Forest School
Forest School Sessions
“We believe everybody should have regular, long-term access to a woodland or natural environment which provides them with inspirational and challenging outdoor learning opportunities.”
Pre-School On The Marsh Forest School is an optional enhancement to your childs learning that we offer alongside our Pre-School Sessions.
We believe everybody should have regular, long-term access to a woodland or natural environment which provides them with inspirational and challenging outdoor learning opportunities.
Forest School offers a learner centred approach, where participants can learn through self-directed play and exploration.
Participants who come to the woods with Pre-School On The Marsh will be given the opportunity to develop their curiosity, confidence, self-esteem, creativity, empathy, communication skills, knowledge of the natural environment and ability to assess risk.
Sessions are run on a Tuesday and Thursday morning, term time only.
We do not have any inside cover, therefore sessions can be cancelled in the case of strong winds. Please consider this before booking a forest school session with us.
Activities
Our activities will depend on the ability and experience of participants. Examples of Forest School activities include:
• Woodland management and nature exploration
• Building dens and other structures
• Fires and cooking
• Games and invitations for imaginative play
• Natural crafts
• Using tools, such as hatchets, saws, drills and potato peelers
• Scavenger hunts and adventure
• Tree climbing
• Pond dipping
• Bug hunting
• Crabbing
• Seasonal celebrations
We are very lucky to be situated next to the beautiful Stanpit Marsh Nature Reserve.
Stanpit Marsh is situated on the north side of Christchurch Harbour, just below the confluence of the rivers Avon and Stour. The 65 hectare site has an unusual combination of habitats including salt marsh with creeks and salt pans, reed beds, freshwater marsh, gravel estuarine banks and sandy scrub.
We are also very lucky to have the use of a small fenced off woodland area situated directly behind the Stanpit Marsh visitors centre to run our on site activities.
Forest School sessions are available to children who attend the Pre-School.
Children must be doing a minimum of two sessions in the Pre-School before a Forest school session can be booked as their third.
We have one intake per year for Forest School sessions in September. Your child must be three years old and fully toilet trained before the start of the Autumn term.
To Book a Forest School session please express your interest when booking your child’s Pre-School Sessions.
Forest School Sessions are very popular and waiting lists are in operation.
A Forest school kit is provided for your child to attend Forest school leaving you with only the basics to provide.
In the kit you will receive:
A Rucksack
Waterproof inner bag
Washing bag
Fleeced lined waterproof coat
Waterproof trousers
Long sleeved T-Shirt
Long sleeved sweatshirt
Tic removal kit
Forest school handbook
We will also supply gloves and hats on arrival
You will need to provide:
Thermal Base layers
Thick outside trousers (combats or jogging bottoms)
Thick socks
Wellington boots or walking boots
