An introduction to Lyndon Green Junior Forest School

Lyndon Green Junior Forest School (LGJSFS) was established in Spring, 2011 and began its work in May of the same year.

The Forest School idea grew from a desire to provide a curriculum at Lyndon Green Junior School which developed and enhanced the use of the school grounds but which, up to that point, rarely featured in the curriculum. Through Forest School, the children attending Lyndon Green Junior School are able to develop a life long love and understanding of the natural environment, whilst developing the core purposes of the Forest School ethos - namely, development of self esteem, confidence and social skills.

Initially, children in Year 3 were nominated to take part in activities and after the approval from the Governing Body, the following year a range of activities were offered to the whole school. Groups of children were nominated to support other children in all areas of their personal, academic and spiritual development.

The philosophy which underpins the Forest School movement is to encourage and inspire individuals of any age from 3 years upwards, and any groups, through mastery of small, achievable tasks in a woodland environment, to grow in confidence and independence so that they are able to develop a sense of self worth. Children will acquire new skills as they are ready for them so that activities can maintain a degree of challenge and excitement, whilst remaining safe and controlled.

At LGJSFS a site is being developed using the perimeter of the school grounds formerly part of the garden area. The base camp is in an area of mature trees and the site includes the solar dome and reuses the former bog garden. Children from gardening club have helped to plant trees from the forestry commission to start the development of the site.

We are seeing over the years that Forest School is an inspirational, opinion changing and challenging opportunity, which will raise expectations and develop insights into individual learning styles and schemas. For the children they will feel valued and build their confidence and self esteem through the school learning dispositions of adventure, creativity, perseverance, positivity and hard work.