Forest School

In Year 6 we focus on introducing students to a woodland environment in which they might not have experienced before. We explore the dangers and reward of risk, and how it can be managed to be exciting. Basic identification skills are grasped and complex wildlife facts are learned. We then look at basic shelter structures and how we can build them using both natural and artificial materials. Within this unit there is a focus on the use of deadwood and not damaged living trees or damaging established habitats. We learn a variety of basic knots and the more confident children may want to include them in their outcomes. We begin the fire unit with the essential safety and management procedures, as well as how to build a successful fire in all conditions. Students learn how to use a flint and steel effectively and the structure of fuel required to be successful. They apply these skills to boil water in a storm kettle.

In Year 7 we look at the foundation of skills we developed in Year 6 and how we can support, enthuse and challenge our children further. We look at identification strategies and how children can support our Forest Management plan. We look at why we need shelter and take into consideration different scenarios when choosing the most appropriate style and structure of shelter. We look at more complex knots and how knots can support both natural and artificial materials within the shelter building unit. We introduce the use of knives and how they are an essential tool in woodland management, survival and games/crafts. Students develop their own skewers, darts, pegs and spatulas to sue throughout the rest of their time in the forest. The students then move onto their fires topic where we recap all the essentials form the previous year, but the final outcome is building and sustaining an effective fire in which they can cook their own food.