Outdoor education
Forest schools
The philosophy of Forest Schools is to encourage and inspire individuals of any age through positive outdoor experiences. Forest Schools training is run by Archimedes Training. A Forest School is an innovative educational approach to outdoor play and learning.
Participants develop
- self-awareness
- self regulation
- intrinsic motivation
- empathy
- good social and communication skills
- independence
- a positive mental attitude, self-esteem and confidence.
Forest Schools also encourage individuals, community groups and larger organisations to use local open spaces for play, health, recreation and personal development. To learn more, download Forest School: a natural way of learning, visit the Forest Schools website or email Christine Coburn who is the Forest Schools contact for Cornwall.
Forest Schools work at Upton Cross Primary School
Upton Cross Primary School used Forest Schools work for their Healthy Schools Plus project. They found that the Forest Schools programme had a markedly beneficial effect on the social and behavioural skills of certain children and that all children enjoyed the programme and benefited from it, read about their work.
Fieldfare Kielder Challenge
Thank you to Whitstone Head School for letting Cornwall Healthy Schools know about Fieldfare Kielder Challenge which is an inclusive national outdoor adventure competition. It involves outdoor problem-solving activities that test the skills of a team to work together, communicate, plan and evaluate. It is fully inclusive, with each team of eight 13 to 16 year-olds consisting of four with and four without disabilities. Inclusion of all is a key goal for each team and the challenge can help to build links between the special schools and mainstream schools. Penrice Community College and Doubletrees School are already involved. Go to the Fieldfare Kielder Challenge website for more information.
Council for Learning Outside the Classroom
The Council for Learning Outside the Classroom is a registered charity that exists to champion learning outside the classroom and encourage young people (0-19 years) to get out and about, because research shows that children learn best through real world, hands-on experiences. The Council took over responsibility for the Learning Outside the Classroom Manifesto in April 2009.
The Council believes that every child should be given the opportunity to experience life and lessons beyond the classroom walls as a regular part of growing up. These experiences expand the horizons of young people, opening their eyes to the wonders of areas such as art, heritage, culture, adventure and the natural world. The Council seeks to make sure that more young people have access to these life-changing educational experiences by providing support on the ground, facilitating the sharing of best practice and promoting the benefits of LOtC in raising attainment and aspirations, reducing truancy and re-motivating those who are disengaged from their education. Visit the Council for Learning Outside the Classroom.
