St Katherine’s School & Nursery believes that Forest Schools provide children with opportunities to succeed and develop as individuals and also as part of a team.  With a holistic, child led approach children are encouraged to develop and succeed socially and emotionally, communicate freely with others, form trusting friendship and be given skills to overcome challenges and build resilience.

From September 2023 children across all year groups will have access to the Forest School which will be tailored to meet the needs, age and abilities.  The sessions will be delivered age and stage appropriate under the guidance of Miss Coates and Mrs Carruthers and other supporting adults, children will be able to test their own limits, take supported risks and challenge themselves at their own pace.  With opportunities to learn from exploring and having hands-on experience children can have time to immerse themselves in nature and gain a deeper understanding of the Forest School ethos.

Research shows that once a child is equipped with new skills and has found confidence within themselves they can transfer these new approaches to create a more positive mind-set back within the classroom.

St Katherine’s School & Nursery Forest School is situated within the school grounds and currently consists of well-established pine and silver birch trees. There is a number of recently planted deciduous trees such as hawthorn, rowan, and hazel which gives the site a woodland atmosphere.

There is also a round house made of sweet chestnut.  This is the centrepiece of our Forest School.  The campfire within the round house will provide us warmth and tasty treats and an area where the children can chat and share their thoughts about their experiences of the sessions. 

The pond and allotments will provide the children with an area to make bug hotels and enjoy the satisfaction of picking their own produce. As our Forest School comes alive over the next few years, you will see the site develop further. 

We have lots of wonderful ideas which we can’t wait to share with the children.   Forest School are about creating an individual journey.  We hope the children enjoy being at Forest School as much as we have, whilst creating our own journey.