Home Ed Forest School, Team Retreats & Meeting Room in Private Woodland in Small Dole, West Sussex.
Home Ed Forest School Sessions
For home-educated primary-aged children aged 4+ and their parents/carers/siblings.
10am - 12:30 on Wednesdays.
09 Oct 2024, 10:00 – 23 Oct 2024, 12:30Small Dole, West Sussex10:00am - 12:30pm. Visit our beautiful woodland site, and enjoy delicious treats cooked over the fire. Sit and chat with new friends at our banquet table nestled under ancient Oaks.
This term we'll be using tools, foraging, swinging in trees, learning survival skills, cooking around the fire and playing games! We’ll be observing seasonal changes in the woods and go on a fungi hunt. We'll also use natural resources like conkers, acorns and colourful leaves to create art.
This session is for home-educated primary-aged children and their parents/carers/siblings.
Play with new friends, toast a snack over the fire and have fun in nature.
Parents/carers will need to stay at the site and are welcome to either join in the activities or sit at our lovely banquet table to relax, chat, or use the time to catch up on work or admin!
A mid-morning campfire snack will be provided but please bring extra snacks if needed and drinks to have around the fire at lunch time.
Children with SEND are very welcome. Please email us if you have any questions.
Please see our FAQs for further information.
'We love coming to your clubs. It's given my son a confidence boost, alongside being able to learn new things in a less pressured, friendly environment. As a child with SEN, you have been so flexible, kind and understanding, we really appreciate it!' Katie
What is Forest School?
Playing and learning outside improve children’s physical and emotional wellbeing and the forest school experience has been shown to be hugely beneficial for children with a range of emotional and developmental needs. Rather than using classroom resources and equipment, children can use natural materials found in the woodland and enjoy activities such as collecting sticks and leaves, tying knots, making dens, handling tools, using twigs to write in the mud, climbing trees, jumping across stones and building fires.
Benefits of Forest School
Forest school can help children to develop:
self-awareness
motivation
empathy
social skills
communication skills
independence
self-esteem and confidence
physical skills including the development of both gross and fine motor skills
problem solving and risk taking
resilience
concentration
knowledge and understanding of the world around them.
There is also a growing body of scientific evidence proving that just being in nature can have a direct positive physiological impact. This includes decreasing blood pressure and the stress hormone cortisol, reducing anxiety and boosting mood.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should my child and I wear to Forest School sessions?
Weather appropriate clothing that is fine to get dirty in! Long trousers and long sleeves are recommended and enclosed shoes to protect from prickles and, as there are deer in the woods, as protection from ticks.
Winter: Welly boots/ Hats/ Gloves/ Waterproof trousers and jacket
Summer: Trousers / Long Sleeve t- shirt/ Trainers (no sandals or flip flops)
Spring/ Autumn: Waterproofs if wet/ rain is forecast.
Trousers/ Long sleeve t-shirt/ Welly boots
Do sessions go ahead if rain is forecast?
Yes! Rain will not stop us having fun in the forest. We have a large parachute shelter to keep us dry. The only time sessions will be cancelled is if there are very high winds forecast. On these occasions, half of the cost of the session will be refunded which I believe is fair to both family and Forest School Leaders. Parents/carers should check emails prior to the event for updates prior to leaving in case of severe weather cancellations.
Will there be a trained First Aider on site?
Yes, all Forest School Leaders undertake regular 'First Aid in the Wilderness' training and qualifications.
Is there a toilet on site?
Yes, there is an eco compost toilet.
Is there running water at the woods?
No, but we do have a limited amount for hand washing. Therefore please bring a water bottle.
Do you have an enhanced DBS check to work with children?
Yes, all Forest School Leaders and Forest School Volunteers have current enhanced DBS checks which are updated every three years. I undertake regular safeguarding training and am fully insured.