from making things from natural material to playing games... and more!
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An opportunity to connect with yourself and others in nature, whilst learning new skills or rediscovering old ones, in a friendly and warm environment
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We offer bespoke sessions and packages for all ages, in our woodland or we can come to you!
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But, what is Forest School?
Forest School is a participant-centred, inspirational learning process. It offers opportunities for holistic growth over a long-term program of regular sessions. Sessions are informed and inspired by the cycles of the natural world making each session different, full of spontaneity, wonder and delight. There is a focus on play, exploration and supported risk taking to develop confidence and self-esteem through learner inspired, hands-on experiences in a natural setting.
Forest school is a process that reaches beyond knowledge-gathering, it helps learners develop socially, emotionally, spiritually, physically and intellectually. In Forest School, we create a safe, nurturing environment without judgement so learners are free to give things a try and take risks. The aim to inspire learners to develop a meaningful connection to our world and an understanding of how they fit within it. The approach to risk supports learners to challenge themselves, expanding their abilities by solving real-world issues. This in turn builds self-belief and resilience. Risk is not just the potential for physical harm, but something more holistic. Everything we do carries risk, we only grow by understanding and overcoming it. In this way, Forest School facilitates participants to become, healthy, resilient, creative and independent learners.
The spontaneity and flexibility inherent in Forest School is built on the foundation of a common set of principles, that ensure each learner gains the cumulative and lasting benefits which the experience of a good forest school programme can bring. |
- Forest School is a long-term process of regular sessions, rather than one-off or infrequent visits; the cycle of planning, observation, adaptation and review links each session.
- Forest School takes place in a woodland or natural environment to support the development of a lifelong relationship between the learner and the natural world.
- Forest School uses a range of learner-centred processes to create a community for being, development and learning.
- Forest School aims to promote the holistic development of all involved, fostering resilient, confident, independent and creative learners.
- Forest School offers learners the opportunity to take supported risks appropriate to the environment and to themselves.
- Forest School is run by qualified Forest School practitioners, who continuously maintain and develop their professional practice.
All Forest School participants are viewed as:
- Equal, unique and valuable
- Competent to explore & discover - Entitled to experience appropriate risk and challenge - Entitled to choose, and to initiate and drive their own learning and development |
- Entitled to experience regular success
- Entitled to develop positive relationships with themselves and other people - Entitled to develop a strong, positive relationship with their natural world |
What happens at forest school?
Our sessions start with welcoming participants in a circle in our woodland. We start with a greeting that aims to bring people together and make them feel at ease with eachother and the space they are in. When working with children all the transitions are marked by a song so as not to abruptly bring to an end whatever they might be engaged with. When working with children sessions usually last two hours and open with free play, followed by a seasonal activity which participants might choose to take part in or not. We always close by coming together and share our thoughts in some form, whether by showing to eachother what we have created, briefly commenting on how we feel, or what we would like to do next time. When working with adults we take a different approach which centers around the promotion of wellbeing and a choice of nature based activities.