Saplings Forest School (Primary Ages)

Weekly forest school programme for children aged 5+ who are flexi-schooled or home educated. Sessions take place weekly during term time.

**Please enquire for pricing details**

Mondays are our primary ages session.

Tuesdays are our secondary ages session.

Potential to add a second day, if children settle into the Monday/Tuesday sessions well.

During sessions forest schoolers develop new skills in fire lighting, wild crafts, tool use, conservation and woodland management. Learning together with others supports the development of new friendships and self directed education. We do not follow a curriculum but rather follow the children’s interests, using the beautiful woodland at Strunch Hill Wood, Doddington Estate, Lincoln LN6 4RU, as both setting and resource to inspire learning.

Places are limited to eight to ensure a small group of learners and to create a safe and inclusive setting for neurodivergent children. Parents and carers are not expected to stay, but we cannot provide 1:1 support so please contact us before booking if your child has specific needs. We often find that children who struggle in school really thrive in the outdoors and woodland environment. With this in mind this programme is developed to support children to develop resilience, communication skills, confidence and self esteem that supports them in other educational settings.

We also offer 1:1 therapeutic forest school programmes to work with children and young people in outdoor spaces, using activities that support holistic development to boost self esteem and overcome barriers to learning. All sessions take place at Doddington Estate; a beautiful woodland environment, year round and in all weather conditions.

We accept bookings from parents or schools. If you have questions about this programme or would like more information please drop us an email hello@landandleafcollective.org

This programme follows the six forest school principles. Forest School is a child-centred inspirational learning process, that offers opportunities for holistic growth through regular sessions. It is a long-term program that supports play, exploration and supported risk taking. It develops confidence and self-esteem through learner inspired, hands-on experiences in a natural setting.

What happens at forest school groups?

Forest school programmes are delivered in line with six guiding principles. which were agreed by the UK Forest School community in 2011.

WARNING - Your child is likely to get muddy; and enjoy it!

Principles and Criteria for Good Practice

Principle One:
Forest School is a long-term process of frequent and regular sessions in a woodland or natural environment, rather than a one-off visit. Planning, adaptation, observations and reviewing are integral elements of Forest School.

Principle Two:
Forest School takes place in a woodland or natural wooded environment to support the development of a relationship between the learner and the natural world.

Principle Three:
Forest School aims to promote the holistic development of all those involved, fostering resilient, confident, independent and creative learners.

Principle Four:
Forest School offers learners the opportunity to take supported risks appropriate to the environment and to themselves.

Principle Five:
Forest School is run by qualified Forest School practitioners who continuously maintain and develop their professional practice.

Principle Six:
Forest School uses a range of learner-centred processes to create a community for development and learning.

The sessions take place in a woodland at Strunch Hill Wood, Doddington Estate, Lincoln LN6 4RU, Lincolnshire. This is a well established woodland with a good diversity of trees, shrubs and plants allowing exploration and opportunities to learn about the environment.

Sessions take place year round and in all weathers. Please ensure to dress appropriately for the weather, bring along snacks or a packed lunch. We often cook a snack over the campfire in colder weather and tea and coffee is always available... bring a mug!

During forest school sessions we gather together to share stories, songs and explore the natural environment. We enjoy nature craft activities and games. Parent and child groups introduce children and families to nature play and activities based on forest school principles.

Groups for older children also include circle time and reflective time. Sessions are based around building confidence, developing skills and learning about the natural resources around us.

WARNING - Your child is likely to get muddy; and enjoy it!

Clothing requirements

Please ensure that you and your child/ren are dressed appropriately for the weather. Forest School will take place in all weathers excepting high winds or storms. If children are dressed inappropriately they will not be able to enjoy the session and fully experience the sessions.

Cold weather - loose thin layers that can trap warmth. Warm boots, hats, gloves and thick outer layer.
Wet weather - waterproof boots and outer layer. Hat and gloves.
Hot weather - thin clothes with arms and legs covered if possible i.e. leggings and t-shirt (to protect from scratches etc. Sunhat.

For safeguarding reasons, children must attend without a mobile phone, during our Home Education drop-off sessions. . The full policy is available below.